Joshua 22

What stood out today:
1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you.
5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."
10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan.
34 And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us that the LORD is God.

My Response: Jesus, here again are a number of things that stand out. “For a long time you have carried out the mission of the Lord.” We are on mission with You. As the Father has sent You; You are sending us. And it is for a very long time, 2000 yrs… I love the reminder again to “be very careful to keep the commandment…” Jesus, I am so far from keeping Your commandments and laws, and ways. I am struck by the central Gospel theme in Ted Tripp’s book Shepherding a Childs Heart:
1) That we a dearly loved.
2) That God has high expectations.
3) That we are radically ruined, severely compromised by sin.
4) That Jesus came to pay the penalty, and lives that we have hope by life in Him and His life in ours.

Jesus, help me that my obedience would stand the tri-focal inspection of God. That I am not just doing the “what He says” but also the “why” and the “how;” for His Glory and by Your power.

And then, “the imposing altar” that the Reubenies, Gadites and half tribe of Manesseh built, and how that concerned the other 10 tribes of Israel that You would be offended. They remembered Achan’s sin and Peor, that the sin of one has consequences for the whole community. Jesus, how does this apply today, with our country, with Bucks County Furniture? “Rick, I have given you ways to deal with individuals: Micah 6:8 and Matthew 18.” Yes Jesus, the Israelites did this too, they went and talked first. Jesus, help me this week as we help Bill and John. Help me walk with my brothers as one who is severely wounded by sin too…