You Show Me Yours, I’ll Show You Mine
April 28, 2021 at 1:08 pm | Posted in James | 3 CommentsTags: commentary on James, devils, James 2, Jesus Christ, living faith, salvation by faith, salvation by grace, Sunday School lessons on James, theism
The world has come up with a hazy, muddled classification for someone who believes in some type of god, but wants no part of the One True and Living God of the Christian Bible: theist. A “theist” is supposedly a person who believes in some higher being. This is contrasted with a professing “atheist,” who pretends to believe there is no God.
There is no great blessing in being a theist, unless you are truly a Christian. Every devil in the universe is a theist.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:19
These devils even go so far as to tremble at the thought of the greatness of God, which is more than can be said for most human theists.
The ultimate difference between a true Christian and a theist is the condition of their hearts. Christians have received the gift of regeneration from God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and have been given a new heart that is capable of responding to God’s love, and of producing good works from a God-pleasing motive of true love for others.
Theists may point out that if Christianity is merely professing the idea of faith in God, they can meet that definition with ease. But let us who are truly Christians remember, although we are not Christians because of our good works or any intrinsic merit, certainly God’s gift of saving faith ought to be evident in, and the motivation of, a great many good and God-honoring works.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:18
Who Chose Whom?
April 26, 2021 at 2:55 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 4 CommentsTags: chosen in Christ, commentary on John, Divine choice, John 13, John 14, John 15, predestination, Sunday School lessons on John, the Apostles, the Disciples
Question: My question is about John 15:16, where Jesus said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” I know that I chose Jesus when I accepted Him as my Savior, so you can’t say that this means Jesus chooses to save some people and not others. I just think He was talking to the 11 remaining Disciples (after Judas left), meaning that He chose them specifically to be His Apostles. What do you think about that?
Answer: I think that you are not alone in taking that position. I have read some Bible commentaries that agree with you. However, it is important to remember the context. If Jesus decided, at that moment, to make a statement directed only to the Discples who were in His immediate presence at that time, and one that did not apply to all His future disciples like you and me, it would have been a very strange time and way to do it. John 15 is part of the same discourse that began back in Chapter 13, and follows hot on the heels (pun intended) of Jesus washing the Disciples’ feet in a demonstration of how His followers are supposed to love and serve each other. Surely you don’t think that applied only to the 11 Disciples and not to us today. Then, in Chapter 14 Jesus gave them the assurances of Heaven, peace, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. Surely you don’t think those great blessings were only for the 11 Disciples. And Chapter 15 is about Jesus being the True Vine, and how His followers must abide in Him in order to bear spiritual fruit to the glory of God. This is obviously directed to us today, as well as to them then. I’m not sure why anyone would want to isolate the statement about Jesus choosing us, rather than us choosing Him, unless you have a bone to pick with the idea that Jesus deserves all the credit for saving us, and that we contribute nothing meritorious to our own salvation. That would be a logical fallacy known as “special pleading.”
I don’t want to dissuade you from believing that, in a sense, when you were saved you chose Jesus, but the testimony of Scripture is clear that, before you chose Him, He chose you, and that the only reason you chose him is because He first chose you (Ephesians 1:4-5; II Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 9:15; I John 4:10). While it might have seemed at the time like you were “accepting” Jesus, I can assure you that Jesus does not need any human being’s “acceptance.” He commands people to trust in Him, and He must empower them to do it, or else they won’t (Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; Romans 8:7-8; John 1:12-13).
Forestalling a Foolish Fight and Facing a Final Farewell
April 22, 2021 at 2:18 pm | Posted in I Samuel | 5 CommentsTags: 1 Samuel 25, 1 Samuel 26, 1 Samuel 27, 1 Samuel 28, 1 Samuel 29, 1 Samuel 30, commentary in 1 Samuel, Nabal, Saul, Sunday School lessons on 1 Samuel
In I Samuel Chapter 25 Samuel died, then David requested help from Nabal in feeding his men. David’s army had been protecting Nabal’s flocks, but Nabal was very insulting toward David.
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
I Samuel 25:3
And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
I Samuel 25:3
In Verses 17 amd 25 Nabal is called a son and a man “of Belial,” a name sometimes used in the Bible to refer to “worthless” or wickedly vain men, and sometimes to refer to Satan. Nabal, in his pride and self-centeredness, certainly sounded like Lucifer:
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
I Samuel 25:11 (emphasis added)
Abigail was wise even though she was married to a fool (two things she has in common with my wife). She saved both Nabal and David in a sense, but Nabal had a stroke and died.
For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
I Samuel 25:34
Verse 34 sounds awkward and embarassing to modern ears, and other translations try to avoid this by substituting the designation of “men” for those who are able to relieve themselves against a wall while standing up, but the King James Version preserves the more literal translation and helps us to understand that, while David did mean all the men there, he was also letting everyone know that, if his enemies (and God’s enemies) insisted on forgetting that “their” property was really God’s property, and marking their territory like dogs, they might very well be treated the way David treated the uncircumcised, unclean, and blasphemous, Yahweh-denying Goliath.
In Chapter 26 Saul went into the wilderness after David, but ended up getting caught sleeping.
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
I Samuel 26:7
There he was, “hiding among the stuff” again, and the Lord caused a “deep sleep” to come over Saul (reminiscent of Adam). David took Saul’s spear, and they spoke their last words to each other.
In Chapters 27-30 David ended up in Philistine territory, deceiving the Philistine king, while fighting against the Philistines and the Amalekites, and while the Philistine armies waged the battle in which Saul and Jonathan died. Saul consulted a witch and committed suicide on the battlefield. His body was beheaded and was hung on a wall before some valiant men retrieved it and brought it back for a proper burial.
The Real Avengers
April 19, 2021 at 1:12 pm | Posted in Joshua | 2 CommentsTags: avenger of blood, city of refuge, commentary on Joshua, due process, Joshua 20, manslaughter, negligent homicide, sanctuary cities, Sunday School lessons on Joshua, The Avengers
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
Joshua 20:2
These cities of reguge were not the same as what liberal-run cities in America today call “sanctuary cities.”
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Joshua 20:3
These were designated for cases of manslaughter or negligent homicide. When carelessness causes the death of a loved one, that carelessness is not usually seen as a forgivable justification by the victim’s family. A kinsman redeemer even had an obligation to hunt down and exact vengeance on a person who had murdered his family member. Such a person who had carelessly but unintentionally or accidentally killed someone could flee to one of these cities. There were more than one, so the flight from hasty vengeance would have been a reasonable distance. Upon arrival at a city of refuge, the perpetrator could receive some level of protection until the case could be investigated or heard.
And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
Joshua 20:4-5
The person who had committed premediated or intentional murder was not to be harbored. An assembly or council of elders held sort of a trial or inquiry, and if the accused was deemed ineligible for the death penalty, he had to stay in the city until the death of the current High Priest.
And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
Joshua 20:6
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
Joshua 20:9
There were six of these cities of refuge. Sometimes justice warrants vengeance, but unwarranted vengeance only adds injustice to an already tragic situation. We may draw an analogy to the Gospel in this picture of justice, escape, refuge, and, ultimately, redemption.
The sinner (who has sinned against God) is in line for God’s retributive justice, but, if he realizes his crime, he may flee. In a sense, he is fleeing from God, but this is hopeless, so his only possible safe option is to flee to the place of refuge appointed by God. You flee God’s justice by fleeing to God, but He does not cease to be just. No, blood must be shed because the law has been broken. The relationship between holy God and sinful men is polluted, just as the land of Canaan would be polluted by sinfully shed blood. So, someone must die. Perhaps the High Priest in the prescription set forth in Joshua 20 was a shadow of the Christ Who was to come. Only His death allows the manslayer (the sinner) to be truly set free.
Does James Contradict Romans?
April 14, 2021 at 2:30 pm | Posted in James | 4 CommentsTags: commentary on James, commentary on Romans, James 2, Luke 7, Romans 3, Romans 4, saved by faith, Sunday School lessons on James, Sunday School lessons on Romans, works righteousness
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:14
Does James contradict Romans?
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:28
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:5
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:24
Are true Christians saved by faith (Romans) or saved by works (James)? The short answer is that true Christians are saved by God, but the real question is what is the MEANS of our justification?
Some misunderstandings are caused be a failure to define terms. An Englishman and an American arguing over “football” would need to have an understanding that Americans call English football soccer. A player on my little league team once told me, “Coach, you’re the bomb,” and I wasn’t sure if he meant I was explosive, or if I had done a bad job like a comedian at whom nobody laughs, but it turns out he was saying that I was a good coach. If somebody says, “You rock,” it helps to know if he is referring to an old fashioned chair, an electric guitar, or if he is saying you are awesome. When it comes to “justification,” that term can have different meanings, too, but, theologically, justification is the act of God, Who, by grace, declares sinners who have believed on Jesus Christ, to be righteous. The “method” of this type of justification is by faith, but there is another kind of justification which is seen as being “before men.”
But wisdom is justified of all her children.
Luke 7:35
All “wisdom” is wise by nature, but not all wisdom is recognized as wise until men see the results – the outcome of wisdom’s children after they have followed its way.
The Book of Romans uses Abraham to show righteousness imputed by belief. James uses Abraham to show that belief becomes apparent in action – in obedience – in active obedience.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:21
Romans uses Genesis 15; James uses Genesis 22. Would Isaac have believed, or would Abraham’s servants have believed, God’s promise if Abraham had not obeyed God by intending to kill Isaac? Salvation – justification in the sight of God – happens by faith. However, justification in the sight of men becomes evident through works. If a professing Christian encounters a person who is hungry and cold, mere faith or belief will not feed or clothe that person. James goes past the outward profession and seeks to describe a complete (perfect) picture of what has really happened on the inside of a person who has trusted Christ unto salvation.
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:22
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:19
If the devil disguised himself, he might be allowed to join most Christian churches today. He believes Jesus is the Son of God. He has known Him for a long time (much longer than anybody in your church). He knew Him before the Incarnation. He believes in the Virgin Birth. He believes Jesus died on the Cross. He believes in the Resurrection. He understands what baptism means and would probably would even do it himself. He would promise to be a good churchman. He would go to budget meetings. He would stand right by the pastor in the congregation. He would join the choir and the band. He would get together with the servant leaders. However, he would not stop causing problems for people. He would not stop trying to hurt the work of God. He would not sincerely bow down and worship Christ as Savior and Lord. He might say he would or make an outward show, but he is a liar.
A dead body still looks a lot like a living body at first glance, but closer inspection reveals the problem. Faith that won’t work looks like dead faith.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:26
Rewards in Heaven?
April 12, 2021 at 11:05 am | Posted in Biblical treasure, Uncategorized | 1 CommentTags: Biblical crowns, Biblical rewards, Heavenly Crowns, Heavenly rewards, rewards
Question: What rewards will Christians receive in Heaven? And why would we be concerned with treasure when there will be only joy and no sadness or crying?
Answer: Matthew 5:12, 6:1, 10:42, 16:27; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:23, I Corinthians 3:14, II John v. 8, and Revelation 22:12 all talk about rewards in a way that seems to connect them to what we will experience either in Heaven or at Jesus’s return.
Matthew 6:19-21, 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 12:33, 18:22 all mention treasure in Heaven.
I Corinthians 9:25, II Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, Revelation 2:10, and 3:11 all mention crowns in a way that makes it seem like some believers may receive crowns in Heaven or after Jesus comes back.
It seems clear that Heavenly rewards are intended as a secondary motivation to serve Jesus faithfully during our earthly life – although what He has done for us on Calvary and in saving us really ought to be all the motivation we need.
Because we do not earn our way to Heaven, it can be confusing to think that we are being given any type of a reward, but there is probably a sense in which, one day, those who have served Christ more faithfully than others may be given greater blessings in Heaven than other believers. I do not think, though, that this applies primarily to material things. After all, what good would gold and silver be in Heaven, anyway? They pave the streets with that stuff up there! I think the idea is that, during the Millennial Kingdom when Christ rules and reigns on earth for 1000 years, those believers who were like the faithful servants in Luke 19:11-27 will be given more authority during that time.
Of course, we find it difficult to imagine being sinless, so we think that, if we see someone who has more authority, or more treasure, or greater rewards, or a better crown, then we will be at least a little envious or covetous, thus spoiling some of the joy of Heaven or Christ’s earthly kingdom, but that won’t be the case. When sin is not present, we will rejoice for those who experience greater blessings than us. Jonathan Edwards compared it to two different-sized containers being thrown into the sea. One container holds more water than the other, but both quickly become just as “full.”
If my view of the end times is correct (though not everyone believes the Millennial Kingdom view), then I imagine a faithful servant like my wife will get a huge mansion on an estate with a pool. Because she’s been so faithful to Christ, she’ll probably be the Millennial Governor of the Southern U.S. or something like that, and, because I’ve often been a faulty and neglectful servant, I’ll just be her pool boy. But, really, in the grand scheme of things, just seeing Jesus in person and knowing Him more and more will be a greater “reward” than anyone could ever imagine, and no one will feel slighted in any way. Besides, who wouldn’t want to be the pool boy for a beautiful and powerful lady?
Wicked Does as Wicked Is
April 8, 2021 at 3:23 pm | Posted in I Samuel | 8 CommentsTags: 1 Samuel 18, 1 Samuel 19, 1 Samuel 20, 1 Samuel 24, commentary in 1 Samuel, David and Saul, John 8, sin nature, Sunday School lessons on 1 Samuel
One similarity among three well-known Bible characters, Ishmael, Jacob, and Joseph, is that their entrances into their families did not create problems in those families, but rather revealed problems that already existed. Likewise, David did not create problems for Saul. His presence revealed the problems that were already there.
And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed [but] thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
I Samuel 18:8
I Samuel Chapter 19 Saul went from first wanting to HAVE David killed to actually trying to do it himself.
And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
I Samuel 19:21-22
In I Samuel Chapter 20 David went into exile.
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.
I Samuel 20:16
There is a picture of the Gospel in the blood covenants of the Old Tesatment.
In I Samuel Chapter 21 David was mostly hiding out, but he was seen by Doeg being helped by the High Priest Ahimelech. In Chapter 22 Saul allowed Doeg to kill Ahimelech, and most of Eli’s priestly family was wiped out. In Chapter 23 David, with only 600 men, rescued Keilah, a walled city, from the Philistines, and moved into it. Saul went there with his army to capture David, but David learned that Saul was on his way, so he went on the run again and wound up settling down in the wilderness.
In I Samuel Chapter 24 Saul went into a cave to relieve himself, and it just so happened to be the cave where David was hiding. Instead of killing Saul, David cut off a piece of his robe.
Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
I Samuel 24:10-11
David did not quote the proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” but he did quote another proverb:
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
I Samuel 24:13
Saul was an Old Testament example of someone in bondage to sin and to his own sinful nature.
They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
John 8:33-34
Saul did wicked things because he WAS wicked – he had a wicked nature – but David had passed a test by not killing Saul.
Arrayed, Dismayed, and Afraid
April 5, 2021 at 3:11 pm | Posted in I Samuel | 2 CommentsTags: 1 Samuel 17, 1 Samuel 2, Biblical battles, Biblical fear, commentary in 1 Samuel, David, David and Goliath, fear of God, Saul, Sunday School lessons on 1 Samuel
I Samuel Chapter 17 is an especially well-known chapter of God’s Word. It contains the true historical account of David and Goliath. You may remember this tale fondly from childhood Sunday School, but it contains innumerable and invaluable lessons for Christians of all ages.
One thing that stands out is the number of times the Holy Spirit tells us that the armies, both of the Philistines and the Israelites, were “in array” (Verses 2, 8, 21). The Hebrew word is arak, and it means “arranged” or “placed in a special order.” The king of the army of the Philistines and the king of the army of the Israelites (Saul) both had plans in mind for how the battle was supposed to go.
However, we might wonder how confident Saul was in his military arrangement. When Goliath the Philistine giant stepped forward to taunt the Israelite army and their God, the Bible tells us that King Saul was “dismayed” (Verse 11). In fact, both he and his army were dismayed and afraid. The Hebrew word for dismayed is chathath, and it describes someone who trembles with such fear that it is as if he has shattered into pieces and is utterly useless.
When David comes onto the scene, he is indignant that this uncircumcised heathen giant would dare to mock the One True and Living God of Israel. David, who will eventually replace Saul as king, is neither arrayed, dismayed, nor afraid. He sees Goliath as an infuriating fool with a head full of rocks, and through the strength, power, and providence of God, David is determined to add one more rock to the giant’s hard head (Verse 49).
Samuel, the prophet after whom I Samuel is named, was used by God to anoint both Saul and David as king, in their turns. In Chapter 2, Samuel’s mother, Hannah, had spoken prophetically when she praised the Lord like this:
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
I Samuel 2:10
The word for “broken to pieces” was chathath, the same word translated “dismayed” in Chapter 17. King Saul was broken with fear of Goliath because He did not fear God. David chopped Goliath into pieces because he ONLY feared God.
Your Lot in Life
April 2, 2021 at 12:45 pm | Posted in Joshua | 3 CommentsTags: Canaan, casting lots, commentary on Joshua, fate, Joshua 18, randomness, sovereignty of God, Sunday School lessons on Joshua, the promised land
Have you ever resigned yourself to some less-than-ideal circumstance by sighing, “I guess this is just my lot in life?” Your “lot in life” is a common expression used to express the idea that “fate” or “destiny” or “chance” has assisgned certain places, circumstances, and even people for you to deal with, whether you like it or not. As Christians, however, we ought to know that a loving, all-wise, and sovereign God (not fate, destiny, chance, or luck) is supremely in control of all the details of our existence, and that, whether we say “that’s just the way the cookie crumbles” or “it is what it is” with a grin, a groan, a grimace, or glee, God’s assingment of our lot in life is always serving His ultimate glory and our ultimate good.
Joshua 18 and 19 give us some principles that we can learn from the lots that determined the boundaries and sections of the tribes of Israel in the land of Canaan.
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
Joshua 18:1
We can tell from the opening verse in Chapter 18 that there is going to be a theme of unity. If you belong to a local Christian church you may from time to time feel a sense of frustration at the dividing-up of various groups according to age or status in life: the “children’s ministry;” “the teen group;” “the senior saints;” “the men’s activity;” “the young married class;” “the college and career singles;” and so on. Sometimes we wish there were more occasions when “the whole congregation” of our local church would assemble together.
It’s one thing to be a church member or to have a church home, but it’s another thing to be actively involved in service. Shiloh would be the new center for worship for God’s people in Canaan. It was time for them to stop being a nomadic nation. They were divided by tribes, and the tribes were assigned separate sections of land, but they were still supposed to be unified in their singular worship of Yahweh.
Joshua 18:1 says that the land was subdued before them, but this means that the Canaanite resistance had been broken, not that the conquest was complete. Clean-up operations still needed to be done and settlements needed to be established, even though this could be done by individual tribes in their own inheritance-sectors without the need for all of Israel to fight together against large Canaanite coalitions.
And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?
Joshua 18:2
This was said in love, but it was – make no mistake about it – a scolding, and a reminder for us, too, not to get lax. Praise the Lord for faithfulness on the part of His people (the habitual practice of Christian diligence). Praise Him for security and the assurance that, as Christians, we belong to Him, and, hopefully, to a local church. Praise Him for the joy of kept promises. But do not get “slack” in continuing to act on those promises and in seeking new challenges and in continuing the work of accomplishing victory for God’s Kingdom.
21 men (three from each of the remaining seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been specified) surveyed the land and made a map. Then, notice how the sections were chosen for the particular tribes.
Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the Lord our God.
Joshua 18:6 (emphasis added)
And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the Lord in Shiloh.
Joshua 18:8 (emphasis added)
And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.
Joshua 18:10 (emphasis added)
This selection by apparently “random” (although “random” is a misnomer when we are talking about the providence and/or sovereign decrees of God) lots was important for a couple of reasons. First, it would have seemed more fair to the people. It would have cut off allegations of favoritism. Second, it reminded them that God was in charge and that this whole operation of conquering and taking Canaan had been designed and carried out under His perfect supervision, and that this oversight would not cease as they occupied the land.
We must remember this, too. God’s salvation sought you and bought you without any merit on your own part. Likewise, there is nothing really random about your birthdate, the selection of your spouse, your job, your ministry calling, your address, or your church home.
The Deep End 
The Wisdom of Investigating Potential Problems
April 30, 2021 at 1:20 pm | Posted in Joshua | 3 CommentsTags: apostasy, church discipline, commentary on Joshua, Joshua 22, Old Testament altars, Phinehas, pursuing peace, Sunday School lessons on Joshua
The only proper response to God’s flawless faithfulness to us is wholehearted faithfulness in Him.
Joshua 22:1
These were the tribes who had crossed the Jordan River to help in the conquest of Canaan even though they already possessed their own land on the eastern side of the river.
Joshua 22:2
Joshua commended and encouraged them, but he also exhorted them.
Joshua 22:3-5
God had been faithful to them; now they must be faithful to Him.
Joshua 22:10-12
These eastern tribes went home to build an altar. The western tribes heard about it and assumed the worst: that the eastern tribes were going to worship Yahweh their own way rather than the way He had prescribed, and that they must be stopped. Some commentators see in this incident a warning against acting upon rumors or acting rashly in anger, but that’s not really what happened.
The western tribes sent a delegation. headed by a man named Phinehas, to investigate.
Joshua 22:13-16
However, it turned out that the eastern tribes had built an altar to guard against the exact thing of which they had been suspected. They wanted a visible and prominent reminder to worship the true God even though they were cut off by geographical distance from the rest of God’s people. This is an example to emulate, not evade. Zealous vigilance against the danger of apostasy (remember Achan) actively sought the truth and found Godly brothers already unified around that very truth. The avoidance of strife and the activation of joy was the result.
Joshua 22:30-34
Could it be that we cause more trouble by our reluctance to actively seek church discipline than we would by aggressively pursuing it as lovers of truth?