Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Joshua got the fighting men from Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh together and gave them a reminder of what they had been called to, what Moses had commanded them to do, and what they were a part of. He congratulated them for their honouring of their word. They have been fighting and observing the obligations of the covenant they made with Moses for years now (at least five). It was now the time for them to go back home to the territory they had been given on the other side of the Jordan. He warned them to carefully obey the Law God gave Moses. He blessed them and sent them off.

As they were going on the way, they stopped before they crossed the Jordan. There they built a VERY impressive and VERY large altar that would be CLEARLY seen from their side of the Jordan. Once it was built, they crossed over and went into their territory. The rest of the tribes of Israel heard about this and got quite upset. So upset that they gathered all the tribes on this side of the Jordan at Shiloh (where the tabernacle was) and got ready to go to war against Reuben, Gad, and that half tribe of Manasseh. They sent Phinehas the son of the high priest (he had proved zealous in extreme circumstances before and they figured he wouldn’t let anything slide – Numbers 25:7-13). Off he went with ten chiefs, one from every tribe.

They got to the two and a half tribes (sounds like a sitcom, doesn’t it?) and demanded to know the deal. They wanted to know why an altar? Were they going to turn away from following the Lord? Were they going to follow the Baals like when the Israelites turned at Peor and sinned? Or were they going to sin in disobedience like Achan did (Joshua 7:20-25). Were they going to bring down the judgment of God on everyone? They demanded answers.

Why were they so upset? Well, in Deuteronomy 12:27 it is clear that there should ONLY be an altar in the tabernacle. In Exodus 34:13 they had been charged to destroy every altar in the land that wasn’t in the tabernacle – with the implication that they weren’t to make any either. The ONLY exception (Deuteronomy 27:4-8) was when they first crossed the Jordan and were commanded to sacrifice and set up memorial stones to renew the covenant at Gilgal. After that singular event they were to worship and sacrifice using altars ONLY at the altar of the tabernacle. That’s why they wanted to know about this one.

The answer was simple. The two and a half tribes had made such an out-sized altar NOT for worship, but as a visible marker. Something seen from afar off to remind them they were part of Israel. Part of the covenant. Something their kids would ask about and give opportunity to tell the story of who they are and who they were connected to. Phinehas and the others accepted that and the crisis was averted.

Interestingly, the altar in the tabernacle was a shadow of Jesus. A witness to the effectiveness of His blood. A testament to the unity we have in Him. The Jordan altar, on the other hand, was bloodless. It’s purpose was to be SEEN, To remind a separated people of their role and status in the larger society they belonged to – while remaining divided. To comfort them and to help them be satisfied in their division. Remember, they had been meant to enter and be part of the whole. This altar was like a badge so they could salve their consciences as they lived in their HUMAN choice. The fruit of their behaviour over time (1 Chronicles 5:25; Matthew 7:20) shows the fullness of their departure from the core values of the worship of God. They themselves became bloodless (Matthew 8:28-34).

“And it happened, after a long time, after Yahweh had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and after Joshua was old and well-advanced in years” (Joshua 23:1)

Twenty-five years ago, Joshua was told by God he was old. Now he was well-advanced (110 years). Here he gives his farewell speech. In it he exhorts them to keep the book of the Law. Not that it is given in SINGULAR. Moses’ scroll was a single piece making up the Law (Genesis to Deuteronomy). It wasn’t many pieces cobbled together over time. A single work by a single author.

Joshua’s speech to Israel through the clan heads, judges, and officials was a call to dedicate themselves. For them to wholly follow God because they couldn’t even trust themselves to stay true (look at their history thus far since Egypt). He was reminding them (and a little commanding them) that without a connection with God and keeping Him and His Law first place, they would never make it. He was reminding them that they NEEDED God (as do we all). He didn’t just remind them of the cost of rebellion and turning away, he also reminded them of the blessing and good from obeying God. He balanced it and encouraged them strongly to choose to be faithful.

Summary

Key Players: God, Joshua, Phinehas

Key Themes: Honouring Obligations, Proper Worship, Obedience

Key Verse(s): Joshua 22:1-5, 10, 13-14, 34; 23:1-2, 14-16