In the book of Joshua, we learned how Eleazar’s son Phinehas and ten princes asked the tribe of Reuben, Gad and one-half the tribe of Manasseh, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, … Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity, then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel, the LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knows, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,) That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-four of Joshua we learn how the Reubenites, Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh said, “if we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering” where we read,
And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have you to do with the LORD God of Israel?
The verse reads, “And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and if we have not rather done it” which means “and whether and in case we, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh, have in no way or manner performed, erected and built the altar” “for fear of this thing” or “on behalf of anxiety, anxious care, heaviness or sorrow”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Joshua or the writer shared how the Reubenites, the Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh presented the idea that they built the altar on behalf of anxiety and sorrow, the following would happen.
The verse goes on to say, “… In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have you to do with the LORD God of Israel?” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “in time to come” which means “within the future or tomorrow” “your children might speak unto our children” or “your, Phinehas, the ten princes and the congregation of Israel’s, offspring and progeny could utter, declare and proclaim to our, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh’s, offspring and progeny”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “what have you to do with the LORD God” or “whatsoever purpose and cause have you, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh, with Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God the Supreme Deity” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”? Joshua or the writer shared how the Reubenites, the Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh were concerned that the offspring of “Israel” might wonder what cause the Reubenites, the Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh have with Jehovah God.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn more about why the Reubenites, the Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh erected the altar before they entered and possessed their inheritance. They said in the future the offspring of Israel might question what reason or cause they have with Jehovah God. We shall see more about this in our next verses, but for now let us be mindful that the Reubenites, the Gadites and the one half tribe of Manasseh’s intentions and concerns were valid. God alone knows our true relationship with Him, and because He knew we all have sin in our lives which separates us from Him, (See Romans 3:23; 6;23) He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the grave after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live our lives as an “altar” of witness to others who observe us. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8)
Next time we learn how they answered, “the LORD has made Jordan a border between us and you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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