Day 111

Joshua 22:21–23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 13:17-19

BEFORE THE ISRAELITES crossed the Jordan River, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh asked Moses if they could keep the land on the eastern side of the Jordan, because it was perfectly suited to their lifestyle. Moses granted the request, provided that the men of these tribes would cross into the Promised Land and fight alongside their brothers, and they agreed (Numbers 32:1-27).

As we move into the final chapters of the book of Joshua, these tribes fulfilled their obligation, and the men of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh were granted their leave. It was time to go back across the Jordan and establish their own homeland.

But rumors quickly reached the leaders of Israel. These eastern tribes had erected an imposing altar near the Jordan River, when there was to be but one altar to Yahweh held in common among all the chosen people. It was assumed that the returning eastern tribes were breaking covenant with the western tribes and, in the process, breaking covenant with God. They assembled in preparation to attack the eastern tribes and destroy them for this breach. Had they attacked based on rumor and assumption, the story would have turned tragic very quickly. Thankfully, they chose to verify their assumptions before proceeding, and sent envoys to get answers —and those answers changed the story considerably.

“The truth is,” the eastern tribes declared, “we have built this altar because we fear that in the future your descendants will say to ours, ‘What right do you have to worship the LORD, the God of Israel? The LORD has placed the Jordan River as a barrier between our people and you people of Reuben and Gad. You have no claim to the LORD.’ So your descendants may prevent our descendants from worshiping the LORD” (Joshua 22:24-25).

The altar had not been erected in rebellion to God after all, and it wasn’t made for worship. It had been made as a memorial reminder that they were brothers and sisters who belonged together.

Rumor and assumption are dangerous in all relationships —whether personal, national, or international. If we act on them without filling in the blanks with truth, assumption and rumor invite plausible fabrications of reality —a dangerous thing, indeed. Had the western tribes acted on their assumptions, Israel would have fallen into horrible civil war for no justifiable reason. The same damaging things happen when we act on our assumptions without taking time to hear the full story. Let’s learn from the ancient Israelites today and be sure we know the whole truth before we act on half of it.

MEDITATION:

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants. Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD.