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What an ironic week to talk about peace, huh? Even as I write this, there are people in Iraq (and around the world) fighting for their very lives... many without a clue what their real reason for fighting truly is. I had considered postponing this message of our current fruit of the spirit in light of this situation, but decided, instead, to delve into the matter, yet keep the message as to-the-point as possible.
As Hubert Humphrey once said: Peace is not passive, it is active. Peace is not appeasement, it is strength. Peace does not 'happen,' it requires work. That refers to peace on a grand scale. When nations butt heads over something, diplomacy is not always the only option, and sadly, violence breaks out. David was the king of Israel that God found to be the most like himself and he seemed to be at war all the time! So I don't believe the peace mentioned in the fruits of the spirit is the same as the peace that people are protesting for.
For our purposes, peace is the fruit, or the effect, of a person's trust in God. The world may seem to be coming down. Change is imminent, and most people I know don't necessarily like change. Remember, though, this world is balanced on God's timetable, not ours. He has a hand in every step that is made and absolutely nothing can happen unless He allows it. Remember this and be at peace. Peace that passes all understanding.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here and here.
It is mentioned that Joshua was getting old five years after the entrance into the promised land. Of course, God still was fighting the battles for the Israelites and removing the people who were occupying their land, that explains the 31 kingdoms defeated as mentioned last chapter. The Bible mentions the lands inherited by each tribe.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here and here.
The earlier mention in the laws that the boundary markers were not to be moved seems a bit more powerful now that the land is in the possession of the Israelites. Boundary markers of land promised to wanderers doesn't seem as great, but in a land flowing with milk and honey, it takes on new meaning. You know, if they had driven out or killed all of the inhabitants as they were instructed, they wouldn't have had the difficulties mentioned in the ending of this reading.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here and here.
Finally the land is divided and the people are happy. There are a few mentions of difficulty in the process, but it doesn't sound too bad. Of course, when you choose to obey or disobey God, the repercussions will continue for a long time.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here and here.
As mentioned earlier, the cities of refuge were named and the Levites were given their cities and pastureland from the other tribes. Our God is an awesome God and true to his word in every promise He makes. He always has been. He always will be.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here and here.
Apparently the problems that the people had brought upon themselves. They were ready to attack the tribes who built their own unauthorized alter. They also were wise enough to inquire about said alter before attacking. Way to go, guys!
Years later, Joshua felt the age beginning to overtake him and he blessed the Israelites and renewed the covenant with God. I'm sure I've heard a version of this quote before:
"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD . But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD ." Joshua 24:14-15 NIV
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here and here.
This next book of the Bible is named Judges. Judges are only necessary when the people go astray. I'm not very optimistic about this group of Israelites we've followed for the last 50+ years, but we'll see how they did.
The driving of the Canaanites continued on, but it sounds like the Israelites had gotten a bit soft in some areas. They allowed many of their enemies to stay and work forced labor. I'm no war-monger, but God had been so explicit with them! The message from the angel that appeared to them made this clear. The sinfulness of the Israelites began again in earnest in the following generation and each generation was worse than the one before it. True to his word, God began to allow the neighboring nations to harass them and their troubles multiplied just as their sins did.
These judges would be the voice of God to the people and they would act on the behalf of the Israelites, whether they were judging them or their enemies. So far, the judges only come when the people have been overpowered by another nation for some time and finally plead with God for deliverance.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here and here.
Not all of the judges were male. Deborah was deciding the disputes for a time and led a very one-sided war against overwhelming odds. It's sad that the men wouldn't go unless led by her, especially when you consider the lack of respect women got in that era. Nonetheless, the battle was won and Israel had peace again after returning to the Lord.
Gideon is a hero of the Bible that isn't heard of as much as others. What did he do to earn this acclaim? How did he get the lucrative Bible-in-the-hotel-room spinoff? (just kidding) It all started with a command from God to tear down the family alter to a false god and using a symbol of one of the family's other gods as firewood for an alter to the Lord. That took some guts! God had plans for this man and didn't mind showing him no less than 3 times that this was a message from Himself.
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