Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Joshua 22-24, Judges 2: 6-9
After reading today's portion of scripture, the first chapter (22) that I read gave me a good reminder about judgement.
The thing I took note of was how quickly the rest of the Israelites were ready to kill the 2 1/2 tribes that were going back to the east side of the Jordan River, after they had built an alter before crossing back. The tribes in Canaan assumed that this alter was to another god and therefore in direct disobedience to the one true God, who had just saved them from many enemies.
22:12 "the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them."
It turns out this alter was built as a reminder to all that the 2 1/2 tribes served the same God as the rest of the Israelites in the promised land.
How quickly do I jump to conclusions about people's motives without taking the time to find out reasons for their actions?
An example of this would be a person that has mental illness who's made some bad choices. I can be quick to assume they think rationally like the rest of us and therefore can't understand this person's negative actions. We can't always excuse bad choices, but we can look at some of these people with more sympathy and love at first instead of immediate disgust.
The Israelites go on to give somewhat of an apology for this quick judgement,
22:31 "And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, “Today we know that the Lord is with us, because you have not been unfaithful to the Lord in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the Lord's hand.”
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Judges 1:1-2:5, 2:10-23
2 comments:
He said, "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel." - Joshua 24:23
A good reminder for me to continually put aside all the "foreign gods" in my life to remain focused on the one true God.
This is the second time the Israelites have been quick to judge the 2 1/2 tribes. We need the reminder to give people the benefit of the doubt and to never presume to know someone's motives or heart. Only God can determine that.
Also love Joshua's declaration "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." No matter what anyone else does, no matter the cost or inconvenience. Can we say the same with such boldness?
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