Assuming the Worst

O. T. #492  "Assuming the Worst"
April 1, 2015
Joshua 22-Part 2
And the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to war against them. Joshua 22:11 NIV


LET IT GLOW

Assuming something is done for a certain reason can get us into trouble. I am quick to jump to conclusions, which is not a good thing. Neither was it for Israel.
(Hey, don't be fooled today, April 1 is called April Fool's Day. Be on guard.)

It was time to go home. That's what Joshua told the easterners, those tribes whose Promised Land was located east of the Jordan River-Reuben, Gad, and 11/2 tribe of Manasseh. He gave them instructions: Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren. What spoils was Joshua speaking of? Those listed in verse 8: cattle, silver, gold, brass, and iron. These things would prove to be useful as they built their homes and communities. Such blessings.
Yet, they must have used some to build a monument, an altar. Hmmm. What kind is it? Looks like...

LET IT GROW

No sooner had the 2 1/2 tribes arrived at the banks of the Jordan (east) than they erected a great altar to see, large and visible in all directions. When this came to the attention of the other tribes, they all met at Shiloh to go to war with their brethren.
According to Liberty Bible Commentary, they assumed:

• The erection of the great altar was for an evil intent;
• it was established as a center of worship to rival Shiloh;
• the easterners were separating themselves totally and finally from their brethren.

So the Israelites sent Phinehas, son of Eleazar the high priest, to the eastern brethren in order to inquire of this matter. He was the ideal person to head up the mission for he represented the high priest and had been zealous in purifying the nation Israel when she fell prey to sin with Baal-peor (Num. 25).

How often do we assume the worse when we do not know all the details of a situation? Sometimes you  and I , get in trouble for assuming, don't we?
I wonder if the Jews who crucified Jesus assumed He was just a man, a teacher, instead of the son of God, their Messiah?

LET IT GROW

John J. Davis summarized the charges against the eastern tribes into three categories or three kinds of sin:

1. Trespass, in verse 16, is the same one used in 7:1 in connection with the sin of Achan.
2. The iniquity of Peor, as in verse 17, had as an essential element idolatry and open disobedience to God's will with regard to worship (Num. 25).
3. Their sin is described as an act of rebellion, in verses 18-19.

This explains a little clearer why Israel assumed the altar to be for the worship of a false god instead of their God. They did not want to provoke God's wrath against Israel.

If the eastern tribes did intend to rebel against Israel and have defiled their inheritance by their intention, they must repent and forsake their inheritance for the good of all Israel. Achan was an example of the sin of one affecting all. Israel could not chance that again.  (Falwell)

Matthew Henry called the aggravation of the crime charged upon their brethren somewhat
far-fetched.

We need to always watch out that things we do or say, do not appear evil or sinful.  Others are watching us, so watch out!

1 Thessalonians 5:22 tells us to, Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Was the assumption true or false? The answer is found in the next post.


LET IT GO

Deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus.

Don't assume the worst; allow the benefit of the doubt.

Ask if I wonder about something, instead of assuming.