The end of an era is both sad and exciting. It’s sad when beloved leaders pass away, and it’s exciting to think of what fresh new things could happen with new leaders. Which one do you think Israel feels at this point?
Before I make a quick comment on that, let me offer a thought on the altar that Manasseh built. I know the interpretation of the text says that the altar was built on the “west side of the Jordan” but that would make absolutely no sense when compared to their defense of why they built it. When questioned about it, they said that someday in the future people may infer that the Jordan river is the boundary of Israel, (which isn’t true) so this altar will remind future generations that tribes of Israel lived and worshiped the same God whose altar is in Shechem (and eventually Jerusalem). That being said, it makes no sense to build an altar on the west side to include people on the east. Building on the west would only encourage the train of thought that says “the river is the boundary”. From a quick search I learned that what is more likely it that the Jordan river twisted and turned it’s way through the valley, and the tribe of Manasseh built the altar on the eastern side, but on a piece of land that jutted into the western side (if a straight line were to be drawn). Not that it makes a great deal of difference, I guess.
An emotional person might be close to tears as they read the last portion of today’s passage. Joshua has grown very old….110. Performing a “rite of passage” he calls the nation together and makes them swear an oath to follow the Lord. Actually, he gives them three choices: 1. go back to being like the people you were before 2. become like the people around you now 3. continue to serve the Lord and don’t be like anyone else.
The people choose to be different, set apart….holy. That’s the same choice the you and I should make.
Joshua tells the people that “they cannot serve the Lord” and that “He will not forgive their sins and rebellions”. I don’t think this is meant to be a statement about how unforgiving God is, but rather about how prone to wander the people are. Joshua means to say to the people “you have a hard time staying true to your faith, and God isn’t simply going to overlook it…He will punish you if you wander”. And the evidence is clear….In the same conversation he tells them to go home and “get rid of their idols”. What in the world were idols doing there anyway!? Who in their right mind would still have an idol? There shouldn’t have been an idol to destroy in Israel. The fact that there was, even if they weren’t being worshiped is evidence to support their eventual drifting.
One or two other things: Joshua cautions the people not to interact with those who are pagan and still living in the land. I would use that as a metaphor to say “don’t feed the sinful desires of your spirit” it will only drag you down and eventually lead you away from your faith. Don’t marry someone who doesn’t share your faith. Don’t go into business with them. The odds say that these things will have a negative impact on you. The occasional person who finds that their faith converted an unbelieving spouse is definitely in the minority to those Christians who have been pulled away from faith by family that resisted the Gospel.
The people served the Lord throughout the lives of all of the elders who had “personally experienced” what the Lord had done (24:31). Every generation needs their own personal experience. Or, God reveals himself to each generation. That’s a better way of saying it, because you don’t have to be young to experience God. Many people have turned their lives over to him as He was revealing Himself to a new generation. With that in mind, you may be fortunate enough to have two or three periods of revelation during which you can experience God.
Unless we each have that “personal experience”, we won’t be able to stay faithful for the long haul. The possibility is there, we must make an effort to get to know Jesus. He won’t force himself on us.
I notice that Joshua didn’t appoint a leader to follow him. I would say that was a great error, except that this was the way God intended for the community to be led. From time to time a leader would be called out by God to guide and direct the people. Whenever God called on someone they would be filled with His power and Spirit. This is how the nation was to be led as they lived in the Promised Land.
Here comes the Judge! (lame, I know). The time for being sad is passing, God is doing a new thing with new leaders….time to be excited!
Faithfully,
PR