Men's Group Study Guide
Introduction
One of the main themes of this book of the Bible is the gift of rest promised by God. The three eastern tribes have settled for a portion that is outside the promised land on the other side of the Jordan. They saw it, they liked it and so they asked for it. The Lord in His gracefulness allows them to settle there, but not without a call to faithfulness first.
-Josh.1:12-18 / Deut. 4:29-31 / Matt.22:37- For seven years they remained faithful to the command given by God and fought alongside the other tribes. All of the land west of the Jordan has now been conquered and distributed and so it is time for these three tribes to return to their homes. Before they return though, Joshua gives them a warning in verse 5 (take heed). Jesus also gives us the same warning to be careful and watch out (Matt.16:6 / Mark 13:33-37). By God’s grace and some responsibility on our part, we can remain faithful to the things God has called us to. We can be on guard, ready and aware of our surroundings and the effects that they could have on us. Jesus, our Joshua warns us to watch and pray. Will we take Him seriously or will we continue to rely upon our own understanding of things and how they need to get done? Proverbs 3:5-7
STUDY NOTES: verses 1-34
Vs.1-6 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh,……. vs. 6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents. Joshua starts as any good leader would, by commending them on a job well done. They did everything that Moses and Joshua had asked them to do. To stay and to fight next to their fellow tribesman until there was peace in the land. These three tribes did just that. Loyalty is a very important characteristic that the Lord is trying to develop into each one of His children. It is better known as faithfulness. Matthew 23:23-24 / Micah 6:8 We must first be faithful to the things (Luke 16:10) which He has shown us in our own lives before we can go further into spiritual maturity and blessing (our own promised land). After Joshua is done commending them on a job well done, he then goes on to remind them of the earlier commandment and laws that they had received from Moses. To Love the Lord, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and soul. Deuteronomy 6
Vs. 7-12 And when they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan---a great, impressive altar……vs.12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered together at Shiloh to go to war against them. In verses 7-9 the three tribes have been sent off with riches and great blessing. While they are preparing to leave the west side of the Jordan they stop to build an altar. Let’s put ourselves in their position. The land in which I have just spent a significant time of my blood, sweat and tears, I am now leaving. My friends and family that I have fought and died next to are now being left behind. There is a part of me that is also being left back there. This could present an almost confusing situation. Many questions would begin to run through my head. “Would my brothers remember my children and I in the future as the years pass? Would we be received in our time of need? I have an idea. I will leave them something so that they will remember our family ties and what it is we have together. Even though I know this is something that is outside of the law, it should be ok because I have good intentions.” (Psalm 40:6-8) The Israelites built only one altar to worship and praise only One God (Leviticus 17:8-9 / John 4:24). The next response was only natural. The whole congregation of Israel gathered together at their altar (Shiloh) to make war with them.
Vs. 13-20 Then the children of Israel sent Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest to the children of Reuben, to the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead,….. vs.20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.” The children of Israel proceeded very orderly. They were ready to punish any disobedience to the law, but they were focused on unity and more importantly, true worship before the Lord. When they had assembled for war this could be looked at as an example of God’s holiness, and when they had sent Phinehas to confront them this would be an illustration of His mercy and love. They had enough experience with the results of idolatry from past instances such as Baal Peor (Numbers 25) and the man Achan (Josh.7) to know that this needed to be dealt with in a serious manner. They strongly desired to correct what appeared to be a blatant sin against God. In verse 19 we can see that they were also wanting to restore their brothers to a right place before God. Galatians 6:1-5
Vs. 21-29 Then the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh answered and said to the heads of the divisions of Israel:….. vs. 29 Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn from following the Lord this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle.” This effort to keep the already established communications in good standings now seems to have taken a turn for the worse. What was meant for good has been taken into the negative. What’s the deal? I would like to pose a question. Let us first start by taking into consideration the original covenant that was given by God to Abraham. The original intent seemed to be to take all of Abrahams children into this promised land. We know what happens when we complain and wine against the Lord and when we don’t have faith. What about when we simply choose something other than what God wants to give us? Something we feel maybe fits us better? Is it possible that the relationship we have with the Lord through faith could be affected, therefore causing us to make decisions that are faithless? The Israelites did not turn from the Lord, this we know. Somehow, fear had found its way into their hearts (vs. 24) and caused them to second guess their relationship with their own friends and family and ultimately God. These verses seem to be an example of what can happen when we don’t trust in the Lord with all of our being. Psalm 31
Vs. 30-34 Now when Phinehas the priest and the rulers of the congregation, the heads of the divisions of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them……vs. 34 The children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar, Witness, “For it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.” So the rest of the tribes of Israel have accepted the explanation of the other three. The final result is a continued peace. When we think of current situations in our world today that involve religion, and lack true love and wisdom, there is usually a bad outcome. These situations throughout history have been some of the most complicated. To this day there is only one Mediator who can successfully communicate and soothe the spirits of those in conflict. If they would only allow Him to intervene on their behalf. Galatians 3:19-20 – Hebrews 8:6
TRUTH APPLIED:
Q. 1 Matthew 11:28 speaks of a kind of rest. What is this rest supposed to look like?
Q. 2 Have you personally experienced this rest? If yes, why? If not, why?
Q. 3 Do you love your God with all of your heart?
Q. 4 Do you love your God with all of your soul?
Q. 5 Do you love your God with all of your mind?
Q. 6 Do you love your God with all of your strength?
CONCLUSION:
During the first seasons of our relationship with the Lord we begin to learn of the necessity of faith. It all began with a simple trust in Jesus. As time goes by and different situations and conflicts are presented to us, our faith in God is tested and will grow through obedience to Him. Every day we are faced with hundreds of different choices ranging from trivial to extremely important. The decisions and outcomes of those choices will be based on our relationship to the Lord. Think back to the beginning of your own relationship with Jesus. Have those early days of childlike trust in God grown, or have you resorted back to relying on your own understanding? Each reaction will obviously bring a different outcome. We can receive power, wisdom, love and grace for others and ourselves or we can be limited to ourselves and what little we think we know. Each day it’s your choice, from the minute you wake up to the moment you go to bed. God is always going to be infinitely wiser. No offense.