April 16

OT – Joshua 13:1-14:15
Just caught myself doing an old habit – skimming the reading since it either
a. Bores me
b. Upsets me
So, I am going back to doing what I agreed to do. Read the scripture. Be back in a few minutes.
I did learn something and as usual, came away with some questions that I had to look up.
The big question was why Joseph’s sons split into two tribes. Here is an explanation from the Midrash about this scripture.
When Jacob was dying, Joseph brought his sons to him to be blessed. Jacob blessed the younger one (Ephraim) with his right hand even though he had to cross his arms to do so. Joseph objected but Jacob refused to change saying ‘he too will become a people’. Gen 48:17-19
Sylvia’s response – Jacob, you have done it again. He split those boys so that no one could be the leader and the other the follower and eventually the tribe split. The sins of the father, visited again, and again and again.
My other question was really a why one – why was it so important to know which tribes got what place? We know that by the time Jesus was alive, people had moved from place to place and while they knew which tribe they were from, they didn’t necessarily live in the ‘allotment’. This one I am still researching. One possible idea is from James Michener’ s The Source. The Land means everything. Everything is about the land. Who holds it, who wants it, who is willing to die for it.
I have to say, reading two articles in the paper today, one was about a millionaire funding 54 poor children’s college and the other was about people dying in Israel over the land.

Proverbs 13:7-8
‘A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat. ‘
I remember reading a story about Andrew Young when he had moved back to the West End of Atlanta after his tour as Ambassador to the United Nations. The reporter commented on the disheveled appearance of the front yard. Young said that was deliberate since he had talked his wife into moving into the West End but he couldn’t talk her into being robbed. She had scruples about that, he said. I thought it was very funny at the time. But it wasn’t until one of my Bible study friends’ husband moved her, 6 months pregnant with a toddler already into a house in East Atlanta, squashed between two houses of ill repute (her terms not mine), that I understood what these two families were trying to do. They were trying to take back their neighborhoods but they weren’t willing to put their families in harm’s way by advertising their money and positions.
I am not that brave.

Psalm 85
Do you know Matthew Henry? Here is his commentary on Psalm 85:
“Sooner or later, God will speak peace to his people. If he do not command outward peace, yet he will suggest inward peace; speaking to their hearts by his Spirit. Peace is spoken only to those who turn from sin. All sin is folly, especially backsliding; it is the greatest folly to return to sin. Surely God's salvation is nigh, whatever our difficulties and distresses are. Also, his honour is secured, that glory may dwell in our land. And the truth of the promises is shown by the Divine mercy in sending the Redeemer. The Divine justice is now satisfied by the great atonement. Christ, the way, truth, and life, sprang out of the earth when he took our nature upon him, and Divine justice looked upon him well pleased and satisfied. For his sake all good things, especially his Holy Spirit, are given to those who ask him. Through Christ, the pardoned sinner becomes fruitful in good works, and by looking to and trusting in the Saviour's righteousness, finds his feet set in the way of his steps. Righteousness is a sure guide, both in meeting God, and in following him.”
Matthew Henry (1662-1714) was an English Presbyterian minister who wrote an exhaustive commentary on the Old and New Testaments scriptures. He was a careful and ‘sensible’ writer and the commentary was for devotional purposes. I’ve ordered one from Amazon.

Prayer Concerns:
This time of year is so busy for so many people, myself included. I hope you will join me in praying that we put God first. Even if all you have time to do is read the scripture, do that. Even if it is like my first go round on the OT. Better that, than none at all. Let’s all stay in the Word together, of one accord.
Peace and blessings to you.