pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: tribe


by Leave a comment

Thorns…

Readings: Joshua 12, Joshua 13, Joshua 14, Joshua 15, Joshua 16, Joshua 17

Joshua 16:10 – “But they didn’t remove the…”

Our reading today begins with a summary of the kings defeated by Moses and by Joshua. Moses’ efforts have a lot more detail. This follows the pattern found in Deuteronomy. Joshua’s efforts are simply a list of 31 names. In chapter 13 we learn that Joshua is old and “much of the land remains to be taken over.” There are many pockets of Canaanite tribes remaining here and there. The land east of the Jordan is then allocated to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and to half of the tribe of Manasseh.

Chapter 14 begins the process of assigning land west of the Jordan. Joshua, Eleazar, and tribal leaders assign a “legacy” to the remaining 9 1/2 tribes by lot. Caleb comes forward and requests the land that Moses promised him 45 years ago. Zelophehad’s daughters are later given a legacy, fulfilling another of Moses’ promises.

Judah, Ephraim, and the other half tribe of Manasseh are assigned legacies, determined by lot. It is interesting that Judah’s legacy is thoroughly detailed – it includes the names of 94 individual cities. Ephraim and Manasseh’s legacies are briefly described. No cities are even mentioned. At the end of chapter 17, Ephraim and Manasseh question the size of their inheritance. Permission is granted to expand by clearing forest, claiming more land for themselves.

Again and again in today’s readings we come across some version of “But they didn’t remove the…” Israel allows many Canaanite tribes to live amongst them in the Promised Land. These will become “thorns in your side” (Numbers 33:55.) When we too leave footholds in our hearts for the things of this world, they can and often do become thorns in our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, we see continued order and purpose as you allocate legacies or inheritances to Israel. You still lead and guide us in these ways of order and purpose. We also see little disobediences today – things that will lead to trouble for Israel. Help us to see these dangers in our lives too. Lead and guide and empower us in the conquest of these potential traps and dangers. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Glorious and Beautiful – One Day and Now

Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 (Link only partial. Sorry.)

Verse 9: “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.”

As we turn to John’s book of Revelation we turn to a vision that gives hope for eternity, offers a picture of the kingdom of God, and calls us to a glorious kingdom here on earth. Our passage today and much of the book of Revelation is a “then, now, and will be” vision.

John sees a “great multitude” gathered in heaven – far too many to count. In this vast crowd there are people “from every nation, tribe, people, and language.” Oh how the religious leaders of yesterday’s text must’ve cringed when they first heard of this vision of heaven! But what a beautiful picture of heaven it is! One day we will be gathered with a representation of all of humanity. To John’s audience this was a reminder that they do not suffer alone. Many all around the world suffer alongside them. To us it is a reminder to work to make our churches and faith communities look more like the actual community all around us.

The scene in our passage is filled with worship. The multitude, the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures all worship God and the Lamb. They joyously offer praise and thanksgiving and adoration. This scene is “church” at its finest and most glorious. Next an elder identifies those in “white robes” as those who have gone through the “great tribulation” – the suffering and persecution and trials of this life. The passage closes by contrasting this life with the life to come. In glory there will be no hunger or thirst, no oppression or suffering. God will “wipe away every tear” and the Lamb will lead us “to the springs of living water.” What hope these words gave to John’s audience. What hope these words give to all who long to one day be redeemed by Jesus Christ. Oh what a glorious and beautiful day that will be. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the hope that today’s passage gives. Thank you for the seed of what will be. But, God, help us to see that this vision is also a vision for today and an understanding for our time now. As we hold onto our hope for eternity, guide us to expand the kingdom here and now. Use us to satisfy hunger and thirst now. Use us to end oppression and suffering now. Use us to make our churches and communities more like the kingdom to come. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Love and Grace

Reading: Philippians 3: 1-12

Verse 8: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things”.

The title for today’s passage in my Bible is “No Confidence in the Flesh”. It is a good reminder. In verses four through six Paul reminds us of how we can trust in the old and in the things of this world. We may not connect circumcision or our tribe or our nation as sources of confidence. But we can count our position or title or status as things we place our confidence in. We may claim the tag “Christian” instead of Pharisee and we may go about persecuting all who don’t see or interpret things just as we do. Some even see their confidence in the two areas as just cause for their legalistic righteousness that is far from the love and grace that Jesus exemplifies. Paul sees this in his former life as Saul.

In verse seven there is a shift. All of this earthly confidence Paul now considers a loss for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ. He goes on to explain in the next verse, saying, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things”. Paul willingly laid aside the titles… in exchange for coming to know the Savior. He calls all that earthly stuff “rubbish” as is willing to throw all that away so that he may “gain Christ”. It amazes me what a little encounter with Jesus did for and to Paul’s life. All that he had grown up knowing and believing and living – holding this above all else – was rubbish once he knew the love and grace of Christ. Today some continue to live out the law without knowing Christ. Some even live with the Christian tag and live a life that does not bear witness to the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Instead of an earthly, human righteousness based upon the law and strict adherence to the rituals and practices, Paul has found a righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus. It is not the high and mighty righteousness negatively associated with the super religious. It is a righteousness based partly on the resurrection of Jesus. It is also based on the love and grace that comes by “sharing in his sufferings”. In losing all the earthly trappings, through the grace he himself experienced in Christ, Paul was left with a love for Jesus and for all who did not know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

We too can know this love and grace. Like Paul, may we know Christ crucified and risen. And may we share Christ with all we meet, seeking to work out our mandate to make disciples of all nations and peoples. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord, at times I can be a bit like Saul – feeling good about my titles or position or religion. When I do, bring me face to face with the sufferings of Jesus, made real in the realities of a hurting and broken world. There, fill me with only grace and love, that I may represent you well in the world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

A Great Multitude

Reading: Revelation 7: 9-12

Verse 9: “A great multitude… from every nation, tribe, people, language, standing before the throne”.

Today’s passage is a wonderful one for today in our world and for many of our churches. John writes of this assembly that is a “great multitude”. This diverse body of believers gathers around the throne, in front of the Lamb, and worships. All are dressed in white robes and are waving palm branches. There is unity that comes from faith in Jesus Christ alone. This image casts a wide circle that seems to exclude no one. The gathering includes “every nation, tribe, people, language, standing before the throne”.

As Christians, how do we reflect this attitude in our lives and in our world? As a nation, we are struggling with who to allow into the land. As churches, we are struggling with who to allow into membership and leadership. As individuals, we are struggling with who is worthy of our love and care and friendship. When I look at Jesus’ life in the gospels, I see one who loved and ministered to and welcomed one and all. Jesus’ circle did not have any exceptions or any loopholes. How can ours?

In Revelation we see that people “from every nation, tribe, people, language” are standing in the presence of God, worshipping together as one. All the angels and elders and four living creatures join all of humanity to fall to their faces before God, worshipping and declaring “praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength to God for ever and ever”. May we too join their worship today, becoming the great multitude of God’s people, one and all. Amen.

Prayer: Help me to love all of my brothers and sisters just as your Son did. May I worship this day with all I meet. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Controlled by God

Reading: Romans 8: 6-11

Verse 6: The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Paul establishes an either/or situation in today’s reading.  Either we are controlled by the Spirit or we are controlled by the flesh.  Either we submit to God’s ways or we pursue our sinful nature.  Either we are alive as Christ dwells in us or we are destined for death.  Either we are filled with God’s peace or we are hostile to God.  Paul is drawing some clear distinctions.

For Paul, being a part of God’s family was a universal invitation.  He did not see any limitations on who could live in covenant relationship with God.  It was not by birth that one gains access.  This remains true today – some born into a “Christian home” never find a faith of their own and others raised in a secular home come to a deep faith.  Paul also saw no barriers in regards to race or ethnicity or nationality or status or anything else one could name.  We also see this today.  Jesus’ mandate to “make disciples of all people of all nations” has brought the gospel all around the world.

There are many, many people today who are active participants in fulfilling the great commission of Jesus.  While some are in far away places bringing the Word of God to every tribe and tongue, most of us operate in a much smaller, more local context.  While our prayers may go far and wide for the work of the church universal, our actions and words most often impact those close at hand.  Those affected can be family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, and even strangers.

When our “mind is controlled by the Spirit”, we exhibit a life of peace and love and hope.  When we are filled with the Spirit, our lives are different than those whose live by the flesh.  We do not chase after the things of the world because the Spirit helps us and leads us to trust in and to rest in God.  We live life longing for and trusting in an eternal time when we will forever dwell in the light and love of Christ.  The day to day of this life is small change.  We are not held captive to but are set free from the power of sin and death that so easily entangles the world.  We follow God’s ways and offer love and hope and peace to the world.  This day may our lives be a living testimony to the power and presence of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit within us, drawing others into the kingdom of God.