Monday, March 30, 2015

THE SEVEN LAZY TRIBES


Joshua 18:2-3 There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?”
           
            Here we find Joshua scolding the seven tribes who have failed to take control of the land. The seven lazy tribes lack courage to do as Joshua has commanded. He uses the example of the two stronger tribes, Judah and Joseph, to motivate these tribes to act as they had been instructed.

            Success is there for the taking. Without acting they could not realize the promise made by God to Moses and Joshua. How often has Israel been promised a blessing but finds many a reason to not reach-out and take what is promised. Joshua even points out the tribe of Dan who lost their possession to the Canaanites. Later they are able to fight and acquire a different territory for their possession.

            Obedience to God involves action at the place where God has shown himself ready to meet his people. The tent of meeting is where the divine will is found. Israel cannot simply receive the gifts directly from the hand of God. She must do her part. Laziness and procrastination are not traits of the obedient and faithful.

            Having received the land, Israel is called to a life in the land. It is a life of peace in a land under their control. This is God’s desire and God’s provision. The land was given to an obedient people. When the land is lost, they cannot blame God. Israel must measure her own life by the standard set up by God in the beginning.

            This chapter makes clear to us today that success is conditioned on obedience, on faithfulness to the Word of God. When we are not willing to march forward at God’s command we cannot talk of God as our God. We can only speak of him as the God of others. 

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