Joshua 22, Proverbs 6, 1 Timothy 5

Well-meaning intentions can easily be taken the wrong way. Caution on both sides is advised. The Israelites became so agitated over what they perceived as the motivation for the actions of the two-and-a-half tribes that they prepared for war. The two-and-a-half tribes should have stopped to think how their actions might be interpreted by the rest of the nation. A little communication before the deed would have gone a long way. If our actions might be seen as something sinful, it might be best to back up and trust God to take care of the situation. When we try to "help" God it can make His job caring for us more difficult!

Stop to think about the consequences of your actions before you act. Or in the case of the "sluggard," consider what will happen if you stay lazy. Every action does have a consequence. Satan's favorite ploy is to blind us to the truth by dangling pleasure before our eyes. Wise people see around the pretties to what lurks behind.

Actions have consequences. The church was charged with caring for "real" widows: those who had no husband or living children, who were over the age of sixty. Why the rules? Because of the sinful actions of some. Paul also gave more cautionary instructions about accusing an elder. Stop. Think.

If we will always follow this exhortation to stop and think before we act or speak, we'll avoid much heartache and make God's job easier!

Joshua 21, Proverbs 5, 1 Timothy 4

The Framework. The Levites, since they were priests and not warriors or farmers, were given cities scattered throughout the Promised Land. They needed places to live among the rest of the people. An interesting note is that five of the six cities of refuge were given to the Levites. The priests were in charge of the law and a "slayer" would have to wait for the death of the current high priest before moving back home. So we can see how God designed His nation to be ruled by His laws, carried out by the priests who should be godly men. It was set up to run beautifully. Did it? not always~because people fail. But God gave them the tools and framework for optimal operation.

The Pattern. God gives us the pattern for wisdom in chapter four. But in chapter five we find that everyone doesn't follow the pattern. Because people fail. But optimal living only happpens when we stay within the framework and follow the pattern.

The Result. Proverbs five constrasts two lifestyles, and so does 1 Timothy four. Failure to live a disciplined life has disastrous consequences. But following the Lord's instructions ends in the salvation of many.

Joshua 20, Proverbs 4, 1 Timothy 3

Reading about the cities of refuge again reminds us that God planned for forgiveness. It also illustrates part of His character: a place to find hope for the future when our circumstances might do us in. Another truth shines up at me from this page. The people had to go along with God's plan and actually designate the cities as refuges. They had to agree to let those people live, no matter what emotions might overtake them. Sometimes following the will of God goes against our emotional instincts.

Living wisely requires discipline. Choose to hear instruction (i.e. read the Bible), memorize scripture, guard your heart so that you aren't carried away by your emotions, only speak what is honest and true, make sure your eyes only see what they should and be careful where you go. Then you will be tuned in to the Lord's frequency.

Pastors and deacons are to be wise, disciplined men. Their wives must be also. But really, shouldn't the descriptions found here fit us all?

The great mystery is how God became man. It is no mystery how to live in wisdom, or to know that we need to forgive. But we can only do it by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, imparted to us because of the mystery.

Embrace the Mystery.

Joshua 19, Proverbs 3, 1 Timothy 2

Possess the land. Dividing the land between the seven remaining tribes was accomplished by casting lots at the door of the tabernacle in Shiloh. The priest, Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal leaders conducted the process. In the Old Testament, casting lots was one way God spoke to men. So God actually directed the division and they all knew it. It might have been easy to quibble among themselves over the borders, but not when they knew for certain God laid it out.

A couple of interesting notes: 1. Dan got more because they took the initiative and fought for it. 2. East was always referred to as "toward the sunrise" but west was either "west" or "at the sea."

Follow instruction. God speaks to us through His word today and when we read the Bible, we know for certain Who it is that we hear. Proverbs 3 is instruction we cannot quibble over. If we will follow what we read here, our lives will be full, meaningful, and satisfying. We will "occupy the land" in a spiritual sense the way the Israelite tribes did in the physical sense.

Pay attention to details. 1 Timothy 2 opens with instructions for a quiet and peaceable life: prayer for all those in authority. Then Paul goes on to instruct a quiet and peaceable church function. It can be hard to accept our roles when we listen to the voices of culture around us. But when we recognize God speaking through the Bible, we won't quibble over details.

Joshua 18, Proverbs 2, 1 Timothy 1

Joshua's question to the remaining tribes tells on them. "How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?" Here they were, at last, in the Promised Land. And yet seven tribes watched their fellow Israelites take charge of their inheritance while hanging back and waiting. Waiting for what? That was what Joshua wanted to know. As God's mouthpiece, we can be sure Joshua voiced the question for God.

Were they afraid? Maybe. Lazy? Mm. Maybe. We don't know why they waited. But when Joshua broke it down into instructions, they obeyed. They conducted a survey, wrote the results in a book, and cast lots. Sounds very modern to me. "Conquer Your Enemies in Three Easy Steps."

Wisdom equals receiving God's words and treasuring His commands. When we do these things, God is our shield, guard and guide. Proverbs 2:21 says, "For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it." Maybe the seven tribes needed to deal with a sin problem. Failure to receive God's words and treasure His commands leads one down a dark road. The seven tribes stood at the intersection. It was time to choose.

Paul instructs Timothy to teach sound doctrine: the reason for the law was to show sinners the truth about themselves, and the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ saves them from their way. Two, Hymenaeus and Alexander, stood at the intersection and chose the wrong way. Paul and Timothy chose the right way.

Is God calling you to choose His path? Is He leading you in a direction you hesitate to follow? Be like the seven tribes and stop procrastinating. God will break it down for you, step by step.

Joshua 17, Proverbs 1, 2 Thessalonians 3

I can just hear the whine in the voices of Manasseh's escendants as they complain to Joshua about the size of the land apportioned to them.
     "We're girls. We get some, too!"
     "We want more!"
     "We don't like that land, why can't we have something different?"
Joshua, like a patient, but firm, father, says, "Take it or leave it. But I believe you can do what it takes to make it yours."
But Machir wasn't whining with the others. And so, he was rewarded for being a man of war.

We are people of war. We must be willing to fight like Machir. Instead of physical enemies, we face intimidating spiritual enemies.

Wisdom comes from fear of the Lord. And a wise person, like the bird, sees the net cast to trap her. Recognizing and staying away from sin is part of the battle we fight. Reconnasance is essential in any war.

It takes discipline to be a good soldier. And wisdom. We need to recognize and stay away from sin not only in the world around us, but in the household of faith. This is where it gets difficult to see the net. We must have radar antennae like Martians. The only way we can sense danger is through prayer.

Joshua 16, Psalm 150, 2 Thessalonians 2

Ephraim and Manassah, the tribes named for the sons of Joseph, had overlapping territory since the cities for Ephraim were in the land of Manasseh. Ephraim included Bethel and Luz, the sites famous for their significance in Jacob's life. Do your children know the landmarks of your spiritual heritage? Do you tell stories to be handed down of what God has done? Jacob told his stories, and so when these tribes inherited the cities, they could gain courage for their own battles from him.

When we praise the Lord for His mighty acts, it inspires praise for everything else. And praise tells our stories.

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of a truth he had already taught them. (See verse 5.) They were nervous and shaken by what someone else said. Hearing the truth over and over is reassuring when we are frightened or unsure. Paul tells them to "stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." (v. 15)

Just as it was important then, it is important now to not only "stand fast and hold on" ourselves, but to hand down to our children and grandchildren the faith stories they can hold on to.