Reading
SAA Notes
Read Matthew 18:15,16. This is the principle at work in this chapter. It headed off a potentially violent confrontation between the tribes. The two and a half tribes from across the Jordan wanted to remind the others that the Lord was their God too. Our true unity is in the Lord our God and not in location or origin.
SJA Notes
* Holy God, we have cried to You for help, and You have healed us. We sing praises to You O Lord, You have clothed us in gladness!
“Therefore we said, ‘Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, not for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us,”
This passage shows us why we need Jesus.
In Jesus we have a new covenant, where the boundaries are not earthly, where we must be reborn in spirit regardless of biological lineage or family name.
The tribes of Reuben, Gad and (half of) Manasseh wanted to remind the rest of Israel that they too were part of God’s people.
They built an altar, a witness.
The rest of the tribes saw the altar and in zeal they concluded idolatry was the motivation.
This generation of God’s people wanted to obey him, to follow Him, to be careful to walk according to His will (to clear out sin and wrongdoing).
This passage is a good reminder to be careful when jumping to spiritual conclusions.
There are absolutes, but we humanity have a flawed and limited perception on things, our own motivations can very often be suspect – We can easily misunderstand, from person to person, church to church, outwards.
In Jesus we have a King who knows our hearts, the very depths of our souls. He never jumps to conclusions and His word, Him the word become flesh, has an always and continual profound impact in every part of life.
In Jesus we have a Prophet who spoke truth at all times, a truth that often went against what the human leadership of God’s people were preaching.
In Jesus we have a High Priest who has opened up the Most Holy Place with His own blood shed, who even now sits and takes our petitions, our cries and anguish, our fervent requests and heartfelt thanks, to His Father.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
* God Above,
You have brought us Your people into a kingdom without earthly borders, a kingdom that spreads through Your word, Your will, You at work saving the lost, bringing dead hearts alive.
Thank You for saving us!
Amen.