We read in Joshua 8:30-31, Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. (KJV)
As we continue our study on the life of Joshua we know that Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel. The first hurdle Joshua had to cross was the river Jordan that was overflowing its banks. As the entire multitude of Israelites stood at the banks of the Jordan not knowing what to do, they cried out to the Lord, and waited for His counsel. God instructed them that the priests who bore the Covenant Box should step into the water, and when they did so, the waters of the Jordan parted, and made way for the Israelites to cross over to the other side.
Once they crossed the Jordan miraculously, the next hindrance was the formidable walls of Jericho. Again the people were confused not knowing how to conquer this city that stood before them.
Oftentimes we too encounter one problem after another, and let us be reminded that no matter what the problems are, only the Lord can help us find solutions to every one of them. In times like these we must acknowledge that God is the creator of the heavens and the earth, and call unto Him for counsel for He will surely guide us aright.
The instruction that God gave to the Israelites was that they should walk around the walls of the city of Jericho. However much the Israelites may have tried and exerted all the strength that they had, they knew that it would be impossible for them to bring the walls of Jericho down. They prayed to God who miraculously brought the walls of Jericho down.
After Jericho, the Israelites had to face the city of Ai, which in their eyes seemed a much smaller task to handle. They assumed that they could overthrow this city with ease, and without seeking counsel from God they went to war, and faced a huge defeat. When they cried out to the Lord, the Lord made known to them that there was sin in the camp which needed to be dealt with. Once they got rid of the defilement, the Lord intervened, and gave them victory over Ai.
An altar made of uncut stones
As we read the bible we realize that God not only gave counsel about how to wage war, but God also gave instructions to His people on how they were to worship Him.
Let me mention again the portion of scripture from Joshua 8:30-31, Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. (KJV)
Joshua was instructed that the altar was to be built on Mount Ebal, and God also briefed him on how this was to be built. God commanded that the stones that were to be used on the altar should be whole stones which no man had shaped with iron tools. All through the bible we see that when God desired that something should be done, He made sure that His people know where it should be done, and also on how it should be executed.
The question that may arise in our minds is as to why these minuscule details were so important. Would it not be enough if the altar was just built? We may imagine that the altar, and the sacrifice on the altar was only important, but we realize that God was particular about the way the altar was to be built.
When the altar was built with uncut stones each of them will be unique and different. However, when one used iron tools and shaped them, they would all look similar. Identical stones to build an altar may make it appear beautiful, but God is His wisdom did not want it to be so.
There are many people who want to approach God in the way that they think is desirable or convenient for them. Sadly, many do not approach God the way He wants them to. So many people want to use their wisdom, and have twisted God’s word for their own convenience. Let me remind you that you will receive the blessings of God only when you do things God’s way.
How do we approach things of God and things of this world?
If we understand this difference, and make necessary changes, we will certainly receive the manifold blessings of God in our lives. For instance, those who are employed in an office know that when we are unable to go to work on a certain day, we should call and inform them about the same. Also, when we go to office the next day we will take a leave letter with us or fill out a form stating the reason for our absence. However, on Sundays when we are unable to attend church, and be in fellowship with other believers, there are so few who will inform the pastor or the elders in advance that they are unable to attend church for a specific reason. This is not done even later as it is not considered necessary. So you see how we approach things of the world quite differently from things pertaining to God.
As children of God we are reminded from the word of God that we should be cautious about the way we approach things pertaining to God. Have you noticed how many will never come on time to church, but expect that God will accept their worship anyhow. Nonetheless, if we were to show up late for work every single day, we can be sure that we will most probably lose our job. If earthly masters have such high expectations from us which we try so hard to comply with, we must as God’s children give the due reverence to God Almighty. Gradually the stones on our altar have been fashioned by the tools of the world, and are not designed to be what God would have them to be.
When a close friend of ours hands over a wedding invitation, and we realize that the wedding is on Sunday, we are very concerned that we should not offend our friend in any way. We make plans to skip going to church just to please our friend, and justify ourselves saying that God will understand our situation. In every decision that we take we must check to see if we prioritize the world or the things of God over those of the world. If we have become slack in matters pertaining to things of God, let us decide to set our lives back in order. Let us decide to be in church on time, and be prepared to receive the word that God wants to share with us. Our God is a living God, and our years on this earth are set by God alone. Let us remember that we have an eternity beyond this life where we will live with God forever. With this thought let us pay much attention to things that pertain to God.
Let me explain it with another example which may sound different. When our children are unable to go to school for a week because of some sickness, many parents will make sure that they get hold of the notes from other students in the class, and get everything written out so that all the notes are up to date before their child goes back to school. How many of us when we miss church on Sunday, take any effort to even check as to the sermon that was preached, and the word that God had revealed through His messenger.
So we see that the way we approach things of the world, and things of God are so at variance. We must set things right, and do those things that are pleasing to God.
Jesus was regular to the synagogue
We read in Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.” (ESV)
Jesus who was Himself the Word, made it His custom to go to the synagogue on every Sabbath, how much more should we be more concerned about attending church, and also hearing the word of God that is preached to us?
Joshua prioritized the laws of God
After Joshua had crossed over the Jordan, and conquered Jericho and Ai, there were numerous responsibilities that were yet to be accomplished by Joshua who had to conquer many more cities. However, in the midst of all of it Joshua stopped all that he was doing, and built a huge wall, painted it and wrote the laws of the Lord on the same. Also, Joshua read out to the people of Israel all the blessings that would be theirs if they obeyed the laws of the Lord, and the curses that would fall on them if they chose to rebel. It was here that Joshua also built the altar unto the Lord with the specifications as received from the Lord Himself.
As the people of Israel wandered through the wilderness, the Lord gave instructions to have the Tabernacle set up which was the central point of their worship. The entire creation account is just mentioned in two chapters in the bible, but there are almost 50 chapters in the bible that details to us as to how God needs to be worshipped. This indicates that there is a way that we need to approach God, and when we do so according to God’s way alone is there life.
Nowadays, in order to make worship appealing to the younger generation there is much use of flashy lights, high-end audio, dance and songs. It is necessary to ponder if our methods of worship are truly pleasing to God. We must remember that the God we worship is a holy God, and also a God of order and discipline. As one observes the intricacies of God’s creation we will recognize that He is a God of order. For instance, look at how our eye lashes have been created; they are created so intricately to protect our eyes. This just goes to show that God who is meticulous about every little detail, also wishes that our worship of Him should be orderly and pleasing to God.
The worship of Cain and Abel
We read about Cain and Abel the children of Adam and Eve, who presented an offering each unto the Lord as an act of worship. The bible tells us that God did not approve of Cain and his offering, but God accepted Abel and his offering. So we see that God perceives our heart, and is mindful of the way we approach Him.
The worship of Aaron’s sons that displeased God
Let me place another incident from the bible which will help explain this a little better.
In Leviticus 10:1, we read, “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them.” (ESV)
Nadab and Abihu were the sons of Aaron, and they thought that by taking the censer, filling it with incense, and offering fire before the Lord they would receive the blessings of God. What they failed to understand was that in order to receive the blessings of God they had to approach God the way He wanted them to. Note the word ‘unauthorized fire’ that they set before the Lord. We may wonder what was so inappropriate about the fire that was offered.
The commandment Aaron’s sons disobeyed
This is what God had commanded them earlier about the kind of fire that they were required to offer to the Lord.
God’s instructions were clear in Leviticus 16:12, “And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil”(ESV)
The fire for the censer had to be taken from the altar before the Lord as this fire was sent by God Himself. However, the sons of Aaron thought they could do their own thing. It was a fire that was to be kept burning without being quenched.
The incense in the censer represented the prayers that are being offered up unto the Lord. If our prayers have to be heard our sins must be atoned for, and this could be done only at the altar. Only at the altar the blood was shed, and that was why the fire was to be taken from the altar that was in the outer court before the incense was offered in the Holy place. This was a fore shadow of what was to come through Jesus, and since the sons of Aaron did not adhere to it, the Lord was displeased.
There are many who believe that since this is a period of grace we are living in after the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can approach God boldly any way we want.
God’s punishment on Ananias and Sapphira
We read about the couple Ananias and Sapphira who sold a piece of their land, and on their own accord wanted to present it to the Lord. However, when the money came into their hands they in consultation with each other, kept back part of the money for themselves. They hid this from the apostles, not knowing that God was aware of all that they conspired. The reason for their giving was to get a good name from the apostles, and they thought that they would never find out their deceptive ways. What they did not realize was that God discerns the hearts of all men, and knows the motives of all. As they presented their offering to the Lord, God punished them, and sadly both of them lost their lives.
God is sovereign and the most holy God, and hence we must approach Him the way He has instructed us to.
God’s punishment on the sons of Aaron
When the sons of Aaron approached the presence of God with the fire that was unauthorized this is what happened.
We read in Leviticus 10:2, “And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.” (ESV)
This was a most sorrowful ending for the sons of Aaron, who attempted to worship God in their own way.
When we don’t worship God the way we should, we become objects of wrath instead of being those who receive the blessings from the Lord. Let us ponder for a moment as to how we approach this most holy, and all powerful God. Do we draw near to God in our own strength with our own understanding or do we do things God’s way?
Samuel the obedient prophet
Samuel is a great example of one who worshipped, and served God faithfully. When Samuel was a young boy serving in the temple, he prayed and said, ‘speak Lord, your servant listens.’ Later God exalted Samuel to be a prophet who anointed kings over Israel. However, all through his life this was the prayer of Samuel as he submitted to God, and lived by this principle, ‘speak Lord, your servant listens.’ Here’s the testimony about Samuel that as a prophet of God not one of his words fell to the ground, which means that He totally leaned on God, and did everything as God bid him to and therefore God honored Samuel. No wonder Samuel was one of the greatest prophets in the bible.
Let us examine our lives to see where we stand, and if there are areas where we need to set things right let us do, and we will receive the fullness of God’s blessings in our lives.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
