1 people, 2 cities, 1 church

1 people, 2 cities, 1 church

A tale of one people and two cities (Gilead/Jerusalem) and the story that takes them to be one church in Christ.

There may be some burdens you’ve carried that you need to let go of, some battles you still need to fight, in order to claim the promise God has for you. God’s word can give you the courage to let go of what you’ve struggled to let go of and empower you to wage battles even when you feel battle-worn and torn. I hope you can find an answer to claim His promise in your life too.

Two tribes were told by Moses and God to help the other tribes get into the Promised land. These two tribes refused to go into the land to stay, but they stayed long enough to help, they stayed long enough to give it a shot. Maybe some went over thinking that maybe their heart would change, you know like when you see an outfit you sort of like, but you’re not sure. So you have to try it on first. There was a compromise, we’ll try it on, we’ll even look at it in the mirror, but I’m not going out in that thing. So they tried on the promised land, others chose to wear it as their only outfit.

People couldn’t say Moses didn’t try. Moses couldn’t say the people didn’t do what they said they would. Moses didn’t force them into the new clothes. He gave it time to see if it would fit, if it would grow on them. Sometimes shopping and trying on clothes can be frustrating, it can be a battle, especially if you’re not shopping alone. The Israelites weren’t heading out to the mall to shop. They were on their way to brawl with giants looking to put on freedom and liberty:

32²⁰ So Moses said to them, “If you will do this if you will take up arms to go before the Lord for the war, ²¹ and every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before the Lord, until he has driven out his enemies from before him ²² and the land is subdued before the Lord; then after that you shall return and be free of obligation to the Lordand to Israel, and this land shall be your possession before the Lord. ²³ But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. ²⁴ Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what you have promised.” ²⁵ And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben said to Moses, “Your servants will do as my lord commands. Numbers 32:20-25

There came a day when those tribes were allowed to go back home after their faithfulness:

22 ¹At that time Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ² and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you. ³ You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God. ⁴ And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents in the land where your possession lies, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. Joshua 22:1-4.

What did that day feel like for all the tribes? They had been together, worshipped together, fought together. That day they changed their promised land suits, dresses, and clanky armor for shorts and sandals in Gilead. They had compromised and served the same God. All sides did all they said and did all they could. What happens when a church comes to a similar place? What does it feel like? When your team has come to the point where the battle has gone as far as they can, like when Hollywood decides they can’t make another sequel, five parts are probably enough, probably 3 parts was more than enough and part four was going too far. These tribes didn’t go too far, they just went far enough. Everything around them told them so. Even though the battles weren’t done, their journey together was done.

Kings were defeated, lands were taken, milk drank, the honeycomb was eaten, and while there were still many battles to go, warriors still needing healing,  and more land to be conquered (Joshua 12) it was finally time. Two tribes had fulfilled their commitment. Joshua divided the inheritance that all the people had invested in, the land was divided (Joshua 13-21). Those who longed for their balm back in Gilead were allowed to go back to it. Their families must have rejoiced seeing their faithful fighters returning. It wasn’t insulting those who had continued on. It was just appreciating those who were faithful in their part of that sovereign, preordained plan. Finally, those moving forward could be thankful, but also they could now all be in one accord. It Echoes the mindset in Acts 4. In fact, after this moment, Joshua commands the people to not mix their minds and lives with any other nation that is not in the same mind and heart in Joshua 22. 

22 ⁵ The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. ⁶ Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, ⁷ that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, ⁸ but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. Joshua 23: 5-8

How empowering to know that clinging to God will assure bringing them the rest of their inheritance. Clinging to God would ensure their worship would not be clanging noise. Their united voice and purpose would be all for His glory. In Acts 5, after it was declared that they were united in a single-mindedness, Ananias and Sapphira were cast out because they weren’t in common with the church, they were holding back from the church, in turn, holding the church back. 

22 ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” ⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. Acts 5:3-6

In Acts, one of the things they did was sell land so the church and those in the church wouldn’t go without, so they wouldn’t be in debt, nor remaining hurting and in need. Peter speaks to Ananias and says holding on to that land, was actually holding it back from God. I wonder if there may not be something in our own hearts that we need to examine to see if we are holding something back from God, holding back His church from taking their inheritance. Maybe there are some of us holding on to friendship, fellowships, and family that need to return back to where they belong. Or maybe there are those of us who need to sell what we’ve held onto for too long and has kept you from taking what God has promised can be yours. There are yet others of us who after faithful service is finally being given rest following long service and sacrifice. It’s ok to go back to where your balm of Gilead is. It’s ok. 

To the others who are now in single-mindedness and were no longer looking back,  Joshua said, “.⁶ Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left.” Joshua 23. And in Acts 2:42 we see a common thread of needing to remain in God’s truth to move forward, ”⁴² they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…”  Now that’s a great idea. A bad idea would be obvious like a bicycle with one big wheel in the front and a tiny wheel in the back. Whoever thought that was going to be a safe bike? What a bad idea. You couldn’t even get up on the thing alone and then you’d ride the thing until you crashed. That’s a bad idea. Devoting ourselves to God’s word is a good idea. It brings healing, it gives wisdom. Those going into the Promised land and the Early church were going to ride a spiritual bike designed to get them to where God was taking them without the dangerous giant wheel.

So the tribes going into the promised land were told to ride God’s word, stay in God’s word, and the early church remained in God’s word through the teaching of the Apostles. Joshua tells the people to decide who they will serve. We have to decide that too. Who will we serve? ²² Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.”  And in Acts 4 the people of God pray for boldness to be witnesses; Acts 4 ²⁹ And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

So what are the takeaways?

1. Un-burden yourself, sell off what is holding you, and the people of God back. 
2. Go to the place where you must find your balm or stay and battle forward, you can’t be in both places anymore.
3. As you move forward wherever you are, remain in God’s word, hear it, study it, lift it up, obey it, and walk in it. 
4. Be a bold witness whatever city you’re called to. 
5. Ask will this apply to your life, your church, your work, your family?