The Unity in The Witness Altar(Joshua 22)

27 but that it may be a witness between you and us and our generations after us, that we may perform the service of the Lord before Him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your descendants may not say to our descendants in time to come, "You have no part in the Lord." '28 Therefore we said that it will be, when they say this to us or our generations in time to come, that we may say, 'Here is the replica of the altar of the Lord which our fathers made, though not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between you and us.'(Joshua 22:27-28)

When God's people finish seven years of war, the two-and-a-half-tribe people went back to the East of Jordan River. Because they already have inherent there. An altar was erected, which looked tall. (Joshua,22:10) After the other people at the west of Jordan river hear this, they gather at Shiloh ready to attack. During this tense moment, nine-and-a-half tribes sent a delegation headed by the priest Phineha. They first went to the east side of the Jordan river to persuade and understand what they want to do. After knowing their purpose, understanding that they aren't going to abandon the True God and worship another God. The alter is proof to their descendant that all the people who live on either west or east side of the Jordan river are a family as they are all Abraham's descendants. The delegation thinks this is a beautiful thing to do and told the other tribes. This resolves the crisis of the brothers. The people named this alter the Altar, Ed.

(Deuteronomy 12:13-14)

13 Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see;

14 but in the place which the Lord chooses, in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.

God once commanded the elect in Deuteronomy, that they need to sacrifice at God's chosen place. Why is it so troublesome? This is because whenever there's a God's festival, the people need to come from where they live to listen to God's command and maintain the same model of worship. This is to avoid the people to worship the other God. God has only chosen one place to teach the Truth which is to help their descendant to use worship God the same way. This is also why when the people who live on the west side of the Jordan river became angry when they hear the people who live on the east side of the Jordan river wants to build an altar for themselves. This is to keep the same way of worship.

(2 Corinthians 11:4) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!

(2 Corinthians 12:18) I urged Titus and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

During the apostle era, they were only one church. A lot of apostles went to another place to establish this True Jesus Church. They will use this area's name to call the church. The church at Ephesus was called Ephesus church, the church at Galatians region was called Galatians church. As they all are True Jesus Church, they need to follow the same instruction. By receiving the promised Holy Spirt baptism this became God's church. During that era, churches in the Corinth region hear someone preached another Jesus to them which from their point of view that is called another Jesus and another gospel. From this, we can know that Jesus preached by the apostle's gospel was the only Truth. From the Bible’s perspective, we can see that all True Jesus church is preaching one Truth. We cannot build an altar in another place and worship God in our way. This is the unity that God has shown on the altar of witness.

Friends, do you believe in God? We should preach the same truth as the apostles.  God's church is indivisible, there is only one. Just like the place chosen by God to worship God, they are only one way. The world gives us the reason that we need to be diverse, worship God as we please. Just like the altar's event. People who believe in God must see the truth inside the altar. Let’s preaching together, believe in the truth that apostles are preaching. We need to come back to this only place that we can preach to God, receive one Truth, one flock, and one shepherd.

(John 10:16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Translated by Nicole

 

Levite's Inheritance(Joshua 21)

All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their common-lands (Joshua 21:41)

    God blessed Levites, Although Levities were separate around tribes, they received the cities and common lands as commanded by the Lord, they received forty-eight cities, Only the tribe of Judah (Joshua 20-62) and the tribe of Manasheh receive more cities than Levites (Joshua 29-30), Levites should be grateful as they did not deserve such grace from the Lord.

    "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. (Numbers 18:21)

    How can Levities receive this much inheritance? This is because Israelites dedicate tithes to Levites. If the people appreciate holy workers, then the Levites will work harder for God. Which will create a positive cycle and will help the people to have more faith in God. God chosen Levites instead of first-born Israelites. Although they were separated between tribes. God will rewarded people who work for Him. They seem to have no inheritance but behind this is countless grace and rich inheritance.

    (Mark 10:29-30) So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.

    Due to the gospel, we have to leave things behind that we want to do on Earth, this seems to be a sacrifice but it is a blessing. This is a test from God on our faith. We don't need to broke our relationship with our family because we need to preach the gospel. But if we are willing to put the gospel on our priority list, knowing that nothing is more important than God. God's grace will bless us from our current life to eternal life.

    Sometimes we have to make a decision in our religion. There is a man in the bible called Peter. Before he met God, he was a fisher. One night when he couldn’t catch fish all night, he listened to God's instructions. He moved the boat to a deeper place, put down the net, and fishing. As he believed Jesus, he dropped down the net and fish, what he got was two boats of fish. Knowing that he is like a sinner, if there’s no God then there is no meaning in our life. Jesus call Peter and promised him that he will be a fisher of men so Peter left all things and followed God.

    From a person’s perspective, if they aren't life how could they have time to follow religion? But from God's perspective if they are not religious then they are no life because religion is life. Maybe we can't foreseen eternal life now but if we don't seize the time to know God then we will lose more grace. If we are willing to sacrifice our life and follow God then God will bless us. This is because God is our inheritance.

    (Joshua 13:33) But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He had said to them.

Translated by Nicole

 

 

 

Set Apart the Cities of Refugee (Joshua20)

The Lord also spoke to Joshua, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,  (Joshua 20:1-2) 

    For the establishment of the city of refuge, please refer to Numbers 35:9-28 and Deuteronomy 19:1- 13. 

    Joshua led a new generation of Israelites into the promised land. God told Joshua to follow "what Moses told you". This is the inheritance and succession of faith. 

    He wants to live in that city and stand in front of the congregation to hear the judgment. When the high priest is dead, the murderer can return to his home in the city, which is the city from which he escaped. (Joshua 20:6) 

    The city of refuge is a sanctuary, a place that can be accepted, in the arms of Jesus, and the true church of Jesus. If you have the opportunity to enter the city of refuge, you must leave the city and live a new life. For those who want to enter the city of refuge (church, fellowship), we should accept them, just like the Lord Jesus accepts us. 

    The murderer will flee to one of these cities, stand at the gate, and tell his story to the elders in the city. They took him into the city and gave him a place to live among them. (Joshua 20:4) The description of the city of refuge is different from those recorded in the Book of Numbers and Deuteronomy. It records what "the murderer" has to do-"Tell his affairs to the elders in the city "Listen" and telling our mistakes of "unintentionally killing people" is like kneeling before the mercy seat and acknowledging our weakness. Weakness can also be said to be a turning point in grace and the key to obtaining blessings. When we are weak when we can be strong（2 Corinthians12：10）.  Accept the weakness in life and let God’s grace appear perfect in our weakness（2 Corinthians12：9）. 

    We who have entered the city of refuge may also have a fellowship that makes us feel safe. In such a refuge, have we "told our weakness to the elders in the city" and properly exposed and shared our weaknesses, Let the members of the fellowship "receive us into the city", accept us as members of each other, and face the weakness and inherit the grace of life together. 

    I have heard of brothers and sisters who don’t often participate in fellowship meetings. They flashed after the meeting, and occasionally they had the opportunity to care for a few words at the door of the church, and in private, I heard them say that "the church has no love". Participation and a little more interaction allow us to walk into each other’s lives. Apart from gathering and listening to the sermons, we can have more sharing and reflection. To grow up, learn together the lessons of "being accompanied by faith", "accepting each other", and "life affects life". What a wonderful, joyous and satisfying church life like this! 

    (Philippians 2:5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 
    (Philippians 2:1-2) 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Translated by Nicole

(Joshua19)

When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked for, Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim; and he built the city and dwelt in it.(Joshua 19:49-50)

    In the final division of the west of the Jordan river, Joshua sent people to conduct field surveys and draw maps, so that the remaining seven tribes were able to divide all the land by casting lots at the gate of the tent of meeting in Shiloh before the Lord. What is worth pondering is that Caleb and Joshua were the only two good spies who spied on Canaan, stood alone, and reported the good news. What place did they choose? From the record of Joshua chapters 14 and 19: Caleb was the first choice among the subdivisions to the west of the Jordan; he did not choose an easy-to-capture or superior location, but a dangerous place—the greatest figure of the Anakis. The place where Ba is located-Gilead Abba, is the famous Hebron of later generations (Joshua 14). Joshua was the last chosen in the west of the Jordan River. He chose a city in the Ephraim Mountains called Timnasila. The name of the city was "The Remaining Part". There are strong enemies (Joshua 17: 14-18).

    Caleb, who picked the land first, and Joshua, who chose the land last, chose to attack the place where the most dangerous and terrifying Anakis (giants) were. They were not selfish, pick what others have left, and reclaim the worst areas. From the choices of these two people, we can see that they are really not easy. No wonder it is the only leader among all Israelis who have walked through the Red Sea, spied on Canaan, and stepped into Canaan with faith.

    This is why they have been able to stand unshakably before God and the people for more than four decades. By carefully observing what they have said, the way they have traveled, and the place they have chosen, we can reflect on what kind of leaders in the church today need to have. Traits? What can we learn and imitate from them? Whether it is a person who took care of a class or the head of the Taiwan General Conference, can we be as humble, confident, loyal to God, not greedy, and not selfish like the two of them? Become a good leader and fulfill the duty of feeding and shepherding among the flock, just as Elder Peter said: I, as an elder, a testimony of Christ’s suffering, and sharing the glory that will be revealed later, urge you to be with me. A fellow elder. Shepherd the flock of God among you and take care of them according to God's will; not out of reluctance, but out of willingness; not out of greed, but out of willingness. Nor is it entrusted to you by the rule, but to be an example to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1-3) I hope that we can all learn from Caleb's faith in following Jehovah's perilous faith and Joshua's example of setting a good example, and look after each other in the sheepfold of the church, inspire love, and encourage good deeds! (Hebrews 10:24)

    Follow the example of the "Shepherd" Lord Christ, focus on him, and work hard to run the path of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven!

Translated by Nicole

The Remaining Seven Tribes Allot Their Inheritance(Joshua18)

Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: "How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?(Joshua 18:3) 

This chapter and the next chapter are the processes of the second division of land. Over time, relying on the power of God, the three tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh among the twelve tribes of Israel have all allocated their land east of the river.  The other two and a half tribes who live on the west side of the river are about to return to their land. The tribe of Levi did not divide the land and the remaining seven tribes were slow to move, indifferent to the land they deserved.

Joshua inherited Moses' desire to serve God exclusively-to move the Tabernacle from Gilgal to Shiloh (in the territory of Ephraim), the center of Canaan. Because God's tabernacle is among the elect, the elect can be blessed by it.

While the entire congregation was gathered in Shiloh, he rebuked the seven tribes and ordered them to quickly form a "21-person task force." This team must travel all over those places without fear of difficulty; The distribution and other information are drawn into a map. Divide the land into seven so that Joshua can draw lots for them before God.

The idleness and inaction of these seven tribes are like when we lose our watchful heart after receiving the truth and think that we are still spiritually rich, but in fact, we no longer follow the Lord exclusively and humbly. On the surface, I believe in the Lord. But I still love the world in my heart. I have the mark of the Holy Spirit on my body, but I don’t want to make progress. If you still harden your heart and insist on going your way, the Holy Spirit will treat us as lukewarm water and will eventually spit out by the Lord Jesus.

(Romans 12：11-12)

11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

There is a sister who lives overseas. After believing in the Lord, she did not read the Bible and pray for a while as she need to study, work, and take care of her family. She even joked to God: "Lord Jesus! You know I haven’t read the Bible for a long time?”. Until one day she had a dream in which she was one of five foolish virgins. Knowing in her heart that the lamp in her hand is out of oil, she still waits for the Lord Jesus with everyone. Suddenly someone knocked on the door and shouted: "The Lord Jesus is coming soon!" At this time, she noticed her lamp. Not only was there no oil in it, but there was also a thick layer of ash. After waking up, she was ashamed and kept asking God for forgiveness. If it were not for the mercy of the Lord Jesus, she might have already been punished for offending God. This was the Lord Jesus’ warning to her and also reminded us that the Lord’s Day is at the door. His delay is still waiting for us who are lost, hurry us back to the right path.

(Matthew 25:13) Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Translated by Niclole

The Land of Judah (Joshua15)

 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of according to their families:(Joshua,15:20)  

    The inheritance of the tribe of Judah of the children of Judah can be separate to 29 cities in the south, as well as villages belonged to the cities. (Joshua,15:21-32) There are 39 cities in the plateau, and there are villages belonged to the cities (Verse 3-44). Cities and regions that were originally belonged to the Philistines (Verse 45-47). There are 38 villages in the mountain, and there are also villages that belonged to the cities. There are six cities in the wilderness and villages belonging to cities (Verse 61-62) There are more than 116 cities in total. With a total of more than 116 cities, it can be described as a huge inheritance because of its large population. (Numbers,26:22) 

    (Genesis,49:8) "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you. (Genesis,49:9) Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 

    The People of Israel’s ancestor Jacob predicted and expected that the descendants of Judah would be strong and God did give many cities but they need to have faith to attack the cities, Caleb belong to the Judah tribe and Othniel was the son in law of Caleb. Othniel was also the first judge of Israelites. His daughter also boldly seek the water spring. From the above point we can see that Judah tribe have a firmly faith toward the land promise by God. According to God’s word, they seek by the way God instructed therefore the land of Judah can be said won because of faith. 

    (Genesis,49,10) The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people 

    (1 Chronicles,5:2) yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's 

    King were from Judah, which prove Jacob’s prophecy. David, the descendent of Judah, who were a righteous king who follow God’s instruction. David’s descendent inherent the position of king from David. When Jesus was on Earth by flesh, God was descendent of David, which fully prove Jacob’s prophecy and demonstrates the righteous king by Judah tribes. 

    (Genesis, 44:33) Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. 

    Judah’s blessing was started from his witness to sacrifice for his brother, this is from the love that Judah have that makes him want to make his family peaceful. This helped him to received high review and blessing from his father Jacob. Judah was weak in faith before but God uses Jacob’s blessing to prove that these blessings are on Judah. Which demonstrates that, God bless those who are willing to change. Maybe we don’t love our family enough and may lose faith to God’s promise. If we are willing to change, seek for the happiness, faith given by God then God will bless our descendants. Spiritual leader will come out as our descendent. May all of us can truly believe God’s hope on us, boldly pray to God and believe that God will fulfil us according to our faith. 

    (Hebrews, 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Translated by Nicole

摩西之死(申卅四)

耶和華將他埋葬在摩押地、伯‧毘珥對面的谷中，只是到今日沒有人知道他的墳墓。摩西死的時候年一百二十歲；眼目沒有昏花，精神沒有衰敗。(申卅四6-7)

    按著定命，人人都有一死，死後且有審判(來九27)。今天不論是誰，在這個世界上多麼富有，多麼有權勢，終將面臨一死，神的僕人摩西也不例外。神安排摩西的人生，從一出生可以躲過法老的追殺，從水裡被救上來成為埃及法老女兒之子，但他長大了，明白自己的身分，寧可和神的百姓同受苦害，也不願暫時享受罪中之樂，因為他看基督受的凌辱比埃及的財物更寶貴，因他想望所要得的賞賜(來十一24-26)。

   猶 1:9CUV 1:9 天使長米迦勒，為摩西的屍首與魔鬼爭辯的時候，尚且不敢用毀謗的話罪責他，只說，主責備你罷。

    到了申命記的最後一章，記載這偉大的工人摩西離世了，但是沒有人知道他的墳墓，這就是神的智慧，以世人的觀念，偉大的人離世總是要風光大葬，壽終正寢，甚至將他的墳墓當作拜神的地方，也就是將人偶像化，倘若神的選民也陷入這種軟弱，很快地摩西的墳墓就會變成偶像廟，轉去不拜獨一的真神了。

    魔鬼也知道這件事情，所以在猶大書記載魔鬼與天使長米迦勒在爭奪摩西的屍首，為的就是要使神的選民心偏於邪，神也知道人的軟弱，因此將摩西的屍首藏了起來。因此可以看到，將神的工人偶像化，這也是魔鬼的作為。

    每個人都會面臨死亡，但重點是死亡時是否能真正安息，倘若我們相信獨一真神就是主耶穌，接受洗禮洗去了罪，並且一生遵守神的道，甚至一生為主而活，死亡就不再是這麼的恐懼，因為這是主叫我們安息了。摩西在離世前，眼目沒有昏花，精神沒有衰敗，相信這是許多人羨慕的，有些工人屬靈的眼睛一開始是明亮的，但到了後面走偏了，神的道路看不清楚了，這是令人惋惜的，盼望我們每個人也可以像摩西一樣，屬靈的眼睛到人生的最後依然看得清，一生向著我們的天國盼望直奔。

    太 6:22-23CUV 6:22 眼睛就是身上的燈；你的眼睛若瞭亮，全身就光明。CUV 6:23 你的眼睛若昏花，全身就黑暗；你裏頭的光若黑暗了，那黑暗是何等大呢。

    申命記讀完了，我們看到了神興起了他的工人，走過了他的一生，也看到神又興起新一代的工人起來，繼續完成他的救贖之工，告訴我們信仰要繼續往前行，不要因為進入迦南地，得了恩典就忘了造我們的神，更要提醒下一代要愛神，也就是遵守神的道，世世代代地傳下去，當一生愛主我們的神。

    感謝神，石牌與天母教會許多同靈被主恩所感，願意一起來撰寫每日的讀經心得，之後會以下方石牌、天母共同的部落格來張貼文章，這個部落格小弟以後若有感動也會在這邊撰寫，願主耶穌激勵我們所有愛主的人，牧養空中主的羊。

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