And the land had rest from war...

Near the end of Joshua's life,  Israel had conquered much of the land that God promised them.  The land had been long dominated by people who lived lives far from God, immersed in paganism and idolatry, enjoying to excesses every aspect of their lives.  But God can even use unbelievers and their desires and ambitions to accomplish His will.

For it was the Lord's doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.  -Joshua 11:20

 There is a season for all things, a time for war and a time for rest.  During Joshua's time of rest, there is a beautiful moment.  The people of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh grew concerned that over time, they would be forgotten by those living west of the Jordan river, and would be denied access to worship at Jerusalem.  Their solution was to build a monument in the form of an altar, not to be used for worship, but to be used as a witness, a reminder that they also believe the Lord is God.  The western tribes, believing this was erected for sacrifices, were offended and afraid of God's judgement coming down on them all, so they set out to correct the issue, one way or the other, but peace and wisdom prevailed.

When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads of the families of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke, it was good in their eyes. And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the Lord is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the Lord. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the Lord.”

Then Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the chiefs, returned from the people of Reuben and the people of Gad in the land of Gilead to the land of Canaan, to the people of Israel, and brought back word to them. And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where the people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled. The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.”  -Joshua 22:30-34

Today, according to the media, we live in tumultuous times.  Fear and dread are always before us.  The future is uncertain but have peace that all is working according to God's perfect will.  Take some time to rest and remember, the Lord is in your midst as well.  Trust Jesus to be your witness that the Lord is God!