Justin Houtz

Joshua 22, Acts 2, Jeremiah 11, Matthew 25

DateVersionReading Plan
@July 15, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Joshua 22

Joshua 22:21–24 (ESV) 21 Then the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh said in answer to the heads of the families of Israel, 22 “The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today 23 for building an altar to turn away from following the LORD. Or if we did so to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings on it, may the LORD himself take vengeance. 24 No, but we did it from fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?

The peoples of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh had crossed back over the Jordan to the land of their possession and had setup an altar. The Israelites were told of this, assumed that it was an altar for idol worship and confronted the two and one-half tribes. The peoples of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh then responded that the altar was not built for idolatry but to be as a witness between themselves and the other Israelite tribes across the Jordan for future generations. Thomas Constable illuminates something interesting about this instance when he says, “The Israelites had, of course, erected other memorials for this purpose in the Jordan, at Gilgal (ch. 4), and on Mt. Ebal (8:30-35). However, God had not ordered the building of this altar as He had the other monuments.” While the altar was received well by Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation (Josh. 22:30), Constable continues in saying, “Probably the Israelites should not have allowed this altar to stand. God had not ordained it.”

Acts 2

Acts 2:12–13 (ESV) 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

On the day of Pentecost, the entire house was filled with the Holy Spirit and people began speaking in other tongues. In attendance were devout, Jerusalem Jews from every nation under heaven, bewildered that they were able to understand the Galileans in their own varied languages. Some responded in amazement and perplexity while others mocked and said that they were filled with new wine. It seems at some level absurd that some—upon hearing other perceivable languages being spoken—would attribute this to inebriation. However, it speaks volumes about both the extreme novelty of the situation and of man’s feebleness of comprehension. Because the event did not neatly comport to existing categories of understanding, it was written off rather than embracing and responding in wonder at the work of Divine presence.

Jeremiah 11

Jeremiah 11:14–15 (ESV) 14 “Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble. 15 What right has my beloved in my house, when she has done many vile deeds? Can even sacrificial flesh avert your doom? Can you then exult?

The inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem had turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers who had refused to hear God’s words. Thus, the prophet was told not to pray for the people because God would not listen. The people had no right to be in the house of God when they had done many vile deeds. In this we see God’s just jealousy and intolerance of idolatry. There never has been, never is and will never be allowance made to worship anything but the Lord Jesus Christ. As sovereign Creator and Lord of all, He alone is worthy of our faith and full devotion and is righteous in demanding exclusive worship.

Matthew 25

Matthew 25:12–13 (ESV) 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Either directly or by parable, Jesus made clear that no one knows the day or hour the Lord is coming. The amount of attention paid by Jesus on this concern seems to emphasize its importance. Despite this, many have undertaken efforts to predict or even assume certainty as to the coming of Day. Again, I am reminded of John Piper’s book, “Come, Lord Jesus”, in which he says that we are to “live our lives with the kind of vigilance and expectancy commended by Scripture.”

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