Housekeeping? Yuck. Probably the least favored work for most people; I mean, my kids hear the word ‘chores’ and try to hide from the infamous LIST. Dirty. Hard work. Often unpaid. No room for moving up the ranks, amiright? Is it necessary though? Is it worth it? Yes… unless squalor is your cup of tea. So, too, Biblical housekeeping is worth it!
Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:43-45, emphasis added
After the Israelites were allotted their (literal) God-given portions of land, they sent back the men from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. (They originally desired the land east of the Jordan before all of Israel crossed over and were told by Moses that it would be their part of the Promised Land inheritance IF they were to fully assist in conquering Canaan.) They left to return to their families with a blessing, as well as hordes of livestock, clothing, and riches.
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Building altars…
The physical barrier separating the nation in two was the Jordan River. This was a good size river that paralleled the miracle of the Red Sea crossing when they originally walked over on dry land.
Before traversing the river to head home, though, the men built an “altar of imposing size” in Geliloth. Remember back after the Israelites first crossed over to begin their conquests, one man from each tribe grabbed a large stone from the Jordan and built a memorial in Gilgal (in the Septuagint, Geliloth is understood to be Gilgal). This new altar was impressive.
Back in Exodus 27, we learn about the altar God designed to be part of His tabernacle. There were strict requirements for who could use it, how to use it, and how not to use it. There were basic rules, Biblical housekeeping if you will, that they adhered to. The Israelites set up the tabernacle in Shiloh, altar and all.
For the Israelites to see that a monstrous new altar was formed, nearby to their memorial in Gilgal and seemingly in direct rivalry to the true altar, this was tantamount to a slap in the face. Or so they thought.
Constant Upkeep…
Housekeeping is kind of a battle against upkeep. Constantly. Organizing a closet only to have it be destroyed the next time your kids put away the laundry haphazardly. Sweeping right before lunch. (Gah!) Buying a new box of crayons to find cracked and broken pieces strewn across the floor and the box smashed only to turn around and see your kids decided to test out a new wall color.
The Israelites had fought hard to establish their new nation according to the rules God laid out for them. A couple chapters prior (Joshua 7), God had warned and then taught them that one man could effect the entire nation. Achan chose to sin and the entire nation suffered for it and were blamed as a whole.
But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. …
But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel. …
Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.
Joshua 6:18, 7:1, 7:11-12
Often we read throughout the Old and New Testaments to purge the evil among us, remove the dross (people) from our lives, do not let one person remain who is sinning against the Lord, etc. It is a constant upkeep of Biblical housekeeping to ensure your house, in its entirety, is of the same heart and mind, ever choosing to obey every single word of the Lord.
Confrontation…
Some people thrive on confrontation, it can give them a bit of a rush to exert power in a conversation, essentially causing a bit of fear in them. Others flee from it as fast as they can run. Neither are Biblical responses and we’ll often tend toward one or the other extremes. We are not called to be dominating dictators nor cowering hideaways. It is uncomfortable but must be done with wisdom.
Consider your Pastor, confrontation may be the toughest part of his job. But it is a part of it. He needs to address sin in people’s lives to help them. If they see no need for a Savior, then what is a ‘savior’ for? The pastors who have this nailed down, approach it so well: with confidence that the word of God is backing them as well as with loads of compassion… and sometimes a little tough love, let’s be honest it can be needed!
As an aside, I’d encourage you to be in continual prayer for your Pastor. He and his wife (if married) have really challenging roles, harder than mere housekeeping. They need to constantly enforce Biblical housekeeping is maintained so that the Word of God is wholly upheld.
Approach in love…
And when the people of Israel heard of it, the whole assembly of the people of Israel gathered at Shiloh to make war against them.
Joshua 22:12
Sent by the Israelites, Phineas took the lead in confronting them. After questioning their actions and their motives, he gave the opportunity to respond; while at the same time was fully prepared for war. Collectively, the Israelites offered to give up part of their own newly assigned land to share it with them if that would help them not turn away from God. They were willing to sacrifice their possessions to help their brothers.
On the flip, the Israelites were also asking if God was important enough to them that they would give up their land if it served as too big a temptation to be physically separated by a barrier (Jordan River) to the rest of Israel. Ultimately, they sought to protect God.
Civil war did not break out. Confrontation occurred and peace remained. Had the Israelites ascribed motive to actions without confrontation to find out the truth, the result could have been vastly different.
Every word…
The Israelites had divided up the Promised Land and were reminded that God is good, His promises were all upheld. It’s such a good reminder, so I’m adding it again:
Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:45, emphasis added
After the altar showdown and long after settling, Joshua bids his farewell to the nation. He reiterates his famous pep talk and reminds the Israelites to conduct continual Biblical housekeeping.
“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, 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, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. …
And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.
Joshua 23:6-8, 14, emphasis added
Not ONE WORD has failed. How utterly amazing! Biblical housekeeping is effective and worth it when we serve a God as great as that!
Individual house…
Just as we were reminded about Achan’s choices having a larger ripple effect on those around him, so true is it also for our individual homes. Our Biblical housekeeping needs to start at home with self-choices, how to point each other to Christ within our marriages, and how to remind and inform our children about the truths of God.
Before Joshua dies, one of the last thing he says in his farewell speech to the Israelites, is reiterating the necessity to fully serve the Lord and throw out anything that hinders that. He also offers them the choice to choose for themselves how they live.
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
The NIV states it, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose….” It is a choice. And the choice is yours.
The Israelites wholeheartedly agreed.
Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.
Joshua 24:18b
Have you made the same commitment? Is Biblical housekeeping occurring in your house as a commitment to obey every word of the Lord?
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I don’t enjoy housekeeping, but I sure do love the results of it. 🙂 Whether physical or spiritual. Thanks for sharing this analogy!
I like to remind myself (because I do get impatient with chores) that God is also a homemaker.
I really like your insights about Biblical housekeeping. I am someone who avoids confrontation when I can, and that has always been a big problem for me. Thank you for such great reminders, and how to clean up. Blessings
Visit from your neighbor
12/29/2020 Anchored Truth Tuesdays
Oh thank you, and it’s a struggle for me as well! Thanks for stopping by and saying hello!