From the book Thy Kingdom Comes
Chapter 5. Joshua’s Altar
Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: Deuteronomy 27:6
Section 1. White Altars of Joshua
The problems faced by governments throughout the ages have always been the same problems. The chosen solutions either alleviate the problem or they compound it. The same precepts that applied to God and man thousands of years ago apply today. The daily choice is ours. The solution is within our reach.
Moses chose to be a servant of the people rather than their ruler. Joshua was his servant. Joshua was told to build an altar when he crossed the Jordan. There were conditions placed upon Joshua’s altar of stones.
And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: Deuteronomy 27:2
The stones were to be plastered white. This whitewash was made by burning bones to make lime plaster. This is symbolic of being clothed in white linen or the white stones mentioned in Revelation 2:17. These white stones were representative of men of good character tested by fire and pure of heart.
And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. Deuteronomy 27:3
They were also to have the law written upon them before they passed over the Jordan. Does anyone really imagine that the God of the universe cares whether you cover stones with plaster or write words on them? Or is there a message in these rituals?
God makes it clear throughout the Bible that he wishes to make a covenant with men where He writes His laws upon their hearts and minds, not only on dead stone. These stones and altars were an external reminder of the precepts of God. In some ways they better understood the practical necessities of the day than the learned seminarians and their professors do today.
The altars of sacrifice were instruments of sacrifice and part of a system of trust and liberty used by the government of Israel according to the character of or in the name of God the Father. The Hebrew word for offer is korban [Nbrq qorban]. Some scholars say that the word korban does not have the idea of gift at the center of its meaning. Their conclusion is based on the fact that korban is from the word qarab [brq] which is also translated offer but means come or draw near. True giving in charity does draw us near the character of God. More than anything else charity includes in its operation both love and hope with the byproduct of faith, which is also a gift from God.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13
It is not the shape or color of the altar or the etching upon it but the act of freely giving that consecrates the dead stones of man’s altars. God’s stone altars are made of living flesh, made of men who have His law written upon their hearts and upon their minds.
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
If you are to build an altar of living stone it should be built in the fashion laid down from the beginning, precept upon precept. The stones should not be hewn by the regulations of men but left free to give and be given to by faith, hope and charity. Choosing daily under the law of liberty to consume our bread or charitably cast it upon the waters of mankind. This is nurturing to the soul of men and allows God’s Spirit of love to move in us concurrently.
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
Joshua would not rule over the people and made it clear that he and his house would serve the Lord. This was leadership not a rulership or exercising authority. The altars constructed were not regulated by a top down authority but by the free will choice of the people. These altars acted as the left hand of God’s government of liberty and freedom. The people chose to whom and how they were to make their offerings under the guidelines of the few hundred statutes of Moses.
The nation would remain strong and united as the people remained strong in the character of God, being remade daily in the image of God by their voluntary sacrifice. They were bound under this system of love and brotherhood, unlike the other nations who were bound together by compulsion, intimidation, control, power and subjugating regulations of other men. As long as the people accepted their responsibilities and loved their neighbor as themselves, in faith, hope and charity according to the name of God the nation remained indivisible and invincible.
If the people called for a central government and compelled their neighbor to contribute to their favorite project or charity then they were going against the precepts of God and His kingdom and they would soon be serving the gods to whom they had applied.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
Moses, Joshua and even Gideon kept repeating this common theme of God’s people which is contrary to tyrants, despots and social democracies. They would not covet their neighbors goods nor rule over the people.
Judges 8:23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
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