Warning: Undefined variable $time_difference in /home4/hpvcxhmy/public_html/wp-content/plugins/similarity/similarity.php on line 324
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /home4/hpvcxhmy/public_html/wp-content/plugins/similarity/similarity.php on line 336
Warning: Undefined variable $time_difference in /home4/hpvcxhmy/public_html/wp-content/plugins/similarity/similarity.php on line 324
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /home4/hpvcxhmy/public_html/wp-content/plugins/similarity/similarity.php on line 336
Warning: Undefined array key 112 in /home4/hpvcxhmy/public_html/wp-content/plugins/similarity/similarity.php on line 214
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home4/hpvcxhmy/public_html/wp-content/plugins/similarity/similarity.php on line 214
Warning: Undefined array key 112 in /home4/hpvcxhmy/public_html/wp-content/plugins/similarity/similarity.php on line 237
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home4/hpvcxhmy/public_html/wp-content/plugins/similarity/similarity.php on line 237
In the Old Testament there is a fascinating story about two and a half tribes from the 12 tribes of Israel. These two and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) were promised an inheritance by Moses that lay outside the promised land on the condition that their men would not reside there until the remaining tribes had taken possession of their inheritance lands in the promised land.
When Joshua took Moses’ place as the leader of Israel and was preparing to take the people across the Jordan River into the promised land he called the leaders of those tribes and reminded them of their promise to Moses. They responded by saying:
All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. (Joshua 1:12)
As I read that response I realized that if they truly believed that Joshua had authority from God to speak for God to them there was no other answer they could have given. Any other answer to be given would be an indication that they did not truly believe that Joshua had the authority to speak the word of God for them.
People of faith need to consider that just because they recognize someone as having authority to speak for God to them does not mean that others believe in the authority of that person to speak for God and they should not seek to compel others to act according to their belief in the authority of that person. Likewise, nobody should ever be surprised when some people take that kind of approach to being obedient to the words of someone that they acknowledge as having legitimate authority to speak for God.
For myself, I found it to be very inspiring and hopeful to hear my feeling articulated for the only possible answer I could give to those few people who I see as having the authority to speak to me in behalf of my Heavenly Father:
All that thou commandest me I will do, and whithersoever thou sendest me, I will go.
