Since everybody knows about my vast knowledge of the 12 spies that searched out Canaan... I decided to write today on a thought that I have had about 2 of them.
Caleb and Joshua were the two spies that brought a good report of the land. The other 10, who for time's sake I will not name (but of course, I could ;)), brought an evil report. But the interesting things is their tribes. You see, Joshua came from Ephraim while Caleb came from Judah.
The children of Ephraim were the original rulers in Israel. When you read through the book of Judges, you will find that the tabernacle was set up in Shiloh... in Ephraim. The "Men of Ephraim" were the Old Testament version of the Pharisees in my opinion. And Joshua was the original ruler. That is why in Jeremiah 31:9 God says that Ephraim was His firstborn.
The problem is that Ephraim fell into sin. Shiloh was destroyed. The men of Ephraim lost their position and status. Judah, beginning with David, became the new predominant tribe. The temple was built in Judah.
You see, Ephraim was God's "intended" tribe. Even though in His foreknowledge He predicted the Star would come from Judah, but still Ephraim had the opportunity to be the chief tribe in all of Israel. (That goes back to Jacob placing his hands on Ephraim, Joseph's 2nd born, and not Manasseh, Joseph's 1st born. But Joseph was the ruler of Israel at that time, for sure!) Instead, Ephraim fell into sin, and God moved His emphasis from Ephraim to Judah.
We find the same principle in God moving His emphasis from Israel to the Gentiles. It was all part of His foreknowledge and part of His works, but Israel did not find that which he sought for, but the Gentiles did.
Anyway, the challenge is to stay right in God's eyes, so that He does not have to find a 2nd-String fill-in for you. He will accomplish that which He purposes, but will you be a part of it?
Just a thought.
3 comments:
I really liked todays post Andy. Not only was it informative, but also very encouraging and convicting. This is a thought that sometimes haunts me. Thinking of when I get to Heaven, how Jesus will show me what could have been! Thanks for the reminder!
I Pet 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
I agree with Mike, Excellent post Andy!
I know that you are not looking for accolades, so I won't over emphasize how great this post was. Maybe as a follow-up to this post, we might learn how not to get "benched", by God.
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