Title Let's Speak Good / Joshua 22:30~34
Content Let's speak good things / Joshua 22:30~34
Key Verse: “And Phinehas the priest and the princes of the congregation with him, the heads of ten thousand men of Israel, heard the words of the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh, and they liked it” (verse 30)
Word: There is an article like this. “A single careless word sparks a fight, and a cruel word destroys a life. A bitter word sows the seeds of hatred, and a rude word quenches the fire of love. A kind word makes the road smooth, and a pleasant word brightens the day. A word at the right time relieves tension, and a word of love blesses us.” It can be said that this is a content that speaks well of the power of words. The tongue is only small, but its power is great. If played well, you can pay off thousands of debts, and if played wrong, you can kill your soul. In today's text, the misunderstanding and dispute (verses 10-20) between the people of the western tribe of the Jordan and the two and a half tribes on the eastern side of the Jordan is resolved through the clarification (verses 21-29) by the two and a half tribes, and rather all Israel turns to God. It deals with the scene of the overthrow of the people who rejoice in praise (verses 30-34). What lesson does the text teach us today?
First, good words can melt a person's heart. The children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered with all their hearts about the altar they had built, and Phinehas the priest and the princes who heard this said that they liked it. Such kind words melt and move people's hearts. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” But, on the contrary, soft words calm anger.
Second, good words unite each other's hearts. In verse 31, the priest Phinehas answered: “Now that you have not betrayed the Lord, we know today that the Lord is among us. Now you have delivered the people of Israel into the hand of the LORD.” Afterwards, returning to the Israelites, Phinehas reported the truth. In the end, all the people of Israel were satisfied and became of one accord and praised God. A good word can unite each other's hearts.
Third, good words prevent division. The people of Israel rejoiced because of this, and vowed never to go back to the land of the children of Reuben and Gad and tell them to destroy them. Such good words prevent division in the community.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, let us have good thoughts in our hearts and share good words so that we can put the love of Jesus Christ into practice. Please break down the barriers and help us cultivate the Jesus community. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer