Joshua 22:29 – God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn this day from following the Lord, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle.
There are few more potent phrases in the Bible than “God forbid.” It is always associated with avoiding calamitous sin and error. In Old Testament and New, these words express the most vehement desire for God’s intervention.
In Joshua the children of Israel were conquering and settling the land promised to their forefathers. When some of the tribes decided to settle east of the River Jordan, they realized that this river created a barrier between them and their fellow Israelites. They then erected a giant altar as a memorial of their common bond of worship of the One True God. However, their fellow Israelites misinterpreted the memorial as an attempt to setup a separate place of sacrifice.
Civil war almost resulted from the bitter emotions that erupted when those on the west side of the Jordan thought their brethren meant to go against the commands of God. The eastern tribesmen declared, “God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn this day from following the Lord, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle” (Joshua 22:29). This declaration of loyalty to the Lord and Savior should echo in our ears.
We too have one Lord and Savior today. We should have one church, but alas sin, pride, disagreement, and division have caused much grief in Christendom. God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord.
Like those Israelites east of the River Jordan, we must examine ourselves. We must examine our local congregation. Are we doing things that others might interpret as going against God? Are we willing to fix this perception? Division comes naturally, but a house divided shall not stand.
Follow Christ and Christ alone. If Christ does not command it, then why are we doing it? If Christ did not forbid it, then why do we? Opinions will vary but truth endures forever. Let not divisions be once named among you in the truth.