Joshua 20-22 & Psalm 39

God and Joshua now turn their attention to completing plans laid out for by God and Moses. Joshua 20 speaks of the cities of refuge, cities set up in each of the tribal regions with the instructions on how to deal with a slayer fleeing to a city of refuge.

Again, now is the time to implement plans made earlier by God and Moses as the Levites receive their lands in Joshua 21. Of particular interest, notice that the descendants of Aaron recieve cities that have significance to the history of Israel because they were significant in the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Having helped the rest of Israel defeat the inhabitants of Canaan, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manassah have fulfilled their pledge and now are given leave to return home to the east of the Jordan in Joshua 22.

Thinking that now it was a time of peace, the tribes of the east established an altar as a reminder to future generations of the people of Israel who reside on both sides of the Jordan. The western tribes, fearing that they are worshipping foreign gods come out against the east. A delegation is sent to the east, lead by Phinehas. It is determined that the east did not err and turn from God, so tribes return back to their lands. However, the story tells how serious, at the beginning any way, Israel was to remain in covenant with God.

Psalm 39

This is a fascinating Psalm that speaks of one who is struggling with the human condition. It would seem the psalmist has followed a period of silence, while questions and complaints well up within, bubbling forth. Yet, the psalmist seems to bite his or her tongue.

Finally the Psalmist seeks answers and addresses God. Perhaps the tribulation is seen as an act of God for a transgression or perhaps the people is just suffering from live in general. The psalmist though seeks to know about life in general, its fleeting nature, its pitfalls. It is possible as well, that the end of the psalm is a request to be allowed to die in peace.

While a fascinating Psalm, it is also powerful for the psalmist desire to know more about life and asking the difficult questions we all have. As a Psalm it is a reminder that we can turn to God with these difficult and honest questions.