May 7, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Joshua and Titus? Here’s today’s reading:
Joshua 22 (NIV)
Eastern Tribes Return Home
1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded.……Continue Reading
Wow, what a lesson in not presuming or being reactionary when we first learn of something. It was good that the Israelites sent a delegation to those Eastern tribes rather than just attacking. It was good for them to ask for an explanation for what they did and it was also good that the Eastern tribes did not get defensive when confronted. They actually express understanding over the western tribes concern! Communication can be a valuable thing and there are good lessons in this chapter to model.
Joshua 22
Joshua 22
Joshua 20-22; 2 Timothy 4
Joshua 22
What a great example to us of proper communication when a conflict arises. Sometimes our initial reaction to something assumes the worst and leads to fighting or speaking about the issue with those not related to it, however, that is not how God wants us to handle matters.
They went directly to the tribe with the intent to confront in love about the altar so they could avoid a potentially serious fight. They even offered to help them if needed to make things right. Then they allowed time for them to explain themselves. The conflict resolved without fighting and it stayed between the involved parties. It is important that we not just jump to worst case when issues arise in our relationships but rather believe the best in one another and follow this model to resolve our conflicts.
”The children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar, Witness, “For it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.”“
Joshua 22:34 NKJV
Yikes, so much depends on interpretation and intention. It’s good that this wasn’t the beginning of a split in the kingdom. Jeroboam later would set up a separate altar to keep his subjects from traveling to Jerusalem to worship, so it is not an unsubstantiated fear.
Wasn’t Phinehas the one who speared through those who were committing harlotry in the temple? I was concerned that he might take action before hearing the whole story!
Joshua 22