July 3, 2021
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Reading along with us in Joshua? 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. 3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you.........Continue Reading
Joshua 22
Wow, what a lesson in not jumping to conclusions! The Israelites were right in wondering what the eastern tribes were doing to set up an altar, but to assemble for war before giving them a chance to explain is bad protocol to follow. Now it is good that they send the envoys before attacking. Once they do that, they provide a good example to follow. First they choose leaders that are regarded and would be trusted to decide wisely. Secondly, they explain their take on the situation and express the serious nature if the eastern tribes are doing what they think. Thirdly the eastern tribes address the main concern first….far be it from us to walk away from God….and then they explain why they have done what they did. It actually reenforces fidelity to God and not walking away, but they also express understanding why their actions were confusing to the western tribes. Lastly the western tribes reenforce that they understand what they have said and even express affirmation of it. So after that first over reaction, they did well to resolve the conflict in a notable way….
A wonderful lesson on how we should not jump to conclusions and judge others; that we can’t know the heart of our fellow man. As the pastor states so eloquently above, this becomes a fantastic example of how we should be discussing what we see as infractions (other than jumping to that initial conclusion as they did, and don’t we all do that?)
A good lesson in conflict resolution.
1. Don’t jump to conclusions.
2. Reinforce your common goals and commitments (the Lord)
3. both sides explain their reasoning for the actions taken.
4. come to a resolution/understanding.
30When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community—the heads of the clans of the Israelites—heard what Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had to say, they were pleased. 31And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, “Today we know that the Lord is with us, because you have not been unfaithful to the Lord in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the Lord’s hand.”
32Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the leaders returned to Canaan from their meeting with the Reubenites and Gadites in Gilead and reported to the Israelites. 33They were glad to hear the report and praised God. And they talked no more about going to war against them to devastate the country where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.
34And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us—that the Lord is God.
Joshua 22
Joshua 23&24