Joshua 22
BSB1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and told them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. 3 All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God. 4 And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as He promised them, you may return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you across the Jordan. 5 But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." 6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way, and they went to their homes. 7 (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan among their brothers.) When Joshua sent them to their homes he blessed them, 8 saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies." 9 So the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in the land of Canaan to return to their own land of Gilead, which they had acquired according to the command of the LORD through Moses. 10 And when they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. 11 Then the Israelites received the report: “Behold, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the border of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side." 12 And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them. 13 The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the land of Gilead, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 14 With him they sent ten chiefs—one family leader from each tribe of Israel, each the head of a family among the clans of Israel. 15 They went to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the land of Gilead and said to them, 16 “This is what the whole congregation of the LORD says: ‘What is this breach of faith you have committed today against the God of Israel by turning away from the LORD and building for yourselves an altar, that you might rebel against the LORD this day? 17 Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD. 18 And now, would you turn away from the LORD? If you rebel today against the LORD, tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel. 19 If indeed the land of your inheritance is unclean, then cross over to the land of the LORD’s possession, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and take possession of it among us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the LORD our God. 20 Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’" 21 Then the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the leaders of the clans of Israel: 22 “The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today. 23 If we have built for ourselves an altar to turn away from Him and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD Himself hold us accountable. 24 But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? 25 For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you Reubenites and Gadites. You have no share in the LORD!’ So your descendants could cause ours to stop fearing the LORD. 26 That is why we said, ‘Let us take action and build an altar for ourselves, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices. 27 Rather, let it be a witness between us and you and the generations to come, that we will worship the LORD in His presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings.’ Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD!’ 28 Therefore we said, ‘If they ever say this to us or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the altar of the LORD that our fathers made, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’ 29 Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from Him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which stands before His tabernacle." 30 When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation—the heads of Israel’s clans who were with him—heard what the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had to say, they were satisfied. 31 Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this breach of faith against Him. Consequently, you have delivered the Israelites from the hand of the LORD." 32 Then Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, together with the other leaders, returned to the Israelites in the land of Canaan and brought back a report regarding the Reubenites and Gadites in the land of Gilead. 33 The Israelites were satisfied with the report, and they blessed God and spoke no more about going to war against them to destroy the land where the Reubenites and Gadites lived. 34 So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar Witness, for they said, “It is a witness between us that the LORD is God."
Study Notes — Joshua 22
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Joshua 22
- Themes from Joshua 22
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Joshua 22
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with Joshua dismissing the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who had been given land on the east side of the Jordan River, after they had fulfilled their obligation to help the other tribes conquer Canaan (Joshua 22:1-4). However, when the other tribes saw that they had built an altar, they prepared for war, assuming it was for idolatrous purposes (Joshua 22:10-12). Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, led a delegation to confront the tribes, and they explained that the altar was not for sacrifice, but as a witness to their faithfulness to God (Joshua 22:21-29). The chapter concludes with the altar being named 'Ed' as a witness between the tribes, and the potential for conflict is averted (Joshua 22:34).
Context for the Chapter
Joshua chapter 22 is part of the larger narrative of the conquest of Canaan, which began in Joshua 1. The chapter is a reminder that the conquest is not just about physical victory, but also about spiritual obedience and faithfulness to God. The chapter also looks forward to the rest of the book of Joshua, which will describe the distribution of the land among the tribes and the establishment of the tabernacle at Shiloh.
Heart Application
This chapter reminds us of the importance of unity and faithfulness among believers. We must prioritize our relationship with God and with each other, and be careful to avoid conflict and division. We must also be mindful of the dangers of assumptions and the importance of clear communication and trust.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Joshua chapter 22 is about the importance of unity and faithfulness among God's people. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh built an altar, which sparked concern among the other tribes, but was ultimately revealed to be a witness to their faithfulness to God (Joshua 22:10-12). The chapter reminds us to prioritize our relationship with God and with each other, and to be careful to avoid conflict and division (Joshua 22:5).
Voices from the Church
“The unity of the church is a precious thing, and we must be careful to maintain it. We must not let our differences divide us, but rather let our shared commitment to Christ unite us.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The church is a body, and as such, it must be united in its worship and obedience to God. We must not let our individual interests divide us, but rather let our shared faith in Christ unite us.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Dismissal of the Eastern Tribes (Joshua 22:1-4) — Joshua dismisses the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who had been given land on the east side of the Jordan River, after they had fulfilled their obligation to help the other tribes conquer Canaan.
- The Building of the Altar (Joshua 22:10-12) — The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh build an altar, which sparks concern among the other tribes, who assume it is for idolatrous purposes.
- The Confrontation and Resolution (Joshua 22:13-29) — Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, leads a delegation to confront the tribes, and they explain that the altar is not for sacrifice, but as a witness to their faithfulness to God.
- The Naming of the Altar (Joshua 22:34) — The altar is named 'Ed' as a witness between the tribes, and the potential for conflict is averted.
- The Conclusion (Joshua 22:1-34) — The chapter concludes with a reminder of the importance of unity and faithfulness among God's people, and the need for clear communication and trust in maintaining that unity.
Core Doctrines
- The Importance of Unity
- This chapter teaches that unity among believers is essential for maintaining a strong witness to the world and for avoiding conflict and division.
- The Dangers of Idolatry
- The chapter warns against the dangers of idolatry, which can lead to division and conflict among God's people.
- The Importance of Obedience
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in the tribes' commitment to follow Moses' law and to serve God with all their heart and soul.
- The Importance of Faithfulness
- The chapter teaches that faithfulness to God is essential for maintaining a strong relationship with Him and with each other.
Lessons from Joshua 22
- The Importance of Clear Communication — The chapter highlights the importance of clear communication in avoiding conflict and maintaining unity among God's people.
- The Dangers of Assumptions — The chapter warns against the dangers of assumptions, which can lead to conflict and division among God's people.
- The Importance of Trust — The chapter emphasizes the importance of trust in maintaining unity among God's people.
- The Importance of Obedience — The chapter teaches that obedience to God's commands is essential for maintaining a strong relationship with Him and with each other.
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God, as seen in the tribes' commitment to follow Moses' law and to serve God with all their heart and soul.
Themes from Joshua 22
- Unity — The chapter highlights the importance of unity among God's people, and the need for clear communication and trust in maintaining that unity.
- Faithfulness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God, as seen in the tribes' commitment to follow Moses' law and to serve God with all their heart and soul.
- Obedience — The chapter teaches that obedience to God's commands is essential for maintaining a strong relationship with Him and with each other.
- Trust — The chapter emphasizes the importance of trust in maintaining unity among God's people.
- Clear Communication — The chapter highlights the importance of clear communication in avoiding conflict and maintaining unity among God's people.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the main theme of Joshua chapter 22, and how does it relate to the larger narrative of the conquest of Canaan?
- How does the chapter highlight the importance of clear communication and trust in maintaining unity among God's people?
- What are some ways that we can prioritize our relationship with God and with each other, and avoid conflict and division?
- How does the chapter warn against the dangers of assumptions and the importance of clear communication?
- What are some ways that we can apply the principles of unity and faithfulness to our own lives and relationships?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Dismissal of the Eastern Tribes (Joshua 22:1-4)
| Joshua 22:1 | Joshua dismisses the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who had been given land on the east side of the Jordan River, after they had fulfilled their obligation to help the other tribes conquer Canaan. |
| Joshua 22:2 | Joshua praises the tribes for their faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. |
2. The Building of the Altar (Joshua 22:10-12)
| Joshua 22:10 | The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh build an altar, which sparks concern among the other tribes, who assume it is for idolatrous purposes. |
| Joshua 22:11 | The other tribes prepare for war, assuming that the altar is a sign of rebellion against God. |
3. The Confrontation and Resolution (Joshua 22:13-29)
| Joshua 22:13 | Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, leads a delegation to confront the tribes, and they explain that the altar is not for sacrifice, but as a witness to their faithfulness to God. |
| Joshua 22:21 | The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh explain that the altar is a witness to their faithfulness to God, and not for idolatrous purposes. |
4. The Naming of the Altar (Joshua 22:34)
| Joshua 22:34 | The altar is named 'Ed' as a witness between the tribes, and the potential for conflict is averted. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the altar built by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh?
The altar was built as a witness to their faithfulness to God, and not for idolatrous purposes (Joshua 22:21-29).
Why did the other tribes assume that the altar was for idolatrous purposes?
The other tribes assumed that the altar was for idolatrous purposes because they did not understand its purpose, and they were concerned about the potential for rebellion against God (Joshua 22:10-12).
How did the confrontation between the tribes resolve?
The confrontation was resolved when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, led a delegation to confront the tribes, and they explained that the altar was not for sacrifice, but as a witness to their faithfulness to God (Joshua 22:13-29).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 22:5 → Deuteronomy 6:5 | The command to love God with all one's heart and soul is found in Deuteronomy 6:5. |
| 2 | Joshua 22:10 → Exodus 20:3-5 | The prohibition against idolatry is found in Exodus 20:3-5. |
| 3 | Joshua 22:21 → Psalm 133:1 | The importance of unity among God's people is highlighted in Psalm 133:1. |
| 4 | Joshua 22:29 → 1 Corinthians 10:14 | The warning against idolatry is also found in 1 Corinthians 10:14. |
| 5 | Joshua 22:5 → Matthew 22:37-40 | The command to love God with all one's heart and soul is also found in Matthew 22:37-40. |
| 6 | Joshua 22:10 → Acts 7:39-43 | The warning against idolatry is also found in Acts 7:39-43. |
| 7 | Joshua 22:21 → Ephesians 4:3 | The importance of unity among God's people is highlighted in Ephesians 4:3. |
| 8 | Joshua 22:29 → 2 Thessalonians 2:4 | The warning against idolatry is also found in 2 Thessalonians 2:4. |
| 9 | Joshua 22:5 → Hebrews 8:10 | The command to love God with all one's heart and soul is also found in Hebrews 8:10. |
| 10 | Joshua 22:10 → Revelation 21:8 | The warning against idolatry is also found in Revelation 21:8. |
Sermons on Joshua 22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Studies in Joshua 04 - Dividing the Land by Alden Gannett | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of destruction as seen in the Book of Judges and the history of Israel. He emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and obedience |
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With All Your Heart by Jack Hyles | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of giving one's all in service to God. He shares his own commitment to preaching the word of God with all his heart and soul. |
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The Trans-Jordanic Tribes by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the lessons from the Trans-Jordanic tribes, who, despite choosing a portion outside the promised land, exemplified unselfish service by aiding their brethre |
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Joshua Chapter 13 the Trans-Jordanic Tribes by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson explores the lessons from Joshua Chapter 13, focusing on the two and a half tribes that chose their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. He emphasizes their uns |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Joshua 22
In this chapter, we see the importance of unity and faithfulness among God's people. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh built an altar, which sparked concern among the other tribes, but was ultimately revealed to be a witness to their faithfulness to God. This chapter reminds us of the importance of clear communication and trust in maintaining unity, and the dangers of assumptions and idolatry. As Matthew Henry notes, 'the altar was a witness to their faithfulness, and a monument of their affection to the rest of their brethren.' (Joshua 22:21-29) This chapter also highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in the tribes' commitment to follow Moses' law and to serve God with all their heart and soul (Joshua 22:5). Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Importance of Clear Communication
The chapter highlights the importance of clear communication in avoiding conflict and maintaining unity among God's people. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh could have avoided the concern of the other tribes if they had clearly explained the purpose of the altar from the beginning.
The Dangers of Assumptions
The chapter also warns against making assumptions about others' intentions. The other tribes assumed that the altar was for idolatrous purposes, which led to conflict and division.
The Importance of Trust
The chapter emphasizes the importance of trust in maintaining unity among God's people. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh trusted that the other tribes would understand their intentions, and the other tribes trusted that they would not engage in idolatry.