BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: JOSHUA 1
Biblical Critique: Joshua
C. Elizabeth Kenan
School of Education, Liberty University
Author Note
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to C. Elizabeth Kenan
Email: [email protected]
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: JOSHUA 2
Biblical Critique: Joshua
This critique will explore the conflict between the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh
and the Israelites in the biblical story written in Joshua 22:1-34. After Joshua releases the tribes
of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh they use their reward to build an altar on the border of Canaan.
When the Israelites heard this, they sent a priest and leaders to confront the tribes. The tribes
explained to the Israelites their purpose and agreed to build an altar as a witness to their service
to the Lord. Once the sons of Israel heard this they no longer had ill will towards the tribes.
Read
Fact Verses
1. Joshua praised the tribes for their work and
dedication during the war and sent them home
to rest as God had granted them this.
1-6
2. Joshua reminds the tribes to follow God's
word and continue to serve God.
5
3. Joshua sent the tribes away with a reward
for their work and explained that they should
share it with their brothers.
7-8
4. The sons of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe
of Manasseh built a large altar in Jordan.
10
5. The sons of Israel received a report that the
sons of Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe Manasseh
had built an altar on the side belonging to
11-12
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: JOSHUA 3
them and went to confront them.
6. The sons of Israel sent a priest and a leader
for each of their father’s households to the
sons of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of
Manasseh.
13-14
7. The priest and the fathers confronted the
sons of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of
Manasseh about their building of an altar.
They explained to them that the congregation
of the Lord had questioned their building of
an altar and that by doing so they were
rebelling against the Lord.
15-17
8. The Israelites explained that rebelling
against the Lord would reflect badly on the
Israelites.
18
9. The Israelites tried to persuade them to
settle among the Israelites as long as they did
not attempt to rebel against them or the Lord.
19
10. The sons of Reuben and Gad and the half-
tribe of Manasseh explained to the Israelites
that God knows and if it were to be a
21-22
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: JOSHUA 4
rebellion they should not save them.
11. It was offered that an altar be built as a
witness for generations to come of their
service to the Lord.
26-27
12. The priest and families of Israel were
pleased with the explanation the sons of
Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of
Manasseh gave.
30
13. This explanation was shared with the sons
of Israel and they chose not to go to battle.
32-33
14. The sons of Reuben and Gad and the half-
tribe of Manasseh named the altar Witness
because the Lord is God.
34
Reflect
[List the places you see God’s character, man’s character, or how the passage points to Jesus in
the chart below. You must at least identify two of the three. List the verses that support what
you see. Delete these instructions.]
What do you see in the passage that relates
to God’s character, man’s character, or
Jesus?
Verses
God’s character God was gracious to the Reubenites and
Gadites for their commitment to him
2-4
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: JOSHUA 5
during the war and granted them rest.
Man’s character Dependable: The Reubenites, Gadites, and
Manasseh did what Moses asked of them
and did not abandon their brothers during
the war.
2-3
Man’s Character Defensive: When the sons of Israel heard
about the built in front of the land of
Canaan they sent a priest and leaders of
households to confront the sons of Reuben,
Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
12-16
Man’s Character Rationale: The sons of Reuben, Gad, and
the half-tribe of Manasseh remained calm
when accused of rebelling against God and
offered to build an altar as a witness of
their service to the Lord.
26-27
Respond
The Israelites assumed that the tribes of Rueben, Gad, and Manasseh built the altar as a
rebellion against the Lord. They built a mutual understanding once the matter was discussed and
could avoid a war. Unfortunately, in most cases, the opportunity to civilly discuss a conflict and
come to a resolution does not occur. There is an increase in the number of wars in the Middle
East, which understandably so comes with much deeper issues than what the tribes and the
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: JOSHUA 6
Israelites faced. However, one current world application that relates to Joshua 22:1-34 is world
leaders meet with each other to discuss current world events and attempt to agree on how to
approach them. They may not always agree on how to do so, but they try to compromise to help
avoid further conflict.
As a leader, I often have to help others work through conflict. Most recently the librarian
and the media assistant have had difficulty agreeing with one another. With their most recent
conflict, they both came to me on separate occasions to discuss their side. Both of their stories
were different and both had a different understanding about why there was a disagreement. Until
they can have an open mind and consider how the other is feeling, there will continue to be
conflict. Instead of siding with one of them, it is my job to help them build an understanding and
resolve their conflict.
The Israelites honored God by sending leaders of Israel to confront the tribes who had
built an altar near Jordan. These leaders were brought to negotiate with the tribes before there
was further conflict. The negotiators utilized discussion and exploration as Barsky (2017)
explains both parties can discuss their concerns and should use active listening to help them
understand the other parties' side. The leaders questioned the purpose of the tribes building an
altar and gave them an alternative so that they would not rebel against God. The tribes also
honored God by choosing to build an altar that would be a witness to their service to God. The
tribes collaborated with the Israelites when they demonstrated high concern for their needs and
the needs of the Israelites (Barsky, 2017).
Conclusion
The Israelites and the tribes honored God with the way that they handled this conflict and
by how each was careful not to rebel against Him. Both parties were able to discuss their conflict
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: JOSHUA 7
civilly and come to an understanding without causing war. The Israelites and the tribes
collaborated by the Israelites keeping an open mind and the tribes suggesting that the altar be
built as a witness to their service to God. By collaborating they were able to avoid further
conflict. If we are to follow God's word we must ensure that we are listening to one another and
that our actions have good intentions.
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: JOSHUA 8
References
Barsky, A.E. (2017). Conflict resolution for the helping professional (3rd ed.). New
York, NY: Oxford University Press.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
