BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 1
Biblical Critique: Israelites
Michael Pociask
School of Education, Liberty University
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 2
Biblical Critique: Israelites
Joshua 22:1-34 describes an incident involving the Israelites and the tribes of Reuben,
Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. A brief synopsis follows. The Israelites, having conquered
much of the promised land under the leadership of Joshua, allowed the tribes of Reuben, Gad,
and the half-tribe of Manasseh to settle on the east side of the Jordan River. These tribes were
released from their military duties with the understanding that they would assist their fellow
Israelites in the conquest of the remaining land west of the Jordan. Upon completing the
conquest, Joshua sent these tribes back to their allotted land with blessings and commendation
for their faithfulness in fulfilling their military obligations. However, concerns arose among the
other tribes on the west side of the Jordan that the altar built by the eastern tribes near the Jordan
River was a sign of rebellion and apostasy.
In response to these concerns, the leaders from the western tribes sent a delegation led by
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, to inquire about the purpose of the altar. The eastern
tribes explained that the altar was not intended for sacrifices but rather as a witness, a symbol of
their unity with the rest of Israel, ensuring that future generations would recognize their shared
covenant with God. Upon hearing this explanation, the delegation returned to the western tribes,
and the potential conflict was averted. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of
communication and unity among the Israelites.
Read
Fact Verses
1. Unity: The unity and cooperation among the tribes of
Israel are emphasized as those who had received their
inheritance on the east side of the Jordan return to their
families on the west side.
Joshua 22:2
2. Faithfulness: Joshua commends the eastern tribes for Joshua 22:3
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 3
their faithfulness in keeping the commandment of Moses,
indicating their adherence to God's instructions.
3. Obedience: The eastern tribes are commended for
obeying Moses' commands, including participating in the
conquest of the land west of the Jordan.
Joshua 22:4
4. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh build an altar
near the Jordan, not for sacrifices, but as a witness, a
symbol of their unity with the rest of Israel.
Joshua 22:10-11
5. Spiritual Unity: The western tribes express concern that
the altar might lead to a breach in their spiritual unity and
faithfulness to God.
Joshua 22:16
6. Diplomacy: Instead of immediately assuming the worst,
the western tribes send a delegation led by Phinehas to
inquire about the purpose of the altar, demonstrating a
commitment to resolving issues through communication.
Joshua 22:13-14, 30
7. Communication: The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and
Manasseh provide a detailed explanation, clarifying that
the altar is not for offerings but as a symbol to maintain
unity with the other tribes.
Joshua 22:21-29
8. Commitment: The eastern tribes affirm their commitment
to the God of Israel, emphasizing that the altar is not
intended to be a substitute for the altar of the Lord in the
tabernacle.
Joshua 22:25
9. The western tribes express concern that the eastern tribes
might turn away from following the Lord and engage in
idolatry.
Joshua 22:17
10. The western tribes express concern about the possibility
of rebellion and apostasy, underscoring the seriousness
with which the Israelites viewed deviations from God's
commands.
Joshua 22:18, 29
11. Respect: Phinehas and the leaders of the congregation
show respect for the words of the eastern tribes,
indicating a reverence for the leadership structure within
Israel.
Joshua 22:30
12. Reliance: The altar-building incident concludes with the
statement that the eastern tribes recognized that the Lord
is God, reinforcing the idea that the Israelites ultimately
relied on divine guidance and recognition of God's
authority.
Joshua 22:31
Reflect
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What do you see in the passage that relates
to God’s character, man’s character, or
Jesus?
Verses
God’s character
Faithfulness: Joshua acknowledges that
God has given rest to the other tribes,
fulfilling His promise to provide them with
the land.
Joshua 22:4
Joshua attributes the inheritance of the
eastern tribes to the Lord, emphasizing
God's role in the distribution of the land.
Joshua 22:9
God's character is reflected in the concern
for unity and covenant observance
expressed by the western tribes, as they
fear a breach in their relationship with
God.
Joshua 22:13-16
Obedience: Joshua urges the eastern tribes
to observe the commandment and the law
that Moses, the servant of the Lord,
commanded them, highlighting the
importance of obedience to God.
Joshua 22:5
The entire incident, including the
resolution of the potential conflict,
underscores God's role in guiding the
Israelites toward understanding and unity.
Joshua 22:13-32
Sincerity: Phinehas and the leaders
acknowledge the sincerity of the eastern
tribes, recognizing that they had not
committed apostasy but had built the altar
as a symbol of their faithfulness to God.
Joshua 22:30
Man’s character The unity and cooperation among the
tribes, as they return to their families on
the west side, reflect a positive aspect of
human character.
Joshua 22:2
The eastern tribes are commended for their
faithfulness in keeping the commandments
and their obedience to both Moses and
Joshua.
Joshua 22:3, 5
The western tribes demonstrate effective
communication by sending a delegation
and engaging in diplomatic dialogue to
understand the purpose of the altar.
Joshua 22:13-14, 30
The eastern tribes affirm their commitment
to the God of Israel and explain that the
altar is not intended for offerings but as a
symbol of their shared worship.
Joshua 22:25, 27
The western tribes express concern about Joshua 22:18, 29
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 5
the potential rebellion and apostasy,
indicating a shared commitment to
avoiding disobedience.
The incident concludes with the
recognition by the eastern tribes that the
Lord is God, emphasizing their
acknowledgment of God's authority.
Joshua 22:31
Respond
In Joshua 22:1-34, the Israelites honored God by approaching a potential conflict with the
tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh with diplomacy, communication, and a
commitment to unity. Rather than immediately assuming the worst about the purpose of the altar
built by the eastern tribes, the western tribes sent a delegation led by Phinehas to inquire about its
significance. This demonstrated a willingness to understand the motives of their fellow Israelites
before passing judgment. The eastern tribes, in turn, honored God by providing a sincere and
detailed explanation, clarifying that the altar was not meant for sacrifices but as a symbol of their
commitment to the covenant and unity with the rest of Israel. Their actions reflected a dedication
to resolving conflicts in a manner that upheld the principles of God's commandments, avoiding
rash judgments and prioritizing unity among the people of Israel.
Communication and clarity play pivotal roles in supporting conflict resolution within the
juvenile detention setting (Barsky, 2017). In this environment, where tensions may run high and
misunderstandings are common, effective communication is essential for maintaining a safe and
rehabilitative atmosphere. Effective communication allows for a better understanding of the
perspectives and experiences of both staff and detainees (Barsky, 2017). This understanding is
crucial in addressing the root causes of conflicts and developing tailored solutions. Clear and
timely communication can prevent conflicts from escalating. When issues are addressed
promptly and transparently, it reduces the likelihood of minor disagreements turning into more
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 6
significant problems (Wang & Wu, 2020). In the juvenile detention setting, where rehabilitation
and behavioral change are primary goals, effective communication and clarity contribute to a
more positive and supportive atmosphere. By emphasizing these principles, conflict resolution
becomes a collaborative effort, promoting the well-being and growth of both staff and detainees.
This passage from Joshua provides valuable insights into conflict resolution and the
importance of effective communication and unity. In the current world, these principles remain
highly relevant, transcending the historical context of ancient Israel. As an assistant principal in a
juvenile detention facility, the parallels between the concerns expressed by the tribes in the
passage and the challenges faced in a correctional setting are striking. The character of the tribes
in the passage reflects a commitment to maintaining unity and addressing potential conflicts with
diplomacy. In a similar vein, working with troubled youth in a detention facility requires a
dedication to fostering understanding and addressing issues proactively. The emphasis on
effective communication, as seen in the passage, is crucial in a juvenile detention environment
where misinterpretations and misunderstandings can escalate tensions (Barsky, 2017).
The conflict resolution strategies depicted in the passage can be applied to the role of an
assistant principal. The tribes' decision to send a delegation for clarification rather than jumping
to conclusions serves as a powerful example. In a juvenile detention facility, the importance of
open communication channels and diplomacy cannot be overstated (Wang & Wu, 2020). The
passage suggests that honoring God during a conflict involves approaching disputes with a
commitment to understanding, a willingness to listen, and a focus on unity. The character in the
passage honored God by seeking resolution rather than immediate judgment. In the juvenile
detention setting, honoring God during conflicts means embodying these principles. It involves
fostering an environment that encourages open communication, understanding the perspectives
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 7
of both staff and detainees, and promoting reconciliation rather than punishment for its own sake
(Wang & Wu, 2020). By drawing inspiration from the biblical passage, an assistant principal in a
juvenile detention facility can contribute to a more harmonious and supportive environment that
aligns with the principles of unity and understanding illustrated in Joshua 22:1-34.
Conclusion
The narrative of Joshua 22:1-34 serves as a timeless and instructive example of conflict
resolution and the significance of effective communication and unity. The Israelites demonstrated
a commitment to honoring God by addressing potential conflict with diplomacy and a genuine
desire to understand one another. In the context of a juvenile detention facility, the parallels are
evident, highlighting the ongoing relevance of these principles in contemporary settings. As an
assistant principal, applying the strategies of open communication, diplomacy, and a
commitment to understanding can contribute to a positive and supportive environment for both
staff and detainees. The biblical passage emphasizes the importance of seeking resolution over
immediate judgment, a valuable lesson for those working in environments where conflicts are
inevitable. By drawing inspiration from the principles illustrated in Joshua 22:1-34, individuals
in positions of authority can play a crucial role in fostering unity, understanding, and
reconciliation in their respective settings, aligning with the timeless wisdom found in the biblical
narrative.
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 8
References
Allan Edward Barsky. (2017). Conflict resolution for the helping professions : Negotiation,
mediation, advocacy, facilitation, and restorative justice. Oxford University Press.
New International Version (NIV) - Version Information - BibleGateway.com. (2015).
Biblegateway.com; BibleGateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-
International-Version-NIV-Bible/
Wang, N., & Wu, G. (2020). A systematic approach to effective conflict management for
program. SAGE Open, 10(1), 215824401989905. sagepub.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019899055
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