BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: Israelites 2
Biblical Critique: Israelites
This selection from Joshua explains how the homeland of the Israelites was occupied,
how the Israelites and Gadites, Reubenites, and half-tribe of Manasseh handled each other, and
the final result. Joshua gave half of the tribe of Manasseh land in Bashan and the other half land
beyond the Jordan. The tribes were instructed to share what they had received and always follow
the word of the Lord. While traveling, the tribes built an altar by the Jordan in Canaan on the
side that belonged to Israel. When the Israelites heard of the construction of this altar they
immediately concluded that the altar was for the tribe and against God. This belief by the
Israelites came close to resulting in conflict between the two groups. However, the tribes made it
clear to the Israelites that the altar was not against the Lord but for future generations as a
reminder to perform the services of God and to unite the two groups (New American Standard
Version, 1960/1995, Joshua 22: 1-34).
Read
Fact Verses
1. Joshua called the half-tribe of
Manasseh, Gadites and Reubenites.
1 – “Joshua summoned
the Reubenites and the
Gadites, and the half-
tribe of Manasseh”
2. Joshua told the tribes that their task
was complete and they could go back
to their families.
4 – “therefore turn now
and go to your tents, to
the land of your
possessions”
3. Joshua told the tribes to be sure and
follow commandments given by
5 – “follow the
commandment and the
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: Israelites 3
Moses. Law which Moses the
servant of the Lord
commanded you”
4. Joshua sent them home with the
wealth bestowed by God.
8 – “Return to your
tents with great riches
and with very many
livestock, with silver,
gold, bronze, iron, and
with many clothes”
5. The tribes separated and left the sons
of Israel in Canaan.
9 – “So the sons of
Reuben, the sons of
Gad, and the half-tribe
of Manasseh returned
home, leaving the sons
of Israel at Shiloh,
which is in the land of
Canaan”
6. When they got to Jordan, the tribes
built an altar.
10 – “When they came
to the region of the
Jordan which is in the
land of Canaan, the
sons of Reuben, the
sons of Gad, and the
half-tribe of Manasseh
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: Israelites 4
built an altar there”
7. The Israelites learned about the
construction of the altar on the side of
the Israelites.
11 – “the sons of Israel
heard a report…built an
altar…on the side
belonging to the sons
of Israel.”
8. The Israelites prepared to go to battle
against the tribes.
12 – “the entire
congregation of the
sons of Israel
assembled at Shiloh to
go up against them in
battle”
9. The Israelites told the tribes they were
committing an act against God by
building an altar.
19 – “Only do not rebel
against the Lord, or
rebel against us, by
building an altar for
yourselves besides the
altar of the Lord our
God.”
10. The tribes made it obvious to the
Israelites that the altar was not against
God; instead it was to glorify Him and
be a symbol for future generations.
27 – “it shall be a
witness between us and
you and between our
generations after us,
that we are to perform
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: Israelites 5
the service of the Lord
before Him”
11. The Israelites were pleased by this
statement and no longer wished to go
into battle against the tribes.
33 – “The word pleased
the sons of Israel, and
the sons of Israel
blessed God; and they
did not speak of going
up against them in
battle to destroy the
land in which the sons
of Reuben and the sons
of Gad were living.”
Reflect
What do you see in the passage that relates
to God’s character, man’s character, or
Jesus?
Verses
God’s character Those who follow God’s word receive rest.
God will guide mankind to the right
choices.
4
31
Man’s character People tend to assume the worst.
Man makes sudden decisions without
getting all the facts.
11
12
Jesus N/A
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: Israelites 6
Respond
In this section, Joshua called together the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of
Manasseh after achieving victory. He commended their performance and told them to continue
upholding the commandments of God. Joshua then sent the tribes home to share the wealth they
received with their associates. While traveling home, the tribes built an altar in the Jordan region
in Canaan, on land that belonged to the Israelites (New American Standard Version, 1960/1995,
Joshua 22: 1-34). At this point, the situation seemed normal. The tribes were obeying God’s
commandments. However, when the Israelites learned of the altar, the situation began to change.
Conflict frequently occurs because something has been miscommunicated or misunderstood
(Barsky, 2017). One needs to be careful not to make decisions until all the facts have been
gathered. By doing appropriate research on a situation, many conflicts, such as the one in this
section of Joshua, can be avoided.
The Israelites learned of the construction of the altar by the tribes and came to a rapid
judgment that the tribes had built an altar for themselves and, in doing so, turned away from the
Lord. In reaction, the Israelites were determined to go to war against the Reubenites, Gadites,
and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Thus, they sent Phinehas and ten men from Israel to inquire
about the altar. When Phinehas and the men arrived, they were assured by the tribes that the altar
was not against God, but rather a symbol of unity for the Reubenites, Gadites, half-tribe of
Manasseh, and the Israelites in their devotion to the Lord. Therefore, not having all the
information almost resulted in war. Having all the facts can lead to the successful resolution of a
conflict (Barsky, 2017). When the Israelites had all the information, they made peace with the
tribes (New American Standard Version, 1960/1995, Joshua 22: 1-34).
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: Israelites 7
In this situation, both the Israelites and the tribes gathered the data needed to end the
pending hostilities between the groups. This is an example of working together to achieve peace
and fulfill the commandments of God. The Lord is pleased when His people are able to engage in
conflict management using harmonious methods and, thus, honor Him (New American Standard
Version, 1960/1995, Joshua 22: 1-34). The fact that the two sides were willing to listen to each
other and form a bond speaks of how highly they worked in God’s honor. Following the
commandments handed down by Moses, each individual should ensure that he or she listens to
both sides in any situation of conflict management. Communication and the ability to actively
listen are both key measures in handling conflict (Barsky, 2017).
Conclusion
The Israelites were going to wage war against the tribes based on their assumptions
regarding the altar. However, before engaging in battle, the Israelites did research the situation
and discovered that their beliefs there false. Both the tribes and Israelites were satisfied at the
end and the conflict was resolved. In this regard, it is important for one to remember to gather all
the data before taking part in any action. A true Christian does not want to create a problem
where there is not one. It is better to work together to find a solution.
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: Israelites 8
References
Barsky, A. (2017). Conflict resolution for the helping professions: Negotiation, mediation,
advocacy, facilitation, and restorative justice. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.
New American Standard Bible. (1995). New American Standard Bible Online.
https://www.bible.com/versions/100-nasb-new-american-standard-bible/ (Original work
published 1960)
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
