BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 2
Biblical Critique: Israelites
The story of the Israelites, from the Book of Joshua, highlights the importance of keeping
commitments to help avoid adverse outcomes in a conflict. Barsky (2017) discusses how
commitments can have a modern-day meaning of lawful contracts; the Israelites had promised to
keep God’s covenant, and by doing so, they had favorable outcomes in a potentially disastrous
dispute. Additionally, this story highlights how speculation about the intentions of another can
raise suspicions and lead to misunderstandings. Zhao et al. (2019) discuss that one of the top
reasons individuals enter conflict is because of a misunderstanding, and the likelihood of conflict
increases when the misunderstanding occurs when individuals are not face-to-face. It is easy to
see why some of the Israelites became suspicious of the other tribe’s intentions; however, a
peaceful outcome is attainable through His guidance.
Read
Fact Verses
1. Joshua summoned the Reubinites, Gadites,
and half-tribe of Manasseh.
1
2. Joshua thanks the tribes for following the
commandments and sends them to their
homes.
2-4
3. As the tribes depart, Joshua gives them
encouragement and a blessing.
5-6
4. The tribes depart with the riches they have
earned.
7-9
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 3
5. The children of Reuben, Gad, and
Manasseh build an impressive altar.
10
6. Others hear of the altar and assemble to go
to war with the tribes.
11-12
7. Phinehas and representatives confront
tribes about the altar and make accusations.
13-18
8. The representatives assume the altar was
built for another power other than the Lord
19-20
9. The three tribes that built the altar respond
by appealing to God and understanding the
response of the representatives questioning
the altar.
21-23
10. The three tribes explain they built the altar
as an offering and tribute to the Lord, not for
sacrifice.
24-29
11. The explanation of the three tribes is
accepted, and the representatives return home,
resolving the dispute.
30-34
Reflect
What do you see in the passage that relates
to God’s character, man’s character, or
Jesus?
Verses
God’s character Through faithfulness, this passage
demonstrates God’s character when He
awards lands and riches to the Israelites for
2-9
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 4
fulfilling his covenant. Secondly, this
passage shows God’s mercy by allowing
the members of the three tribes to explain
the reasoning behind the altar. Finally, God
showed His unity by guiding the
representatives to question the altar before
attacking the three tribes and resolving the
dispute.
24-29
30-34
Man’s character The story speaks to man’s commitment to
agreements with God when the three tribes
kept their promise to defend God’s lands.
Second, the story highlights man’s
character flaw in misunderstanding and
raises suspicion because of speculation.
2-4
11-18
Respond
The story of the Israelites, from the Book of Joshua, has many applications and
similarities to current world issues. Recently, the auto workers’ union has gone on strike and
blamed the corporate side of the auto industry for misunderstanding their demands. Chang and
Cooke (2018) point out that unions often threaten to go on strike because they want fair labor
practices and to ensure they are adequately paid. Like the Israelite tribes, associations and
corporate officials will clash when profits rise, and workers feel misunderstood and mistreated in
their working conditions. Eventually, like the outcome of the Israelites’ story, unions, and
cooperations can settle their misunderstandings and differences.
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 5
Educational organizations are often plagued with similar misunderstandings; however, it
is through guidance, like how God guided the tribes to talk, that these misunderstandings can be
resolved. One area where misunderstandings happen frequently in education is during the teacher
evaluation, specifically with classroom observations. Administrators can easily misunderstand
the intent of a specific lesson and make assumptions that can damage professional relationships
(Aguilar, 2019). Same as when God’s unity shepherds the suspicious tribe first to question the
altar, school administrators need to take the time to ask follow-up questions regarding a potential
misunderstanding. Administrators often do not take the initiative to clarify their impressions
because they are so busy; however, they must take the time to ask questions, just as the Israelites
did, to achieve a positive outcome.
The interaction between the Israelite tribes regarding the building of an altar is one of
many stories in the Bible where conflict resolution is achieved through God’s grace. Given the
times, it would have been very plausible for the Western Israelites to attack because of their
assumptions around the altar. Barsky (2017) refers to this type of conflict as fact-based because it
can commonly be resolved by clearing up misunderstandings. Furthermore, when minor cultural
differences exist, like the differences in the initial interpretation of the alter, misunderstandings
can exist, and both parties need to be aware of the differences. In the case of the Israelites, the
elders from the tribes arrived with their armies and asked for clarification about the altar. Upon
learning it was built as a tribute to God and not for sacrifice, the tribe accepted the reason and
returned to their homes.
Conclusion
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 6
The Bible, especially the story of the Israelites, is full of lessons about committing to
God’s covenant, not jumping to conclusions that are misunderstandings, and how to
communicate to resolve conflict. The Israelites showcase that ability to ask clarifying questions
during a dispute so transparency can be provided to resolve the conflict effectively. Whether you
are a corporate manager dealing with unions to avoid a strike or a school administrator observing
a teacher in a classroom, misunderstandings mustn’t get in the way of the true meaning of a
situation. The Epistle of St. James tells us, “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow
to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness” (New American Bible,
1970/2011, James 1:19-20). It is God’s will to unify man and, through His grace, provide us the
guidance necessary to not jump to judgment and always assume positive intentions.
BIBLICAL CRITIQUE: ISRAELITES 7
References
Aguilar, S. J. (2019, January 30). Navigating misunderstandings and conflict. Inside Higher Ed.
https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2019/01/31/how-deal-effectively-
misunderstandings-and-conflict-academe-opinion
Barsky, A. (2017). Conflict resolution for the helping professions: Negotiation, mediation,
advocacy, facilitation, and restorative justice. Oxford University Press.
Chang, C. & Cooke, F. E. (2018). Layers of union organizing and representation: The case study
of a strike in a Japanese-funded auto plant in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Human
Resources, 56(4), 492-517. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7941.12181
New American Bible. (2011). Catholic Book Publishing Corporation. (Original work published in
1970)
Zhao, Z. J., Chen, H. H., & Li, K. W. (2019). Management of interpersonal conflict in
negotiation with Chinese: A perceived face threat perspective. Group Decision and
Negotiation, 29(1), 75-102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10726-019-09645-2
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