Read Joshua 16-22.
Most of this section is the account of how the land was
divided among the tribes. The nation
convened at Shiloh and this where they set up
the Tent of Meeting (The Tabernacle).
Now everyone had a place to settle and call their own. The conclusion of chapter 21 is not to be
missed. Israel fought the battles, but it
was God who gave them the victory, peace, and the land by promise. "Not one word of all the good promises
that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to
pass." (21:45)
Two and half of the twelve tribes claimed land on the east
side of the Jordan River
prior to the crossing. With the war
being over they were free to go home. At
their departure in chapter 22, Joshua charged them strongly "to love the
LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to
cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."
(22:5)
As the people of Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh came
to the Jordan they did not
want future generations to think that the separation of a river meant they were not a part of the
nation of Israel
and the worship of God. With all the
best intentions of unity and spiritual commitment, they built an altar as a
monument of remembrance by the river bank.
But when the folks back home got wind that these tribes had
built their own altar, civil war nearly broke out. God made it clear that there was only one altar
and one place where sacrifices were to be made to Him. That altar remained in the Tabernacle in Shiloh . The rest
of the nation perceived this well-intentioned act as an extreme violation of
their faith and the perhaps the worship of false gods. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed to
inquire before taking military action.
There are three key principles here for all of us in
resolving misunderstandings or offences.
1. Confrontation. (22:10-20)
In order for this to be effective it must be prepared. Choose carefully where to meet and when. This should be as mutually comfortable as
possible to have a serious conversation.
Confronting someone with a wrong motive, in a wrong way, or meeting
under false pretenses will only worsen the conflict. It should be seasoned in prayer, lots of it,
so that God is control of you, the situation, and the outcome.
2. Explanation. (22:21-29)
Emotions must be in check so as not to cloud thinking and
reasoning. Wording should be prepared so
the inquiry does not get off-track and cause things to be said that will later
be regretted. What to say and not say is
crucial to the outcome, but the inquiry must be specific and honest. Always assume that there may be something you
do not know or understand yet. Ask for
the explanation and then listen to their answer without interrupting them. Listen to their words and their heart.
3. Reconciliation. (22:30-34)
The legitimate goal of confrontation is restoration. Before any confrontation, you should know
what is needed in order to reconcile the misunderstanding or offence. God loves reconciliation. That is why Jesus came to reconcile us to
God. When we are able to reconcile with
each other we are putting God's heart and principles into real action.
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,
you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be
tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and
so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2)
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