College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Joshua 22 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 22
The dismissal of the eastern tribes. The war of conquest had been finished. Land had been distributed to the tribes receiving an inheritance west of the Jordan. The three eastern tribes had fulfilled their promise of assisting to conquer the land, and they were now ready to return to their possessions east of the Jordan. Joshua called the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh and sent them home from Shiloh.
An altar erected at Jordan. When the three eastern tribes reached the valley of the Jordan River they stopped on the west side and erected an altar. Their actions were reminiscent of the two memorials which Joshua and the children of Israel erected in the Jordan Valley when they crossed over on dry land near Jericho. Their motive in building this altar was misunderstood for a time, and it nearly caused a civil war in Israel.
A reason given for the altar. The eastern tribes explained that their purpose in erecting the altar was reasonable. They had not built the altar in order to have their own place to worship. They were not trying to abandon the sanctuary which had been set up at Shiloh. It was not their purpose to offer strange sacrifices to a heathen god. They had erected the altar as a reminder to their brethren on the west that Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were an integral part of Israel.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Avoid the very appearance of evil. The eastern tribes had not been very careful to prevent giving the wrong impression to their brethren. They erected an altar which had the appearance of being in competition with the altar at Shiloh. The Apostle Paul has written that Christians should avoid the very appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). It should be the aim of every Christian to dress in such a way that he would not be mistaken for a lewd person. He should conduct himself so as not to be thought of as one who is riotous and unruly. In every aspect of his life he should be careful of the appearance he makes.
2.
Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. Phinehas led the children of Israel to war against the eastern tribes. On the surface, it had appeared that the eastern tribes were in rebellion against the Lord. Without making full inquiry into the matter, the ten princes who were with Phinehas and all the armies of Israel were ready to begin civil war. Phinehas charged the Gileadites with committing iniquity, similar to that practiced in Peor. They were compared to Achan, who committed a trespass in the accursed thing. After the eastern tribes explained their actions, the other Israelites were satisfied; and civil war was averted. In many similar instances today, people jump to conclusions and condemn their neighbors on circumstantial evidence, Their zeal in striving to do what is right is admirable; but when zeal is based on insufficient evidence or inaccurate information, dangers of every sort arise.
3.
Out of sight; out of mind. The eastern tribes were afraid that they would be forgotten by their brethren west of the Jordan. This was their reason for building an altar after the pattern of the altar at Shiloh. They knew that people soon forget their friends who are absent, Parents become unmindful of children who are away from home and neglect to pray for them. Children move aged parents to rest homes and are negligent in not observing their birthdays and other special occasions. Missionaries are sent to the field and forthwith forgotten. Such things ought not so to be, and every effort should be made to establish means for remembering those who are absent.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 22
1.
Name the three tribes which settled east of the Jordan?
2.
From what point were these three tribes dismissed?
3.
Where did these three tribes erect an altar?
4.
What name was given to the land possessed by the eastern tribes?
5.
Whom did the children of Israel send to accost the eastern tribes?
6.
How many princes of Israel were with him?
7.
What earlier tragedy in Israel did the erection of the altar call to mind?
8.
To the sin of what man did they compare this act of the eastern tribes?
9.
What name was given to the altar erected by the eastern tribes?
10.
What was the meaning of the name given to the altar?