Bible Study - Joshua 22
S — And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where the people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled. 34 The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, "For," they said, "it is a witness between us that the Lord is God."
Joshua 22:33–34 ESV
O — Commentary:
"... it illustrates certain principles that were vital to Israel living together in the land harmoniously and under God's full blessing. The same principles apply to those in God's family today:
It is commendable for believers to be zealous for the purity of the faith. Compromise of truth is always costly.
It is wrong to judge people's motives on the basis of circumstantial evidence. It is important to get all the facts, remembering that there are always two sides to every dispute.
Frank and open discussion will often clear the air and lead to reconciliation. But such a confrontation should be approached in a spirit of gentleness, not arrogance (Gal. 6:1).
A person who is wrongly accused does well to remember the wise counsel of Solomon, "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Prov. 15:1).
Donald K. Campbell, "Joshua," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 367.
A — Look at what just happened here. The tribe did something that looked wrong. Someone questioned them instead of condemning them. They gave an honest answer. And everyone let it go.
That's the pattern.
We're wired differently. We think differently. Conflict is coming — guaranteed. So here's the choice: write a story in your head about someone's motives, or go talk to them. One destroys relationships. The other builds them. And once it's resolved? Let it go. No grudges. No rehashing it six months later.
What would your marriage look like if you lived this way? Your friendships? Your team?
R — Father, you are mercy and truth. Give us the courage to have the hard conversation instead of holding the silent grudge. Teach us to ask before we assume. Teach us to forgive before we're asked.Help us value people the way you value us. In Jesus' name, amen.
