In these final chapters of Joshua, there is a great story with a message that seems especially relevant at this time. Actually, it’s a timeless and powerful truth but it surely seems especially appropriate right now!
It’s found in chapter 22. It deserves to be read straight from God’s Word so I urge you to go read the chapter on your own. But for the sake of blog space, I will summarize the story and then focus on specific verses.
God had shown Himself faithful to His people (as always!) as they continued in the possession of the land God had promised them. They conquered all that He had told them to and chapter 21 ends with such great words in v. 45 - “Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. “ Hallelujah!
So the people were proceeding to live in the land and all seemed well. Joshua knew he would not be with them much longer and he continued to bless them and exhort them to remain faithful (vs. 2-6). It was in this context of peace and blessing that we take up our story….
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh occupied lands across the Jordan from the rest of the tribes. They had requested these locations and Moses agreed with the stipulation that they would still help the rest of the nation conquer their allotments on the other side. They did just that. Vs 3,4 affirm them for keeping the commandment of the Lord and not forsaking their brothers.
As they completed this task and were returning home, they built a large altar by the Jordan as a memorial, witnessing the fact that they, too, shared in the inheritance of the Lord.
Sounds good so far, right?
Uh, no.
The other tribes reacted with such anger that v. 12 tells us they gathered themselves “to go up against them in war”.
From this side of history, we say “Whaaaaaaaaat???” Why such a reaction to an altar? Why not a rejoicing and celebration instead? Good grief, right??
Well, before we unpack this, let’s skip ahead to the end of the chapter so we can know that it all ended well. V. 33 “and the word pleased the sons of Israel blessed God; and they did not speak of going up against them in war, to destroy the land in which the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad were living”
Whew. Amen.
Now, what is the rest of the story?
In summary, there are two things we can learn from this. Two separate things that we must strive to avoid in order to avoid conflict and to live in peace. Two things, which if we are not purposeful and intentional in staying away from, will result in chaos. Ruin relationships. Break marriages. Divide nations. Hurt and pain and irreparable consequences will follow.
Those two things?
Presumption and assumption.
Presumption is taking for granted, or acting with unwarranted boldness.
Assumption is supposing a thing is true without proof.
The tribes of Israel were guilty of both.
Nine and a half tribes assumed that their brothers had acted against the unity of the nation, that the altar they built was to be a substitute for the sanctuary in Jerusalem. The assumption was that they wanted to separate from what God had ordained and establish themselves as independent. And thus they believed their reaction was noble. In acting on this assumption, they were trying to preserve the unity of the nation. They believed they were reacting to a grievous sin. And they failed to remember the loyal faithfulness of their brothers in helping them conquer their own lands.
But they were wrong.
The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manaesseh built their altar in presumption. They did not consider how their actions might be interpreted and they failed to communicate what they were doing and why. They presumed that the building of this altar would be automatically understood not as a place for burnt offerings (and thus supplanting the need for them to travel to the sanctuary three times a year as God had commanded in Exodus 23:14) but rather as a witness to the fact that they, too, were God’s people even though they lived across the Jordan apart from their fellow Israelites. In this presumption , they gave rise to the misunderstanding from their brothers.
And civil war very nearly ensued.
Oh, how much we have to learn from this! How many times do our actions(including a lack of communication) fail to consider another’s perspective and thus cause pain and anger and harsh reactions? How many times do we jump to conclusions about another’s behavior, assuming we know the motive behind their actions?
And then we are surprised at what follows. Reaction begats more reaction and division results. Each side fails to take into account the other’s side and persists in justifying their action. Each side fully convinced that they are right and the other is wrong.
Wow. Sounds like the world. Our nation. Churches. And, sadly, homes. Wow.
What are we to do?
The best thing is to avoid this heartbreak by not acting in presumption or assumption. May we move forward armed with this wisdom and act accordingly.
But what if we find ourselves in the midst of a conflict right now? One where we are hurt and angry…and convinced we are right and “they” are wrong.
If that is where you are right now, in your home or your church or your social position, you can get help from this passage, Not only in what to avoid in the future but also what to do right now. Here are some things that can restore the relationship to harmony:
Examine yourself. Appeal to God for His light to reveal truth. Be sure that what you are defending is God’s holiness, not your own desires. See what each group did in vs. 13-34. They paused in their reaction and considered the other side.
Communicate face to face. Do not slander or spread your assumptions behind the other’s back. Be loving enough to confront and pursue reconciliation rather than division. In this passage, Phineas went to the other tribes and addressed them in person, explaining their objections to the altar. (vs. 13-19)
Be willing to explain your position and to listen to the other side with a desire to understand. Humility! Listening must involve hearing the message, not just the words. Vs 21-32 show us this response. The altar-builders listened to their brothers and realized their perspective. Then they appealed to the Lord and carefully explained their position. They realized they had failed to take into account how their brothers would perceive this. And the 9 1/2 tribes realized they had not believed the best of those who had just fought on their behalf.
Establish unity based on truth - let the misunderstanding serve as a witness of mutual desire for God’s holiness to be honored and for the relationship to be preserved. Vs. 33-34 leave us with a feeling of relief and gratitude - “And 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 war, to destroy the land in which the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad were living. And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar ‘Witness” for they said it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.” No more presumption. No more assumption. Understanding and responses based on TRUTH.
Somewhere in your life there is a conflict. Somewhere there is hurt and division as a result of presumption or assumption. Are you willing to follow this example God gave us and pursue truth for the sake of unity?