Conquering Conflict, Joshua 22

 

Ever been misunderstood? Judged unjustly?

Ever misunderstood? Judged unjustly?

If so, this is for you. 

Honorable Discharge Ceremony, Joshua 22:1-4

Finally, after seven years of bloodbaths, the Promise Land is at rest. Joshua calls the road warriors together for an Honorable Discharge Ceremony. 

The east-siders, (Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh) had fought faithfully with their brothers west of the Jordan. I wonder how many times over the years, did they look to the east, gaze across the Jordan and long to be with their families on the other side?

But now, at last, their deployment comes to an end, and Joshua gathers them together and bids them farewell with a short, yet powerfully timeless, commencement speech. 

Commencement Speech, Joshua 22:5-6

Joshua gives five commands for prospering in the Promise Land.

1.      Love the Lord your God

2.      Walk in all His ways

3.      Keep His commandments

4.      Hold fast to Him

5.      Serve Him with all your heart and soul

Some New Testament counterparts to those powerfully timeless commands are these: 

1.      Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, mind. Matt. 22:37.

2.      Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Galatians 5:16.

3.     If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and remain in His love. John 15:10.

4.      1 Thessalonians 5:21, test all things, hold fast that which is good. 

5.      Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:28.

Packing Up and Heading Home, Joshua 22:7-10

After the speech Joshua gives specific instructions to the family of Manasseh; to divide their family spoils, between those on the east, and those on the west, of the Jordan river.

The east-siders pack up, leave Shiloh and head toward home. However, when they get to the river, before crossing they stop, on the west bank, and build a great, impressive, altar.

 

Hearsay or Heresy? Joshua 22:11-12

The west siders (the other nine and a half tribes) heard someone say that the east siders built a great, impressive, altar. And just like that they were up in arms ready to start a civil war and slaughter their brothers. The very brothers that had just spent seven years away from home, standing with them, shoulder to shoulder, fighting, shedding, blood, sweat and tears.

Why would they be so quick to take up arms against their brothers, their own family? What would create such a reaction?

Before they ever entered the Promise Land, God commanded, through Moses, that all pagan altars, pillars, images and the like, be utterly destroyed. Furthermore, they were not to build any altar except at His direction and location. 

If anyone committed idolatry, by doing otherwise, that man or city was to be utterly destroyed, buried under a heap, and burned. Deuteronomy 12:3-4, Deuteronomy 13:12–18.

They heard that an “altar was built” and assumed they were committing idolatry. Thus, they brandished their swords and gathered for war. 

We had a similar incident here recently. Someone built a great impressive altar by the Jordan, along their border. Well, it wasn’t exactly an altar, or the Jordan, but someone saw it and said something to someone, and somehow it grew into something it wasn’t, and before we knew it, war clouds were gathered. 

Brother against brother. 

But nowadays instead of throwing spears and swinging swords, it’s throwing words and filing lawsuits. 

Misunderstandings happen so quickly; they start wars, end friendships, businesses, marriages, churches… yet, they could be handled so simply, perhaps not easily, but simply.

 

Pause Before Pulling the Trigger, Joshua 22:13-14

Before actually pulling the trigger, they sent a crew to investigate. 

This is good.

You see, they almost overlooked the full command of God back in Deuteronomy. He said if you hear someone say something about someone, regarding idolatry, then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain that such an abomination was committed among you…

Then, after a thorough investigation, then and only then, after all that, then, you shall surely strike. Deuteronomy 13:14-15.

Jesus tells us that if someone sins against you, confront them in person. If they listen, you're restored. If they don't, take one or two again, that every word can be witnessed and confirmed. If they still won't heed, take it to the Church. If they still refuse to repent, treat them as an unbeliever. Matthew 18:15-17.

 

God knows we’ll have conflict; from start to finish, He tells us to search it out, talk it out, work it out… before duking it out. Don’t be one with a short fuse and hair trigger, but as much as it depends on you, pursue peace. (Romans 12:18, Ps. 34:14, Hebrews 12:14).

So, they sent an envoy. One man from each tribe; and Phinehas the priest, Aaron’s grandson, the great nephew to Moses, is leader of the pack. 

The mob was probably happy about that. Phinehas is the guy you want in charge if you’re looking for a fight. He’s a priest, but not afraid to use a spear. Once he killed two birds with one throw. 

God applauded Phinehas. 

But it wasn’t Israel’s finest hour. The men were seduced by local women and ended up bowing down to their false god, Baal of Peor. One man, blind by lust and arrogance, waltzed a woman into his tent right in the sight of Moses and all Israel. 

God was so angry a plague ensued. People dropped dead like flies. He told Moses to have the leaders kill everyone involved in this perverted idolatry. 

Phinehas ran into the tent after those birdbrains and thrust a spear all the way through the man’s body and into the woman’s stomach. So, the plague against the Israelites was stopped, but not before 24,000 people had died. Numbers 25:6-9.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake. Numbers 25:10-11.

So, the mob might’ve said, “Phinehas! Phinehas! He’s our man, if he can’t do it, nobody can. He’ll kick some east-sider’s butt.” 

The mob mentality is:

Ready! SHOOT!! …aim.

God’s is:

Ready, steady, aim, focus, breathe, hold, aim, aim…

shoot

The mob mentality is never the God mentality. If everybody’s doing it, odds are, God’s not. 

Behind every raging mob are demons, holding a gas can in one hand and a match in the other. The gas is assumption, the match is accusation. (Which is what all major news outlets, right and left, use for fuel).

In front of every raging mob are Warriors, holding prayer in one hand, the Word in the other. Prayer is communication, the Word is clarification. 

Where do you stand? Mob or God?  To answer, just ask: “Where do I feed my soul?” Front or behind? Prayer and His Word, or, Facebook and Fake News.

Assumption leads to accusation.

Communication leads to clarification.

Prayer leads to peace.

At this stage of the story, a common theme is to throw the west siders under the bus for listening to hearsay, for entertaining gossip. 

But before we put the bus in drive, let’s pause and give credit where credit is due.

Have you ever heard of the, See Something, Say Something, campaign? It promotes awareness for suspicious activity and provides a reporting venue to assist in prevention of harmful activity.

The west siders heard something and took action. There’s a difference between action, and gossip. And an even bigger difference between action and apathy.

Christians must be alert, vigilant, aware; not silent or apathetic to our surroundings. We are to watch and pray. (Mark 14:38). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him. Stand firm. 1 Peter 5:8-9. 

See something, say something, don’t bury your head in sand, like a lukewarm Ostridge.

THE ACCUSATION, Joshua 22:15-20

So, per God’s command, the west siders sent an envoy to investigate the east siders. (Fortunately, that’s what happened here, too. An envoy was sent to investigate, “the great impressive altar” and the truth was discovered, no blood was spilt, no lawsuits filed, and our street didn’t turn into a lifelong feud between the Hatfields and McCoys).

Phinehas laid it all out, with no sugar coat.  It’s obvious by their accusation, that they thought they already had it figured out; that those dirty rotten low-down east-side-winders, are guilty, guilty, guilty, before proven guilty.

The east-siders waited. Perhaps biting their tongue. They probably couldn’t get a word in edgewise, anyway. 

Finally, fast talking, spear throwing, Priest Phinehas took a breath.

Now the east siders had a chance to respond to the accusation.

THE CLARIFICATION (opening prayer) Joshua 22:21-23.

They opened, not with a rebuttal, but a prayer. 

Yah·weh ’êl ’ĕ·lō·hîm, Yah·weh ’êl ’ĕ·lō·hîm, (LORD Almighty God, LORD Almighty God) He knows the truth, so shall you. If we built this for idolatry may the LORD judge and strike us dead here and now.

After that powerful opening, they continue their response:

THE CLARIFICATION (continued) Joshua 22:24-29.

Truth is, we built this because we were afraid that you’d forget about us in the future. Our kids and grandkids would forget we’re family and we wouldn’t be allowed to cross the Jordan to worship our God in His sanctuary.

So, we built this memorial, a replica in honor of the real altar, as proof and as a reminder, that we have the same God, we are brothers and we have a right to worship in His sanctuary right alongside you.

It should be no surprise that they built a memorial. Seven years prior, not too far from this very spot, the first thing they did after crossing the Jordan for the first time was set up twelve memorial stones at Gilgal.

America’s founding fathers have done the same for us, to remember, our Foundation, and Maker, is God. It’s why the enemy tries to erase, HIStory. 

 

THE RECONCILIATION, Joshua 22:30-34

When the west-siders heard what the east-siders had to say; what could they do? 

“Oh.” Shrug. “You built it as a memorial? Um, well. Oh boy…” slide sword back in scabbard.  “Uh, we never really thought about it like that.” 

Whew. That was a close one. They almost started a civil war with their own family, over…hearsay. 

Think about it. They had everything; peace, freedom, provision, big nest egg retirement, yet, they were only one misunderstanding away from war. 

So are we.

But something happened that turned it all around. A golden nugget worth noting.

Phinehas and crew listened not with just their ears, not with their preconceived ideas, not saying, hurry up and shut up so I can get on with beating you up. They listened with their heart, and they were pleased and perceived that the LORD is among us. Joshua 22:31.

How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1

CONQUERING CONFLICT

1.     Know the enemy. Ephesians 6:12.

When we let down our guard against the war without, we invite a war within

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 1 Corinthians 6:1-3. 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians. 6:12.

 

2.     Be quick to listen, slow to speak. James 1:19.

Everybody has a story. Had they listened first, they’d have never gathered for war.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19.

 

3.     Avoid even the appearance of impropriety. 1 Thessalonians 5:22.

The east siders should’ve informed the west siders of their intentions, to avoid the appearance of idolatry. We must pay attention, others are watching, how are you living as viewed from the outside looking in?

 

4.      Above all, passionately pursue the Presence of the Lord.

We must guard the Lord’s presence with all of our being. Sampson flirted with the world and became so numb he didn’t even know when the presence of the Lord had departed from him. Judges 16:20. David prayed in earnest, “Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11.

Dear friends, has smooth sailing caused you to drift away from His Presence and not even know it? Much of America has drifted far, which only leads to stormy seas, war within, and war without.

Let’s pray.

Lord, You are awesome, and holy and righteous and true.

We are prone to wander.

Help us avoid the war without and the war within by passionately pursuing Your presence; so, we can forever perceive, the Lord is among us.

Thank You,

We love You, forever.

Amen. 

 

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4.

 

In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11.

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor. 3:17.

 

Great peace have they which love Thy law and nothing by any means shall offend them. Psalm 119:165.

 

How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1.