Sunday Morning Bible Study 06/13/2010

Trouble in Paradise
Joshua 22
I. Observation
A. Context
1. Who are the people in this passage? What do we know about them?
a. Eastern Tribes: ___________________________________________________________
b. Phinehas and 10 elders: ____________________________________________________
2. When does this passage take place? Is there anything significant about when this passage occurs?
a. After all the land, including the cities of refuge (Ch. 20) and Levitical towns (Ch. 21),
had been distributed. This is important because the eastern tribes had pledged to help the
rest of Israel until they had received their inheritance too.
3. Where do the events of this passage take place? What do we know about these places?
a. At the beginning of the passage, all of the Israelites are encamped at Shiloh (v. 9), but as
the eastern tribes return home, they stopped at Geliloth, a city on the eastern borders of
Benjamin, yet still within the Promised Land (west-Jordan), to build an altar (v. 10)
B. Summary of Events
1. Joshua calls Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh and permits them to return back
to their possessions on the eastern side of the Jordan River. (v. 1-9)
2. The Eastern Tribes stopped at Geliloth and built an altar, angering the rest of Israel (v. 10-12)
3. Israel was ready to make war on these tribes for their actions, but chose rather to send Phinehas,
son of Eleazer the priest, and 10 elders from the remaining tribes to talk to them. (v. 12-15)
4. The delegation confronted the Eastern tribes regarding their actions and reminded them of all the
hardship brought on all of Israel when sin had entered their midst. (v. 15-20)
5. The Eastern Tribes responded by explaining that they were not making an altar to worship other
gods nor were they trying to replace the altar of the Lord in the Tabernacle. They were erecting
the altar as a reminder to future generations of Israel that they still shared in God’s blessings,
though they did not reside in the Promised Land (v. 21-29).
6. This answer pleased the delegation, so they returned to Israel and delivered their report (v. 30-32)
7. Israel was satisfied at this report and no longer sought to make war against their brothers (v. 33)
8. The Reubenites and Gadites named the altar, “A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God (v. 34)

II. Discussion Questions

1. Why were the Eastern Tribes allowed to return home?
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What did the Eastern Tribes do that angered Israel enough to prepare for war against them?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Based on v. 15-20, why did the Israelites think that the Eastern Tribes had built this altar?
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Based on v. 21-29, why did the Eastern Tribes actually build the altar? Was this a good idea?
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Why was this situation such a big deal? _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What principles/themes do you see in this passage? _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. How do we see God at work in this passage? Do we see any aspects of his character revealed?
______________________________________________________________________________

III. Application
1. Israel was infuriated at the thought that their brothers had so quickly forsaken the Lord’s
commands. Perhaps we should be more bothered when our fellow believers continue sinning.
2. This passage is a great example of a Biblical rebuke. Notice how the basis for the entire rebuke
in v. 15-20 is based upon (1) what the Lord had commanded and (2) what the Lord had done.
3. Are you clear in your motives to others? Would anyone see your actions and wonder if they’re
pure? While the Lord knows our hearts, we need to be careful not to cause others to stumble.
Teacher: Johnny Hughes (living2serve@gmail.com) MYA 2.0 is a ministry of Metropolitan Baptist Church, OKC, OK (http://www.mbcokc.org)