Joshua 22:10-34

Misunderstandings among good people.

Bitter contention often arises from simple misunderstanding. The Israelites were on the verge of a civil war as a result of a simple mistake of judgment. Much unhappiness might be avoided if the lessons of this incident were well considered by Christian people.

I. CONSIDER THE INCIDENT IN RELATION TO THE TRANS - JORDANIC TRIBES . They erected an altar of witness which was supposed by their brethren to be an altar of sacrifice, a rival to the altar at Shiloh, a mark of national secession and religious schism.

(a) lest quarrels be engendered;

(b) lest the name of God be dishonoured;

(c) lest the weak be hindered.

(a) foolish, for it injures ourselves;

(b) unjust, for it allows the world to suffer for a false impression; and

(c) ungenerous, since our brethren have a right to expect us to justify our conduct when this is possible.

II. CONSIDER THE INCIDENT IN RELATION TO THE TEN TRIBES . These tribes were hasty in judgment, but wise in conduct.