Joshua

Joshua 22: The altar witnesses to the LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we hear why the tribes built an altar by the Jordan, please pray for hearts that worship God alone. Ask Him to help us listen carefully and see how much we need Jesus.

for you shall worship no other god: for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Exodus 34:14

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand the witness of the altar, and show us Jesus, who brings believers near to You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Joshua sends the Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh home, charging them to love and serve the LORD. They build a large altar by the Jordan, and Israel gathers for war. Phinehas and ten princes confront them about what looks like rebellion against the LORD. The builders say they feared their children might be kept from worshiping Him. They explain that the altar is a witness between their generations, not for sacrifice. Israel blesses God and speaks no more of war.

As you read Joshua 22, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God alone is to be worshiped, and the altar witnesses that He is God.

Joshua called the eastern tribes and said they had kept all that Moses and he had commanded (verses 1 and 2). The LORD had given their brothers rest, so Joshua blessed them and sent them home (verses 4 to 6). He told them to love the LORD and serve Him with all their heart (verse 5). They built a great altar by the Jordan, and Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them (verses 10 to 12). First Israel sent Phinehas and ten princes to ask what trespass this was (verses 13 to 16). They reminded them of Peor and of Achan, when wrath fell on the whole congregation (verses 17 to 20). They answered that the altar was a witness, so their children would never be told they had no portion (verses 24 to 27). Phinehas was pleased, and said that now they knew the LORD was among them (verses 30 and 31). Israel blessed God and spoke no more of war, and the altar was named a witness (verses 33 and 34).

How does Joshua 22 show us that God alone is to be worshiped, and the altar witnesses that He is God?

Joshua tells the tribes to love and serve God.

Joshua told the eastern tribes that they had kept all that Moses and he had commanded (verses 2 and 3). He told them to love the LORD, walk in all His ways, and serve Him with all their heart (verse 5). He blessed them and sent them away (verse 6).

Israel hears why the altar was built.

Israel heard of the altar and gathered to go to war (verses 11 and 12). Phinehas and ten princes went first to ask about the trespass (verses 13 to 16). They said it was a witness, so their children would never hear they had no portion (verses 26 and 27). Phinehas and the princes were pleased with the answer (verse 30).

The altar is a witness that the LORD is God.

The eastern tribes said the altar was not for burnt offering or sacrifice (verse 26). It was a witness between them and the other tribes, for all their generations (verse 27). They named it A Witness Between Us that the LORD is God (verse 34). Paul wrote that there is one God and one mediator, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2 verse 5).

Memorise

The children of Reuben and the children of Gad named the altar “A Witness Between Us that Yahweh is God.”

Joshua 22:34

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what rival to God must I bring to Jesus for forgiveness?

The altar by the Jordan was a witness that the LORD is God, and Israel blessed God when they understood. Paul wrote that there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2 verse 5).

We have all put other things in the place of God, and only a mediator can bring us back. Jesus gave Himself on the cross as a ransom for His people, and His one offering needs nothing added. He rose again from the dead.

So turn from every rival to God and come to Jesus. Trust Him, and He will bring you to the one true God. He forgives every sin of those who trust Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the altar was a witness that the LORD is God, and that Jesus is the one mediator. Parents, please explain verses 11 to 20 in your own words, where Israel gathers for war over a mistake. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that the altar stood as a witness to Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.

Ephesians 4:6

Lord God, thank You that You alone deserve worship. Thank You for settling this dispute without war. Please turn our hearts from rival gods and lead every one of us to trust Jesus. During disagreements this week, help us listen, speak truthfully and seek peace while honoring Your word. Amen.