◄ Joshua 22:29 ►
Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from Him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which stands before His tabernacle." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 22:29? 2. How does Joshua 22:29 emphasize the importance of loyalty to God's commands? 3. What can we learn about unity among tribes from Joshua 22:29? 4. How does this verse connect to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. How can we apply the commitment shown in Joshua 22:29 to our lives? 6. What steps can we take to avoid "rebelling against the LORD"? 7. How does Joshua 22:29 address the issue of loyalty to God versus cultural pressures? 8. What historical context influenced the tribes' decision in Joshua 22:29? 9. How does Joshua 22:29 reflect the theme of unity among the Israelites? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 22? 11. How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established? 12. What evidence exists that these extensive rituals, detailed in Numbers 29, were historically observed or feasible at that scale? 13. How do we reconcile the building of a separate altar in Joshua 22:10 with earlier commands to worship at one central sanctuary? 14. Does Solomon's sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2-3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary? Discussion Questions 1. How does the construction of the altar by the Eastern tribes serve as a reminder of the importance of unity in worship among believers today? 2. In what ways can we guard against idolatry in our personal and communal worship practices? 3. How can we demonstrate zeal for God's honor in our daily lives, similar to Phinehas' actions? 4. What lessons can we learn from the resolution of the conflict between the tribes about the importance of communication and understanding in the church? 5. How can we ensure that our faith and worship serve as a witness to future generations, as the altar was intended to be for the Israelites? Joshua 22 Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from the obedience of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh? 2. In modern terms, how can we "observe the commandment and the law" as told by Joshua? 3. How does the reaction of the Israelites to the construction of the altar reflect their dedication to God? 4. How can misunderstandings in faith and practices lead to conflicts within a community? 5. Why did the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh build an altar, and how can we relate this to the ways we ensure continuity of faith in our families? 6. What does the incident of the altar teach us about the importance of communication in resolving conflicts? 7. How does the explanation of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh reflect their faithfulness to God? 8. How can you avoid misunderstandings in your religious community? 9. How can we create "altars" or symbols that remind us of our faith in God? 10. How does this chapter challenge you to maintain unity within your community of faith? 11. Reflect on a time when you faced a misunderstanding because of your faith. How did you handle it? 12. What measures can we take to prevent "breach of faith" in our communities? 13. How does Phinehas' response represent wise leadership? 14. How can we apply the principle of understanding and reconciliation in our daily life? 15. How can you encourage others in your community to avoid hasty judgements and seek understanding first? 16. How did this incident strengthen the unity among the tribes of Israel? 17. How can you create a "witness" in your life to remind you and others of God's presence? 18. Why was naming the altar important for the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh? 19. What can you do today to ensure that your actions are not misinterpreted by others? 20. How can we ensure that our actions today serve as a positive witness for future generations? Links Joshua 22:29 NIV Joshua 22:29 NLT Joshua 22:29 ESV Joshua 22:29 NASB Joshua 22:29 KJV Joshua 22:29 Commentaries Bible Hub