Joshua 22:16
"This is what the whole congregation of the LORD says: 'What is this breach of faith you have committed today against the God of Israel by turning away from the LORD and building for yourselves an altar, that you might rebel against the LORD this day?
This is what the whole congregation of the LORD says:
The phrase indicates a unified message from the Israelites, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. The "whole congregation" refers to the collective tribes of Israel, highlighting the communal nature of their covenant with God. This reflects the importance of unity in worship and obedience, as seen in other instances where the community acts together, such as in the assembly at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19).

What is this breach of faith you have committed today against the God of Israel:
A "breach of faith" implies a serious violation of trust and covenant with God. The Israelites were bound by a covenant that required exclusive worship and obedience to Yahweh. This phrase echoes the concern for maintaining purity in worship, as seen in the warnings against idolatry in Deuteronomy 13. The historical context involves the Israelites' recent settlement in the Promised Land, where maintaining faithfulness was crucial for their continued blessing and protection.

by turning away from the LORD:
Turning away from the LORD signifies apostasy, a grave sin in the Israelite community. This phrase underscores the danger of deviating from God's commands, which often led to dire consequences, as illustrated in the stories of the judges and kings who turned to other gods. The call to remain steadfast is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing the need for loyalty to God.

and building for yourselves an altar:
Building an altar outside of the designated place of worship was seen as an act of rebellion. The centralization of worship in one location, eventually the temple in Jerusalem, was crucial for maintaining religious unity and orthodoxy. This act could be perceived as setting up a rival place of worship, akin to the sin of Jeroboam who established alternative worship sites (1 Kings 12:28-30).

that you might rebel against the LORD this day?:
Rebellion against the LORD is a serious accusation, suggesting intentional defiance. This reflects the covenantal relationship where God is the sovereign ruler, and Israel is His chosen people. Rebellion is often equated with idolatry and disobedience, leading to judgment and exile, as seen in the prophetic warnings throughout the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah. The concern here is not just for the immediate act but for the potential long-term spiritual consequences for the nation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the Half-Tribe of Manasseh
These tribes had settled on the east side of the Jordan River and were accused of building an altar in rebellion against God.

2. The Whole Congregation of Israel
Represented by the leaders and elders, they confronted the eastern tribes about their actions, fearing it was a breach of faith.

3. Phinehas, Son of Eleazar the Priest
He was sent with ten chiefs to address the potential rebellion, showing the seriousness of the situation.

4. The Altar
Built by the eastern tribes, it was perceived as a potential rival to the altar of the LORD, which could lead to idolatry or division.

5. Shiloh
The central place of worship at the time, where the tabernacle was located, representing the unity of worship for Israel.
Teaching Points
Unity in Worship
The importance of maintaining unity in worship and doctrine is crucial. Just as Israel was concerned about a breach of faith, Christians today must guard against divisions that can arise from differing practices or beliefs.

Zeal for God's Honor
Phinehas' involvement highlights the need for zeal in protecting God's honor. Believers should be vigilant in upholding the truth and purity of worship.

Communication and Understanding
The situation was resolved through dialogue and understanding. This teaches the importance of addressing misunderstandings directly and seeking clarity before jumping to conclusions.

Faithfulness to God's Commands
The fear of rebellion underscores the need for faithfulness to God's commands. Christians are called to adhere to biblical teachings and avoid practices that could lead to spiritual compromise.

Community Accountability
The involvement of the whole congregation shows the role of community in holding each other accountable. Believers should support and correct one another in love to maintain spiritual integrity.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the response of the whole congregation of Israel in Joshua 22:16 reflect the importance of community in addressing potential breaches of faith?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of unity in worship from Joshua 22:16 to modern church practices?

3. How does the role of Phinehas in this passage inspire us to be zealous for God's honor in our own lives?

4. What steps can we take to ensure clear communication and understanding within our faith communities, as seen in the resolution of the conflict in Joshua 22?

5. How can we balance the need for community accountability with grace and love, as demonstrated in the approach taken by the Israelites in this passage?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 12
Discusses the importance of a central place of worship and warns against setting up unauthorized altars, which connects to the concern in Joshua 22:16.

Numbers 25
Phinehas previously acted zealously for the LORD, which provides context for his involvement in addressing the potential rebellion.

1 Corinthians 1
Paul addresses divisions in the church, which parallels the concern for unity in worship and faithfulness to God seen in Joshua 22.
A Supposed Wrong ExplainedT. W. M. Lund, M. A.Joshua 22:1-34
Helping One AnotherF. E. Clark.Joshua 22:1-34
Helping OthersA. Maclaren, D. D.Joshua 22:1-34
MisconstructionC. Ness.Joshua 22:1-34
MisunderstandingJohn Williams, D. D.Joshua 22:1-34
Obedience UnmeasuredH. G. Salter.Joshua 22:1-34
Sincere ObedienceH. G. Salter.Joshua 22:1-34
Standing by Our BrethrenLouis A. Banks, D. D.Joshua 22:1-34
The Altar of TestimonyH. Christopherson.Joshua 22:1-34
The Commander's Parting ChargeAmerican Sunday School TimesJoshua 22:1-34
The Memorial AltarT. R. Stephenson, D. D.Joshua 22:1-34
The Purity and Unity of the ChurchEssex Congregational RemembrancerJoshua 22:1-34
Universal ObligationH. W. Beecher.Joshua 22:1-34
The Cause of This Outbreak of WrathE. De Pressense Joshua 22:9-21
Misunderstandings Among Good PeopleW.F. Adeney Joshua 22:10-34
People
Achan, Eleazar, Gad, Gadites, Israelites, Joshua, Manasseh, Phinehas, Reuben, Reubenites, Zerah
Places
Bashan, Canaan, Gilead, Heshbon, Jordan River, Peor, Shiloh
Topics
FALSE, Altar, Assembly, Break, Build, Builded, Building, Built, Committed, Company, Congregation, Faith, Meeting, Rebel, Rebelling, Rebellion, Says, Thus, To-day, Treachery, Trespass, Trespassed, Turn, Turning, Unfaithful, Wickedness, Wrong, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 22:16

     8468   renunciation

Joshua 22:1-34

     7266   tribes of Israel

Joshua 22:9-34

     5910   motives, examples

Joshua 22:10-24

     8800   prejudice

Joshua 22:10-34

     6718   reconciliation, believers

Joshua 22:13-34

     6115   blame

Library
Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Third Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 12, 16-21. 16 Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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