(Joshua 22) “A Witness Altar”

Published 10 October 2025

Scroll down for “Lessons Learned…”

Designed for Personal Bible Study or for Bible Teaching

1️⃣ Assuming rebellion before hearing the explanation (Josh. 22:11–12).
2️⃣ Letting rumors race ahead of truth back at Shiloh (Josh. 22:11).
3️⃣ Forgetting the nation’s unity across the Jordan — east and west are one people (Josh. 22:24–25).
4️⃣ Neglecting Joshua’s fresh commissioning while reacting in suspicion (Josh. 22:4–5).
5️⃣ Reading the altar’s appearance as defiance instead of asking its purpose (Josh. 22:10).

1️⃣ Mobilizing for war before dialogue and discernment (Josh. 22:12–14).
2️⃣ Letting offense escalate rather than seeking peacemaking counsel (Josh. 22:13–14).
3️⃣ Suspecting covenant betrayal instead of remembering years of faithfulness (Josh. 22:2–3).
4️⃣ Risking civil conflict among brothers right after a season of victories (Josh. 22:12).
5️⃣ Failing to center the conversation on God’s dwelling and worship from the start (Josh. 22:19).

1️⃣ Vengeance in the heart — readiness to fight family instead of listen (Josh. 22:12).
2️⃣ False accusation risk — charging idolatry or rebellion without proof (Josh. 22:16–20).
3️⃣ Contempt for covenant memory — ignoring shared history of obedience (Josh. 22:2–3).
4️⃣ Distrusting God’s provision of one worship center (Tabernacle) as common ground (Josh. 22:19).
5️⃣ Unbelief that God can turn conflict into unity and witness (Josh. 22:31, 34).

1️⃣ Finishing the mission faithfully before returning home (Josh. 22:2–3).
2️⃣ Joshua’s God-centered commissioning to love, obey, hold fast, and serve (Josh. 22:4–5).
3️⃣ Sending a priestly delegation to inquire before acting — peacemaking in motion (Josh. 22:13–14).
4️⃣ Clear testimony from the east tribes — the altar as remembrance, not rebellion (Josh. 22:21–29).
5️⃣ Naming the altar “Witness”—a lasting call to unity and worship (Josh. 22:34).

1️⃣ Let love lead — listen first, inquire second, then decide (Josh. 22:13–14).
2️⃣ Keep worship central — the Tent of Meeting unites God’s people (Josh. 22:19).
3️⃣ Build “witness” reminders in your life that call you back to faithfulness (Josh. 22:27–28, 34).
4️⃣ Hold fast to God’s commands in every season—mission complete doesn’t end devotion (Josh. 22:5).
5️⃣ Turn misunderstanding into testimony — let reconciliation glorify God (Josh. 22:30–31, 34).

1️⃣ Commission clearly and God-centrically; define love, obedience, and service (Josh. 22:5).
2️⃣ Investigate before you mobilize — send trusted mediators (Josh. 22:13–14).
3️⃣ Use symbols wisely — build memorials that reinforce unity in God (Josh. 22:27–28, 34).
4️⃣ Keep the worship center as the organizational center — gather people around God’s presence (Josh. 22:19).
5️⃣ Celebrate reconciliation publicly — declare together, “The LORD is God” (Josh. 22:31, 34).