Preventing Conflict. (Joshua 22:1–34) + Bonus Q&A

Welcome to today’s episode! We’re tackling a vital question: How can we stop conflict before it starts? Drawing from Joshua 22, we’ll explore practical, proactive steps to prevent discord in our communities. Join us as we learn from biblical examples of clear communication, humility, and unity that help keep strife at bay.

Episode Notes

• Proactive Prevention:
  • Conflict isn’t just about mending what’s broken—it’s about nipping issues in the bud.
  • Just as doctors prevent illness and lawyers advise on avoiding legal trouble, we must learn strategies to stop discord before it escalates.
• Biblical Case Study (Joshua 22):
  • The context: After dividing the land, two-and-a-half tribes remained on the east side of the Jordan.
  • Joshua commended their obedience and sent them home, but a misunderstanding arose when they built an altar as a memorial.
  • This act, intended to honor their shared victories, was misinterpreted by the other tribes as an act of rebellion.
• Key Lessons in Conflict Prevention:
  • Direct Confrontation: Address issues early with honest, face-to-face communication rather than letting grievances fester.
  • Open Dialogue: The nine-and-a-half tribes avoided war by forming a committee, meeting their brethren, and clearly explaining their intentions.
  • Unified Purpose: Emphasize a shared mission and remind each other of the blessings and responsibilities bestowed by God.
• Practical Application:
  • Whether in your family, church, or community, don’t let minor misunderstandings grow into major disputes.
  • Approach conflicts with humility, clarity, and a willingness to compromise—just as Joshua’s people did.
  • Remember: True unity is built on direct, loving communication that preempts division.

Thank you for joining us as we explore these timeless strategies to prevent conflict. May this message inspire you to foster unity and proactive peace in all your relationships. Christian or otherwise.

Bonus Q&A.

• Why Did God Choose the Tribe of Levi?
• The tribe of Levi was uniquely chosen by God to serve as Israel’s priestly tribe, dedicated to spiritual leadership and the care of the Tabernacle and, later, the Temple. But why did God specifically choose the Levites for this sacred role? The Bible gives us clear insights into His divine reasoning.
• 1. The Levites’ Zeal for God
• One of the most decisive moments leading to the Levites' selection occurred in Exodus 32 during the incident of the golden calf. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai and saw Israel’s idolatry, he called out:

• “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him.” (Exodus 32:26, NIV)

• 2. A Replacement for the Firstborn
• Originally, God had consecrated the firstborn of every Israelite family to serve Him (Exodus 13:2), but after the golden calf incident, He replaced them with the Levites:

• “I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn … the Levites shall be mine.” (Numbers 3:12, NKJV)

Transcript

Preventing Conflict. (Joshua 22:1-34)

Transcript: 

How can we prevent conflict in our communities, especially when everything seems to be going OK? You see, it’s not just about mending what’s broken; it’s about stopping problems before they escalate. 

Is there a preventative medicine, a strategy we can use to ward off discord before it could take root. Just as doctors advise us on how to avoid illness and good lawyers guide us to take steps to avoid legal troubles, shouldn’t we, as Christian, pastors, leaders, or just everyday good citizens, invest some time in understanding how to avoid conflict rather than constantly putting out fires.

Looking back, I can see I’ve used previous biblical passages we’ve looked at to teach conflict resolution, but what about conflict prevention?

If I could show you practical steps to prevent personal and communal conflicts before they become a crisis, wouldn’t you want to know them? 

Today, I want to share with you a helpful and inspiring example from Scripture—a story recorded in the book of Joshua that reveals how potential conflict was averted before it could erupt into war….

1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. 3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. 4 Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

(Joshua 22: 1-5)

After the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River, they conquered and divided the land. The time had come for them to settle down, work the land, and live in peace. 

Yet, there was a unique challenge: while most tribes received their inheritance on the west side of the Jordan, two and a half tribes had chosen to remain on the east side. Although they had fought alongside their comrades in battle, their designated territory was different. With all the battles behind them and the land divided, it was time for these tribes to return to their rightful homes.

In Joshua 22, Joshua commends these tribes for their unwavering obedience. He reminds them of how they had followed every command given originally by Moses, even while being separated from their families for nearly seven years as they helped secure the land. Their commitment and sacrifice is acknowledged, and Joshua sends them back with gratitude, charging them to return to their homes and to continue living in unity with their fellow Israelites.

What can we learn from this biblical account? Conflict is often prevented when differences are addressed early with wisdom, humility, and open communication. Instead of allowing grievances to fester and breed division, the leaders in Joshua’s time provided clear guidance, reminding the people of their shared mission and the blessings they had received. They focused on unity rather than discord.

Today, as we explore the theme of preventing conflict. Whether in our church, our families, or our workplaces, the goal remains the same: to foster unity and peace by nipping discord in the bud. This isn’t merely a lofty ideal; it’s a practical approach to ensuring that the blessings we enjoy are not mrred by needless strife.

As we r ead todays passage I invite you now to reflect on these insights and to consider how we can apply them in our daily lives. How can we, as a community, prevent conflict before it starts? Let us learn from the past and commit to a future marked by proactive, loving, and respectful engagement with one another.

Consider verse 5 carefully, you’ll notice it contains six distinct commands. This single verse is packed with wisdom. 

5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

(Joshua 22: 5)

Joshua has taken several passages from the law and, in this verse, has summarized them into a clear, powerful charge: Obey the commandments of the Lord, as Moses, the servant of the Lord, instructed. 

He calls on us to love the Lord, walk in His ways, keep His commandments, hold fast to Him, and serve Him with all our heart and soul. 

Notice how this isn’t merely about following rules; it’s about devoted, heartfelt obedience.

6 Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their homes. 7 (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half of the tribe Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan along with their fellow Israelites.) When Joshua sent them home, he blessed them, 8 saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth—with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing—and divide the plunder from your enemies with your fellow Israelites.”

(Joshua 22: 6-8)

Joshua instructs them, saying, “Return toy your homes with great wealth. The final command—to divide the spoils—carries a vital principle: those who go off to battle and those who remain behind to care for the families and farms both deserve to share in the rewards of victory.

This idea is echoed in First Samuel 30. In verse 24, it is written, “For who will feed you in this matter? But as his part is, who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies.” 

The Scriptures makes it clear that both the fighters and the supporters share equally in the spoils. There’s an important spiritual truth here. In our daily battles against spiritual adversity, some of us are on the front lines, while others labor behind the scenes. Whether you are fighting or providing support, through prayer, giving financial assistance, or helping in other ways, we all share in the victory.

Even Paul, in Philippians 4:17, reminds us that his ministry’s success is not about seeking gifts for himself, but about reaping the fruit that will be credited to your account in heaven. When you support a ministry or a missionary, you’re not merely giving money; you’re sharing in the spoils of God’s abundant grace.

Joshua’s message, is a call to two important actions: maintain devoted obedience to the Lord and ensure that every part of the community—both those in the battle and those who remain behind—is honored with a share in the victory. 

This passage challenges us to remember that in our own lives, every contribution matters. Whether you are on the front lines or working quietly in the background, your efforts are essential. Let us take this as a reminder that true victory comes from unified, devoted service to the Lord and it’s a victory we all share.

There is a unique comradeship that emerges in these titanic moments, a bond forged when men struggle together against overwhelming odds. I imagine that these warriors, who fought side by side for seven long years, experienced a deep unity marked by emotional goodbyes, even embraces as the two-and-a-half tribes gathered their spoils and prepared to return home.

The narrative continues: 

9 So the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan to return to Gilead, their own land, which they had acquired in accordance with the command of the Lord through Moses.10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. 11 And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, 12 the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.13 So the Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 14 With him they sent ten of the chief men, one from each of the tribes of Israel, each the head of a family division among the Israelite clans. 

(Joshua 22: 10-14)

As they traversed the rugged mountains and descended into the expansive Jordan Valley, emotions must have surged high. The Jordan itself, along with the natural barriers of steep mountains on one side and a broad, scorching valley on the other, set the stage for an intense moment of transition—reminding us even today of the boundary between modern Israel and Jordan.

In this dramatic context, the two-and-a-half tribes built an altar by the Jordan. Described as a “imposing”, this altar was designed to be seen by all, a public memorial to their shared victories and the unity that had carried them through years of battle. It was more than a religious structure; it was a tangible symbol meant to capture the spirit of their collective journey.

Yet, the moment was bittersweet. As they left Shiloh, their hearts were a mix of joy at returning home and sorrow at parting from comrades with whom they had fought side by side. 

Perhaps building the altar was, in part, a way to deal with the sadness but it didn’t take long for the news of this impressive monument to spread. 

The news stirred a fierce reaction. The entire congregation of Israel gathered at Shiloh, their hearts gripped with horror and indignation. According to Mosaic Law, only one altar was sanctioned, the one at Shiloh. Any other altar was not only unauthorized but an abomination in the sight of God, warranting immediate destruction.

Here, a symbol meant to unite became, in the eyes of many, became a symbol of apostasy and division. The very monument that should have celebrated their unity was misinterpreted as a departure from the Lord’s commands, setting the stage for potential conflict and even war.

This challenges us to reflect on how symbols of unity can sometimes, through misunderstanding, become wedges that drive us apart. In our own lives, we see this paradox frequently. 

The lesson from this passage is clear: unity among God’s people is both precious and fragile. The altar built by the two-and-a-half tribes was intended as a testament to their shared faith and victories. Instead, it was seen as a sign of disobedience—a symbol that threatened the very unity it was meant to commemorate.

But does this passage teach us anything about how we can stop conflict before it erupts into full-blown war between people, between groups, even among Christians? The rest of our story in Joshua 22 provides a fascinating answer.

15 When they went to Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh—they said to them: 16 “The whole assembly of the Lord says: ‘How could you break faith with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the Lord and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now? 17 Was not the sin of Peor enough for us? Up to this very day we have not cleansed ourselves from that sin, even though a plague fell on the community of the Lord! 18 And are you now turning away from the Lord? “‘If you rebel against the Lord today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole community of Israel. 19 If the land you possess is defiled, come over to the Lord’s land, where the Lord’s tabernacle stands, and share the land with us. But do not rebel against the Lord or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the Lord our God. 20 When Achan son of Zerah was unfaithful in regard to the devoted things,[a] did not wrath come on the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.’”

21 Then Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the clans of Israel: 22 “The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord! He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the Lord, do not spare us this day. 23 If we have built our own altar to turn away from the Lord and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the Lord himself call us to account. 24 “No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the Lord, the God of Israel? 25 The Lord has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you—you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the Lord.’ So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the Lord.  26 “That is why we said, ‘Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.’ 27 On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the Lord.’  28 “And we said, ‘If they ever say this to us, or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the Lord’s altar, which our ancestors built, not for burnt offerings and sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’ 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 and sacrifices, other than the altar of the Lord our God that stands before his tabernacle.” 

30 When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community—the heads of the clans of the Israelites—heard what Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had to say, they were pleased. 31 And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, “Today we know that the Lord is with us, because you have not been unfaithful to the Lord in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the Lord’s hand.” 32 Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the leaders returned to Canaan from their meeting with the Reubenites and Gadites in Gilead and reported to the Israelites. 33 They were glad to hear the report and praised God. And they talked no more about going to war against them to devastate the country where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived. 34 And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us—that the Lord is God.

(Joshua 22: 15-34)

In that account, the nine-and-a-half tribes of Israel, prepared for war over what they saw as treachery, instead chose to confront the issue head-on without violence. 

They formed a committee and sent it across the Jordan to meet the two-and-a-half tribes who had built an unauthorized altar. They didn’t rush to arms—instead, they confronted the matter with calm determination. In verse 16, we heard the entire congregation exclaim, “What treachery is this, that you have committed against the God of Israel?” In their eyes, building a separate altar was a direct rebellion against God. Yet rather than engaging in combat, they marched across the river and met their brethren face-to-face, telling them plainly that what they had done was a sin.

They didn’t stop there. They reasoned with them by citing two historical examples.

First, they recalled how women from Edom and Midian had once lured the men of Israel into idolatry through deceptive means—an act that brought severe judgment on Israel. 

Second, they reminded them of the sin at Ai, where disobedience had led to defeat and disaster for the entire congregation. With these examples, they made it clear: building an unauthorized altar would have consequences for all of Israel.

And then they offered a corrective solution. 

In verse 19, they said, “If the land of yours is unclean, then come over to us where His Tabernacle stands, and live among us, but do not rebel against the Lord by building yourselves an altar besides the altar of the Lord our God.” This was not only a rebuke but also a practical suggestion, a way to maintain unity while addressing the issue.

The lesson here is crucial: to prevent conflict, we must learn to confront problems directly and privately, rather than allowing misunderstandings to fester into division. Whether it’s in our personal relationships, within our families, or among fellow believers, the first step in stopping conflict is honest, direct communication. 

When differences arise, we must be willing to give a little, to submit part of our own perspective for the sake of the greater unity of the whole. As Paul reminds us in First Corinthians 6, instead of dragging disputes into public court, we should resolve them among ourselves.

The example here teaches us two important things.

First, true confrontation—done with love, humility, and biblical wisdom—can prevent a potential war from breaking out. 

Second, offering corrective suggestions and being willing to compromise can transform a symbol of division into one of unity. 

When conflict looms, let us face it directly, speak the truth in love, and work together to preserve the unity that is so vital to our fellowship in Christ.

. In First Corinthians 6:7, Paul warns, “It is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another.” In other words, instead of dragging disputes before a secular judge, why not simply endure a wrong and let it pass? 

This is the very approach our brothers in the two-and-a-half tribes took—they were willing to give up part of their land if it meant remaining faithful to God’s law.

Shafer’s commentary on Joshua brings out a truth relevant about our modern church. He point out that in the early church, believers shared everything, not because of enforced rules, but out of genuine love for one another. True love goes beyond mere words; it manifests in our practical lives. Yet today, we sometimes allow material differences to drive a wedge between us, rather than uniting us.

If we are serious about preventing conflict, we must learn to confront issues head-on and offer corrective suggestions. In Joshua’s account, when the nine-and-a-half tribes heard of the unauthorized altar built by the two-and-a-half tribes, they did not immediately take up arms. Instead, they gathered a committee to cross the Jordan and confront the matter directly. 

They said, “What ‘s going on, what you’re doing is a sin against the Lord?” They then reasoned with them by reminding them of similar past transgressions in the history of their nation, like the seduction of Israel by Edomite and Midianite women, and the disastrous sin at Ai. All events that had brought God’s judgment upon the nation in the past.

But here’s the crucial part: the two-and-a-half tribes clarified their intentions. They emphatically declared that their altar was merely a replica—a memorial, not a place for sacrifices. They swore before the Lord, that they meant no rebellion. They did not counterattack or respond with anger; they communicated clearly, offering a clear explanation to prevent further conflict.

Confrontation and open communication can often prevent a dispute from escalating into full-blown war. Instead of letting anger take over, they chose to reason together. They confronted the issue directly, explained their intentions, and proposed an explanation and a resolution that honored God’s law.

In our own lives, whether in our families, communities, or churches, we must learn to do the same. When misunderstandings arise, let’s not allow pride or material concerns to drive us apart. Instead, let’s approach one another with humility, listen carefully, and speak honestly. That’s the key to preserving unity and preventing conflict.

Remember: true conflict resolution begins with personal confrontation and clear communication—not with anger or litigation. Let this message not just rest on the pages of your Bible or in your notes, but settle deep within your heart, guiding your actions every day.

The next time you sense division or conflict—even the slightest hint—don’t sweep it under the rug. Address it immediately so that, instead of strife, you foster peace, harmony, and order. 

The only way to achieve that is to confront the issue directly and communicate openly rather than resorting to combat.

I think this passahe teaches us also not to jump to conclusions or pass judgment behind each other’s backs. Far too often, we judge motives without speaking to the person involved.

If you notice a problem, confront it directly. Don’t duck it or sweep it under the rug. Address it while it’s still small, before it grows into a giant problem that is far more difficult to resolve.

This is the lesson: to prevent conflict, approach issues head-on. Do not hide behind assumptions or judgment. Instead, communicate openly and bring others along when necessary to mediate the situation. By doing so, you can stop small disagreements from escalating into major divisions.

Let this be etched not only on the pages of your Bible or in your notes, but in your very heart. When conflict looms, remember: confrontation and clear communication—done in love and humility—are the keys to unity and peace.