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Week 9: The Altar by the Jordan

Book of Joshua Chapter 22

Objective: 

  • The Altar by the Jordan

Resources:

Reading:

  • Book of Joshua chapter 22

Key verse(s):

  • "But take a careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

Comments:

  • Return of the Tribes (verses 1-9)
    • The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh return to their land east of the Jordan River after helping the other tribes conquer the land of Canaan. 
  • An alter by the Jordan (verses 10-34)
    •  This altar is considered new and unusual because it was built on the western side of the river, which raised concerns among the other tribes that it might indicate a rebellion or a deviation from worshiping at the central sanctuary in Shiloh. The chapter addresses the misunderstanding and clarifies the purpose of the altar.
    • The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh explain the purpose of the altar they built, which was intended as a witness to future generations of their shared heritage with the tribes on the western side of the Jordan River. 
    • Avoid rushing to judgment about others. Instead, seek to understand and address them with patience to clarify the truth. Overcome all the devil's schemes with love.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

  • Why were the Israelites so quick to go to war over an altar?
  • What reason did the Reubenites, the Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh give for building the altar?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

  •  The children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh built an ________ by the Jordan
  •  The altar was called ________ for it is a _________ between us that the Lord is ____________.
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