Joshua 22: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Joshua 22 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Joshua commends the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh for their faithfulness to God's commands and their support of the Israelite community (vv. 1-6). He sends them back to their land, which Moses had given them, instructing them to keep God's commandments (vv.

Key verse

“The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, the Mighty One, God, Yahweh, he knows; and Israel shall know: if it was in rebellion, or if in trespass against Yahweh (don’t save us today),”
Joshua 22:22 (WEB)

Outline

Joshua 22:1–6 Joshua commends the eastern tribes
Joshua 22:7–9 Return to their land
Joshua 22:10–12 Building the altar
Joshua 22:13–21 Confrontation over the altar
Joshua 22:22–29 Defense of their actions
Joshua 22:30–33 Resolution and understanding
Joshua 22:34 Naming the altar

Discussion questions

In v6, what does Joshua do before sending the eastern tribes away?
What do the children of Reuben and Gad do in v10 when they reach the Jordan?
The concern over the altar in vv. 12-13: what is the implication for the unity of Israel?
The reasoning in vv. 24-27: what are the eastern tribes trying to communicate about their intentions?
When has a misunderstanding affected your relationship with someone close, like the situation with the altar?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Joshua 22: Numbers 32, Matthew 22, Joshua 7.

Before next time: read Joshua 23.