Sermon Tone Analysis

The Tale of Two Witnesses

This week we will be looking at an interesting interaction between two specific groups within the people of Israel.

First as a reminder, I want to review the background of the 2 1/2 tribes that recieved their inheritance from the Lord by the word of Moses.

They recieved their inheritance

They were told they would need to accompany their fellow Israelites into Canaan, and assist them in possessing the Promised Land.

They agreed and they kept their word.

Their oath to the Lord on behalf of the other tribes.

Joshua’s commendation and cue.

In the first part of , their faithful leader gives them credit for their faithfulness and perseverance.

He then gives them further encouragement to continue to obey all that the Lord has commanded them to do.

Joshua 22:10-34

Confrontation & Accountability

Joshua 22:

16 “Thus says the whole congregation of the Lord, ‘What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away this day from following the Lord by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the Lord? 17 Have we not had enough of the sin at Peor from which even yet we have not cleansed ourselves, and for which there came a plague upon the congregation of the Lord, 18 that you too must turn away this day from following the Lord?

And if you too rebel against the Lord today then tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.

Accountability

Joshua 22:

19 But now, if the land of your possession is unclean, pass over into the Lord’s land where the Lord’s tabernacle stands, and take for yourselves a possession among us.

Only do not rebel against the Lord or make us as rebels by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the Lord our God.

The Tale of This Witness

28 And we thought, ‘If this should be said to us or to our descendants in time to come, we should say, “Behold, the copy of the altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you.”

’

Joshua 22:

The Response

The Response

Accountability

Reconciliation

The Response

A Witness

An Altar was set up as a witness or testimony of their commitment to the Lord God.

Not for sacrifice but to confirm their commitment to The Lord.

Notice in verse 22, the first words of their response to being confronted.

They did not become defensive, or argumentative.

Instead they

Reconciliation & Restoration

Accountability

Reconciliation

The Response

Matt 12:

4 Rules of Communication

Be Honest- Ephesians 4:15

Keep Current- Ephesians 4:26

Attack the Problem, Not the Person- 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Act, Don’t React- Proverbs 14:29

We can see the fist rule “Being Honest”- Keeping your word, Speaking only truth put into practice by both parties.

The 10 tribes told them exactly what they perceived the purpose of the altar was.

The 2 and a half tribes, responded with the actual intended purpose of the altar and they affirmed their answer by asking the Lord to pass immediate justice if they are lying.

Joshua 22:22

The Second rule of keeping current we can safely assume was followed here.

We aren’t told exactly how long the altar had been there before the 10 tribes made the accusation, but we aren’t told that other events or circumstances took place between the time the altar was built and the confrontation took place.

The third rule also appeared to have been followed, they did not attack the 2 and half tribes, that lived beyond the Jordan.

Although we aren’t certain, what would have happened had the two and a half tribes offered a different response to the accusation.

The fourth rule- act, don’t react- also was likely obeyed in this instance.

The 10 tribes did not quickly attack and attempt to exact immediate justice for the perceived evil, that was taking place.

Instead, they assembled together and agreed to go and confront their fellow Israelites.

3 Steps of Making a Humble Observation

Observation- This is what I have observed that concerns or encourages me.

Interpretation- This is how I have or could interpret my observation

Clarification- Can you please clarify this information from your perspective?

Can you please help me to see how God’s Word applies to this situation?

O. I. C.

Oh, I see!

One Body- Unity of Spirit

Matt 12:

Eph