Sermon Notes - Joshua 22 - Littleby Baptist Church - November 23, 2026

1.        I love how chapter 21 ended.

2.        Joshua 21:45

a.        All of the good promises God made, were fulfilled!

b.       God was with the Israelites.

c.        God never left them.

d.       Even when they made mistakes.

e.        Our God is an awesome God.

f.          He does more than we can ever comprehend.

3.        We saw last week that He spread the Levites around the nation to help the people remember Him.

a.        To help them remember all that He has done.

b.       He spread them out like how we use salt and light.

c.        Just like we are to spread out when we leave here.

d.       To be salt and light amongst those who need Jesus.

e.        Those that have maybe drifted for a time.

f.          And those who need to hear about Jesus’ gift.

4.        As we pick up in chapter 22, we find that the 2 ½ tribes have fulfilled their commitment.

a.        They are about to receive their reward.

5.        Joshua 22:1-3

a.        Kudos to the 2 ½ tribes.

b.       Thanks for their service.

c.        They honored their commitment to Moses.

d.       They listened to Joshua.

e.        They fulfilled the command of the Lord.

f.          It is time for them to be blessed in return.

6.        Joshua 22:4

a.        Go home to your families.

b.       Probably the best reward they could ask for.

7.        But it does comes with a warning.

8.        Joshua 22:5

a.        Just because you are going to the other side of the Jordan.

b.       Does not mean you can live differently.

c.        Continue to honor God.

d.       Do as we have been commanded.

e.        If you honor God.

f.          He will give you rest.

g.        You will be blessed.

9.        The reminder is needed.

a.        If they love God with all of their heart and soul, they will find rest.

b.       But Biblical history shows us that they fill falter.

10.   If we love God with all that we are.

a.        We can count on Him being with us.

b.       We can trust in His promises.

c.        We can know that He will never leave us or forsake us.

d.       That He will give us a place in Glory.

11.   Joshua 22:6-8

a.        Return to the land God has given you.

b.       With the blessings you have received.

c.        With a message of sharing the spoils with those who stayed behind.

d.       40,000 soldiers from the 2 ½ tribes ventured out with Joshua.

e.        Others stayed behind to protect and care for the women and children.

f.          They should receive some of the spoils of war.

g.        This falls in line with what God had commanded them in the past.

h.        When the people fought against Midian.

i.          They only sent 12,000 soldiers, 1,000 from each tribe.

j.          But the command from God in Numbers 31:27

k.        Was to share the spoils with all their brothers.

12.   Share the blessings they have received.

a.        Sounds like something we should remember.

b.       When God blesses us, it is not just for us.

c.        The blessings we receive are not to simply fill our bank accounts.

d.       Or to have more toys.

e.        But to care for those in need.

f.          It is part of loving our neighbor as ourselves.

g.        It is why we should sacrificially support our Association and other ministries we give to with the blessings we have received from God.

h.        And that should only be the starting point.

13.   Joshua 22:9-12

a.        They went home.

b.       Then they built an altar.

c.        This raised some major red flags.

d.       Were the 2 ½ tribes taking their eyes off God?

e.        Did they already forget what God has done?

f.          Were they being influenced by the pagans around them?

14.   The 9 ½ tribes, the Israelites in these verses, were concerned.

a.        Questioning why they would do this.

b.       How do they expect to sacrifice to God anywhere except at the Tent and Altar built by God’s command.

c.        How could this be happening already.

15.   We have to be aware of what those we call brothers and sisters are doing.

a.        Not as task masters, but as loving brothers and sisters.

b.       If they stray from God’s commands, we should be ready to call them out.

c.        Not to go to war with them, but to point out the error of their ways.

d.       In hopes of them seeing their way back to God.

16.   Joshua 22:13-15

a.        Before jumping to the extreme and declaring war on their brothers.

b.       They sent a group of people to learn the truth.

17.   Sounds like wisdom at work.

a.        We do not want to jump to conclusions.

b.       We want to make sure we know what is happening.

c.        We need to have the facts.

d.       Like having more than one witness before someone can be accused.

e.        Allowing someone a chance to share their side.

f.          It is the same process we see in Matthew.

18.   Matthew 18:15-17

a.        Work the process.

b.       Before casting someone out like a gentile or tax collector.

c.        This casting out is in regard to being part of the church.

d.       We still love them and hope they return to fellowship.

e.        We still love the people in our lives.

f.          We just don’t consider them a brother or sister in Christ.

19.   Joshua 22:16-20

a.        What are you doing?

b.       How can you turn away from God after all He has done?

c.        The reference to Peor is when the people of Israel worshiped Baal, in Numbers 25.

d.       Achan was the man who stole from God and then the whole Nation was punished when they battled Ai the first time.

20.   The leaders of Israel offered suggestions to keep them from sinning.

a.        If the land is unclean, come join us on the other side of the Jordan.

21.   They did not want to fight their brothers.

a.        It seems like they were looking for a way to restore them.

b.       Similar to the process that is found in Matthew 18.

22.   Joshua 22:21-23

a.        They had no intention of turning against God.

b.       They were not planning on worshipping at this altar.

c.        They did not want God’s judgement.

23.   Joshua 22:24-29

a.        The altar is meant to be a sign.

b.       A symbol.

c.        That they were connected.

d.       A way to ensure their descendants will be able to worship God at the true altar.

24.   Reminds us we have to be careful we do not jump to conclusions.

a.        We may think we know someone’s reason for doing something.

b.       But we cannot know their intent without talking to them.

25.   Joshua 22:30-31

a.        A sigh of relief.

b.       Joy found in knowing the truth.

c.        A reminder that God is with them.

26.   When we are dealing with a difficult situation.

a.        Questioning if someone has turned from God.

b.       If we need to confront a brother or sister.

c.        Having that discussion with them.

d.       It can go one of a couple of ways.

e.        This is a great example of when things go good.

f.          Where we see that God was at work the whole time.

g.        Whether that is through it all being a misunderstanding.

h.        Or when sin is recognized and repented of.

i.          God should be praised for the restoration that was done.

27.   Which they did.

28.   Joshua 22:32-33

a.        They thanked God.

b.       Then they spoke no more about it.

29.   When dealing with conflict with a brother or sister.

a.        With another church.

b.       Within our association.

c.        Once it is resolved.

d.       When restoration happens.

e.        Praise God for what He has done.

f.          Praise Him for bringing clarity or restoration.

g.        Then speak of it no more.

h.        There is no reason to keep talking about it.

i.          Don’t start looking over their shoulders to see if things are still good.

j.          Simply let it go.

30.   Just like God wiping away our sin.

a.        When it is gone, it is gone.

31.   Joshua 22:34

a.        May the altar stand as a symbol between the people on both sides of the Jordan.

b.       That the Lord is God.

c.        That they worship the same God.

d.       That they belong together.

32.   In this chapter we have seen God’s plan for dealing with conflict play out favorably.

33.   We have also seen how important it is

a.        For us to stay focused on our God.

b.       And to be in Godly fellowship.

34.   The Israelites took time to figure out what was going on, before judging their brothers and sisters.

a.        We need to be willing to reach out to those who have drifted away.

b.       Those who may be making something else a god in their lives.

c.        We don’t know if life is getting the better of them for a time.

d.       Or if they have really turned away from the One who has set them free.

35.   If they have turned away from the One who has died for our sins.

a.        The One who defeated death and given us new life.

b.       We need to extend them grace.

c.        Help them see that they need Jesus.

d.       No different than one who has yet to give their life to Jesus.

36.   We all need Jesus.

a.        If you don’t know Jesus but would like to hear more about Him I would love to talk to you.

37.   If Jesus is your savior, but you have turned away for a time.

a.        Know that He is right there waiting for you to turn back to Him.

b.       Simply ask and He will receive you.

c.        If you have a loved one to reach out to, ask God for wisdom and understanding.

d.       Then follow His plan for reaching them.

38.   Let’s pray that God brings restoration to all who have slipped away.

a.        That He gives us the boldness and grace; we need to reach the lost including those who have turned away.