Josué - Caput 22

Josué 22.1 eodem tempore vocavit Iosue Rubenitas et Gadditas et dimidiam tribum Manasse Josué 22.2 dixitque ad eos fecistis omnia quae vobis praecepit Moses famulus Domini mihi quoque in omnibus oboedistis Josué 22.3 nec reliquistis fratres vestros longo tempore usque in praesentem diem custodientes imperium Domini Dei vestri Josué 22.4 quia igitur dedit Dominus Deus vester fratribus vestris quietem ac pacem sicut pollicitus est revertimini et ite in tabernacula vestra et in terram possessionis quam tradidit vobis Moses famulus Domini trans Iordanem Josué 22.5 ita dumtaxat ut custodiatis adtente et opere conpleatis mandatum et legem quam praecepit vobis Moses servus Domini ut diligatis Dominum Deum vestrum et ambuletis in omnibus viis eius et observetis mandata illius adhereatisque ei ac serviatis in omni corde et in omni anima vestra Josué 22.6 benedixitque eis Iosue et dimisit eos qui reversi sunt in tabernacula sua Josué 22.7 tribui autem Manasse mediae possessionem Moses dederat in Basan et idcirco mediae quae superfuit dedit Iosue sortem inter ceteros fratres suos trans Iordanem ad occidentalem eius plagam cumque dimitteret eos in tabernacula sua et benedixisset illis Josué 22.8 dixit ad eos in multa substantia atque divitiis revertimini ad sedes vestras cum argento et auro aere ac ferro et veste multiplici dividite praedam hostium cum fratribus vestris Josué 22.9 reversique sunt et abierunt filii Ruben et filii Gad et dimidia tribus Manasse a filiis Israhel de Silo quae sita est in Chanaan ut intrarent Galaad terram possessionis suae quam obtinuerant iuxta imperium Domini in manu Mosi Josué 22.10 cumque venissent ad tumulos Iordanis in terra Chanaan aedificaverunt iuxta Iordanem altare infinitae magnitudinis Josué 22.11 quod cum audissent filii Israhel et ad eos certi nuntii detulissent aedificasse filios Ruben et Gad et dimidiae tribus Manasse altare in terra Chanaan super Iordanis tumulos contra filios Israhel Josué 22.12 convenerunt omnes in Silo ut ascenderent et dimicarent contra eos Josué 22.13 et interim miserunt ad illos in terram Galaad Finees filium Eleazar sacerdotem Josué 22.14 et decem principes cum eo singulos de tribubus singulis Josué 22.15 qui venerunt ad filios Ruben et Gad et dimidiae tribus Manasse in terram Galaad dixeruntque ad eos Josué 22.16 haec mandat omnis populus Domini quae est ista transgressio cur reliquistis Dominum Deum Israhel aedificantes altare sacrilegum et a cultu illius recedentes Josué 22.17 an parum vobis est quod peccastis in Beelphegor et usque in praesentem diem macula huius sceleris in nobis permanet multique de populo corruerunt Josué 22.18 et vos hodie reliquistis Dominum et cras in universum Israhel eius ira desaeviet Josué 22.19 quod si putatis inmundam esse terram possessionis vestrae transite ad terram in qua tabernaculum Domini est et habitate inter nos tantum ut a Domino et a nostro consortio non recedatis aedificato altari praeter altare Domini Dei vestri Josué 22.20 nonne Achan filius Zare praeteriit mandatum Domini et super omnem populum Israhel ira eius incubuit et ille erat unus homo atque utinam solus perisset in scelere suo Josué 22.21 responderuntque filii Ruben et Gad et dimidiae tribus Manasse principibus legationis Israhel Josué 22.22 fortissimus Deus Dominus fortissimus Deus Dominus ipse novit et Israhel simul intelleget si praevaricationis animo hoc altare construximus non custodiat nos sed puniat in praesenti Josué 22.23 et si ea mente fecimus ut holocausta et sacrificium et pacificas victimas super eo inponeremus ipse quaerat et iudicet Josué 22.24 et non ea magis cogitatione atque tractatu ut diceremus cras dicent filii vestri filiis nostris quid vobis et Domino Deo Israhel Josué 22.25 terminum posuit Dominus inter nos et vos o filii Ruben et filii Gad Iordanem fluvium et idcirco partem non habetis in Domino et per hanc occasionem avertent filii vestri filios nostros a timore Domini putavimus itaque melius Josué 22.26 et diximus extruamus nobis altare non in holocausta neque ad victimas offerendas Josué 22.27 sed in testimonium inter nos et vos et subolem nostram vestramque progeniem ut serviamus Domino et iuris nostri sit offerre holocausta et victimas et pacificas hostias et nequaquam dicant cras filii vestri filiis nostris non est vobis pars in Domino Josué 22.28 quod si voluerint dicere respondebunt eis ecce altare Domini quod fecerunt patres nostri non in holocausta neque in sacrificium sed in testimonium vestrum ac nostrum Josué 22.29 absit a nobis hoc scelus ut recedamus a Domino et eius vestigia relinquamus extructo altari ad holocausta et sacrificia et victimas offerendas praeter altare Domini Dei nostri quod extructum est ante tabernaculum eius Josué 22.30 quibus auditis Finees sacerdos et principes legationis Israhel qui erant cum eo placati sunt et verba filiorum Ruben et Gad et dimidiae tribus Manasse libentissime susceperunt Josué 22.31 dixitque Finees filius Eleazari sacerdos ad eos nunc scimus quod nobiscum sit Dominus quoniam alieni estis a praevaricatione hac et liberastis filios Israhel de manu Domini Josué 22.32 reversusque est cum principibus a filiis Ruben et Gad de terra Galaad finium Chanaan ad filios Israhel et rettulit eis Josué 22.33 placuitque sermo cunctis audientibus et laudaverunt Deum filii Israhel et nequaquam ultra dixerunt ut ascenderent contra eos atque pugnarent et delerent terram possessionis eorum Josué 22.34 vocaveruntque filii Ruben et filii Gad altare quod extruxerant Testimonium nostrum quod Dominus ipse sit Deus

Josué : Caput 22

The Return of the Transjordanian Tribes

Chapter 22 of the Book of Joshua immerses us in a poignant account of the return of the Transjordanian tribes. This passage illustrates how misunderstandings can threaten the unity of a people. The story recounts the construction of an altar by the eastern tribes and the resulting conflict, raising questions about communication and mutual understanding.

Main Themes

This chapter addresses crucial themes such as unity, communication, and zeal for purity of worship. It also highlights the importance of seeking clarification before passing judgment. Through this story, we discover that conflicts can be resolved peacefully when dialogue and understanding prevail.

Exploring Bible Passages

We invite you to explore five biblical passages that resonate with the reconciliatory themes of Joshua 22:

Deuteronomy 12:5-6

"But you shall seek him in the place which the Lord your God will choose out of all the tribes to write his name there and to make his dwelling place. There you shall go; they shall bring burnt offerings and sacrifices, tithes and sacred offerings." This commandment is relevant to the controversy over the altar in Joshua 22.

Leviticus 17:8-9

"Say to them again: 'Whoever is an Israelite or a foreigner residing among you and offers a burnt offering or sacrifice and does not bring it to the door of the tent of meeting to sacrifice it to the Lord, that person shall be cut off from among his people.'" This law is central to the other tribes' concerns regarding the altar built in Joshua 22.

Proverbs 3:3

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; tie them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart." This verse reflects the theme of faithfulness to God that is at the heart of Joshua 22.

1 Samuel 15:22

"But Samuel answered, 'Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying his word? Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission than the fat of rams.' This verse echoes the theme of obedience versus sacrifice that is at stake in the altar controversy in Joshua 22.

Ephesians 4:3

"Make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." This New Testament verse reflects the effort to maintain unity among the tribes, as we see in Joshua 22.

Through these reflections, we are called to cultivate unity and seek peace, drawing inspiration from the lessons of Scripture. May our spiritual journey be guided by love, understanding, and a desire for authentic communion with God and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.