In the context of Joshua 22 we learn to guard against assumptions and pursue truth.

Joshua 21:43–45 (ESV) - Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. 45Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

Exodus 23:29 (ESV) - I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you.

Deuteronomy 7:22 (ESV) - The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may not make an end of them at once, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you.

Joshua 22:1–6 (ESV) - At that time Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 2and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you. 3You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God. 4And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents in the land where your possession lies, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” 6So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.

Joshua 22:10-12 (ESV) - 10And when they came to the region of the Jordan that is in the land of Canaan, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, an altar of imposing size. 11And the people of Israel heard it said, “Behold, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built the altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel.” 12And when the people of Israel heard of it, the whole assembly of the people of Israel gathered at Shiloh to make war against them.

Joshua 22:16 (ESV) - “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?

Joshua 22:30–31 (ESV) - 30When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads of the families of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke, it was good in their eyes. 31And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the Lord is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the Lord. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the Lord.” 33And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where the people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled. 34The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.”

Understanding Assumptions
Assumption = a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof (Oxford Languages Dictionary).

Understanding Assumptions:

1. Assumptions are natural.

2. Assumptions stem from past experience.

3. Assumptions are overwhelmingly negative.

Guard Assumptions
1. Pursue truth whenever possible.

Proverbs 18:13 (ESV) - If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Proverbs 18:17 (ESV) - The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

Guard Assumptions
2. Give the benefit of the doubt until facts are known.

Leviticus 19:17–18 (ESV) - “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Guard Assumptions
3. We can’t know motives without conversation.

Determine action needed only after truth is known.

John 7:24 (ESV) - Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Galatians 6:1 (ESV) - Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

The OIC Method
Observation – “This is what I see”

Interpretation – “This is what I think it means”

Clarification – “Can you please clarify for me if I’m wrong?”

Oh, I see!

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever made an assumption about someone and realized later the assumption was wrong? Describe as much of the situation as you are comfortable.

2. Were the western tribes right to inquire about the altar and stand ready to start a civil war? Why or why not?

3. Read Joshua 22:19. What were the western tribes offering to give up in order to keep unity and help the eastern tribes follow God? What does this tell you about their priorities?

4. The altar, “Witness”, is the 6th monument in Joshua. What was the reason the eastern tribes gave for needing this monument? Why do you think the monuments, in general, were important?

5. Read Colossians 3:12-14. How does this passage support the need to guard assumptions and pursue truth?