Courage to Stand Against Critics
Notes
Transcript
13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
14 And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
15 And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the Lord, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the Lord, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord?
17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the Lord,
18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the Lord? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the Lord, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
19 Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord’s tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the Lord, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the Lord our God.
20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
22 The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, (save us not this day,)
23 That we have built us an altar to turn from following the Lord, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the Lord himself require it;
24 And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel?
25 For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the Lord: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lord.
26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the Lord before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the Lord.
28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
29 God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn this day from following the Lord, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle.
30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the Lord is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the Lord: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord.
32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
33 And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God.
Sermon Title: Courage to Stand Criticism
Scripture: Joshua 22:13–34
Series: Courageous Faith
Speaker: Rev. Adrian S. Taylor
Setting: Springhill Church – 120 SE Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32641
Season: Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Theological Tradition: Conservative Baptist
Sermon Abstract
Joshua 22:13–34 recounts a moment of intense misunderstanding and potential conflict among the tribes of Israel. The eastern tribes are harshly criticized for what appears to be spiritual rebellion, yet they respond with humility, clarity, and courage, defusing the conflict and restoring unity. This message challenges believers to stand firm amid unfair criticism, to defend their commitment to God with truth, and to pursue peace without compromising their convictions.
Sermon Introduction
In the early 16th Century, Martin Luther’s convictions on the supremacy of God, Christ, and the Scriptures confronted the corruption he saw in the Roman Catholic church. Nailing his 95 theses to the church doors in Wittenberg, a firestorm of criticism ensued. Former colleagues denied their connection to him, while religious leaders disavowed him.
Luther was called to stand before a council of influential religious and political leaders. He had been summoned to explain, and ultimately to recant, his convictions about the authority of Scripture and the need for reform within the church. With pressure mounting and his life on the line, Luther could have folded. He could have tried to appease the crowd. But instead, with his faith anchored in the truth of God's Word, he said, “Unless Scripture and plain reason convince me, I cannot and will not recant. My conscience is held captive to the Word of God. Here I stand. I can do no other. So help me God.”
Luther’s response was not driven by arrogance. It was anchored in assurance. He did not lash out in anger. He stood in truth with a quiet boldness that comes only from walking with God. He was criticized, condemned, and cast aside by many, but he stood anyway. Not because he wanted to be seen as brave, but because he had more fear of disobeying God than of disappointing people. And beloved, that is what I call courageous faith.
Criticism will come. It does not matter how sincere your motives are or how carefully you try to obey God. At some point, somebody will question your intentions, misunderstand your actions, or even spread false assumptions about your character. The question is not whether you will be criticized. The question is whether you will have the courage to stand with a clear conscience when the time comes.
That is the same situation we find in Joshua chapter 22. The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had just finished years of faithful service. They had fought alongside their brothers to conquer the promised land. And now, as they returned home to the other side of the Jordan River, they built an altar, not as a place of rebellion, but as a reminder. Yet their brothers misunderstood. They thought it was idolatry.
Accusations started flying. Emotions were stirred. And war almost broke out among the people of God. But what we learn in this passage is that these faithful tribes had the courage to stand. They responded with humility. They explained with clarity. And they preserved the unity of the nation with wisdom and grace.
This morning, I want to preach from the subject, “Courage to Stand Criticism.” Because someone under the sound of my voice knows what it feels like to be misjudged. You know what it feels like to be talked about, even when your heart is right. You know what it feels like to try to honor God, and still be misunderstood. But the good news is this. If your conscience is clean, if your motive is pure, if your walk is righteous, you can stand tall in the face of criticism and trust that God will fight for you.
Joshua 22:13–34 records a similar moment. The eastern tribes of Israel were accused of rebellion for building an altar. Misunderstood, misrepresented, and maligned, they could have chosen to fight. Instead, they chose to stand. They clarified their motives, defended their integrity, and restored peace. This passage shows us how to handle criticism, not with a spirit of combat, but with courageous faith. This morning’s message is titled “Courage to Stand Criticism.” Let’s walk together through the Word and see how God honors those who stand even when they are misunderstood.
I. Courage in the Face of Accusations (Joshua 22:13-20)
I. Courage in the Face of Accusations (Joshua 22:13-20)
Text: Joshua 22:13–20
It is one thing for correction to come when we are wrong. It is another thing entirely to face accusations when our intentions were righteous and our motives were pure. That is precisely what the eastern tribes of Israel experienced in Joshua 22. After years of loyal service to help conquer the land of Canaan, they returned to their inheritance and built an altar, not as a place of pagan worship, but as a witness of their covenant connection with the rest of Israel. However, rather than seek clarity, the Western tribes assumed the worst. They prepared to go to war against their own brothers.
This moment in Israel’s history reminds us that courage is not only required for battlefields; it is necessary when we are misjudged by people who should know us best. We need courage not only to fight enemies outside, but also to stand in humility when faced with unfair criticism from within our faith community.
Let us take a closer look at the accusations and draw wisdom from how the people of God are to respond when we are misunderstood, misrepresented, and mistreated.
A. The people were Accused of Rebelling Against God (Joshua 22:13-16)
A. The people were Accused of Rebelling Against God (Joshua 22:13-16)
Text: Joshua 22:13–16
13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
14 And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
15 And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the Lord, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the Lord, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord?
A delegation is formed to confront the Eastern tribes. Phinehas, the priest, leads this group with the elders of Israel. But they do not come asking questions. They come delivering indictments. In verse 16, they declare, “What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the Lord, in that ye have builded you an altar…?” There is no presumption of innocence. There is no attempt to understand their actions. The judgment has already been made.
This was not a conversation seeking clarity. It was an interrogation assuming guilt. And that is what makes these verses so weighty. The eastern tribes are not only accused of disloyalty, but they are also charged with apostasy. To build another altar apart from the one God designated was to defy divine instruction. But what their brothers failed to do was ask why the altar had been built. Before jumping to condemnation, they should have pursued a conversation.
Accusations without inquiry are a form of injustice that masquerades as spiritual discernment. When we move faster toward condemnation than toward clarification, we run the risk of wounding those who have walked faithfully beside us. Our Lord calls us to be careful and compassionate, even when we think we are right.
Illustration:
Years ago, a faithful deacon in a small-town church was spotted entering a restaurant attached to a lounge. Some members observed him leaving late in the evening and began whispering about his integrity. Rumors spread, and doubt crept into the congregation. What they did not know was that the deacon had gone to meet a young man who was battling addiction. He had entered that space not for indulgence, but for intercession. What some perceived as rebellion was actually redemption in motion. The lesson is clear: when we act on partial knowledge, we can do permanent damage.
Think of how many times you have been falsely accused by those who were convinced of your guilt.
Cross-Reference Scriptures (KJV):
– “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”Proverbs 18:13
– “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”James 1:19
– “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”Matthew 7:1
– “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness…”Galatians 6:1
– “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth…”Romans 14:4
B. They Were Accused of Repeating Past Sins (Joshua 22:17-20)
B. They Were Accused of Repeating Past Sins (Joshua 22:17-20)
Text: Joshua 22:17–20
The delegation continues its charge by drawing from Israel’s painful history. They mention the iniquity at Peor and the rebellion of Achan: moments when idolatry and disobedience had invited the wrath of God. The memory of those incidents remained fresh in the national conscience. They had seen what happened when even one tribe disobeyed, and they were determined not to let history repeat itself.
Their concern, from one perspective, was justified. Israel had a history of drifting from holiness. But their mistake was allowing historical memory to cloud present discernment. Instead of considering that their brothers might be acting in faith, they assumed they were falling into sin.
There is value in remembering our spiritual history, but we must never weaponize the past to destroy the faithful in the present. Discernment is not suspicion. It is the Spirit-led process of seeking truth with humility, prayer, and love. Before we pronounce guilt, we must pursue grace. We should always take time for a private conversation before making public criticism.
C.S. Lewis, the brilliant Christian author, once endured public criticism for his friendship with Joy Davidman, a woman who would later become his wife. Some questioned his behavior and doubted his witness. But over time, the integrity of their relationship became clear. Lewis stood firm, knowing that his conscience was clear before God. He later wrote, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” And sometimes integrity means remaining faithful when many are watching but few are understanding.
Cross-Reference Scriptures (KJV):
– “And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.”Numbers 25:3
– “Be sure your sin will find you out.”Numbers 32:23
– “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing…”Joshua 7:1
– “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”1 Timothy 5:19
– “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone…”Matthew 18:15
II. Answer the Accusations (Joshua 22:21-29)
II. Answer the Accusations (Joshua 22:21-29)
Text: Joshua 22:21–29
There is a time to be silent and let the Lord fight our battles. But there is also a time when we must speak the truth in love to protect the integrity of our witness and preserve the unity of the body. The eastern tribes had been accused, judged, and nearly condemned without a single question being asked. Now, in verses 21 through 29, they respond. And what we witness is not defensiveness, pride, or retaliation, but a deeply spiritual, thoughtful, and faithful explanation of their intentions. They answer the accusations not with emotion, but with conviction. Not with argument, but with testimony.
This is a lesson for all of us. There are times when the people of God must answer false claims, not for the sake of ego, but for the sake of peace and truth. When our motives are questioned and our actions misrepresented, we do not have to cower or explode. We simply testify to the Lord we serve and the convictions we live by.
A. The People Confessed Faith in the Lord (Joshua 22:21-23)
A. The People Confessed Faith in the Lord (Joshua 22:21-23)
Text: Joshua 22:21–23
21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
22 The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, (save us not this day,)
23 That we have built us an altar to turn from following the Lord, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the Lord himself require it;
Immediately, in verse 22, the people begin with a declaration, “The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth…” This is not a casual statement. This is a confession. It is repeated twice to demonstrate the seriousness of their devotion and the sincerity of their faith. They appeal to the omniscience of God. They call upon Him as their witness. Their hearts are clean. Their hands are innocent. Their purpose was not rebellion but remembrance.
They do not dodge the confrontation. They do not deny the concern. Instead, they declare that if they had indeed sinned against the Lord, then He Himself should judge them. But if not, then let the truth be known. This is not the response of a guilty people. This is the voice of a faithful people misunderstood by their own family.
There is power in a clear conscience. When our hearts are fixed on the Lord, and our motives remain pure, we can speak the truth boldly without fear of man’s judgment. The eastern tribes teach us that a faithful witness does not shrink back in the face of suspicion. It stands strong, not in pride, but in peace.
Illustration:
A missionary once returned to his home church after years of serving in a remote village. Rumors had circulated that he had become theologically liberal and had stopped preaching the gospel. He stood before the church, not with anger, but with calm resolve. He opened his Bible and said, “My heart has not changed. My message remains Christ crucified. If anyone doubts my faith, ask the people who now know Jesus because of my labor.” That confession silenced the critics. Why? Because when our faith is genuine, our words and works will stand the test of scrutiny.
Cross-Reference Scriptures (KJV):
– “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising…”Psalm 139:1–2
– “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”Job 23:10
– “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience… that in simplicity and godly sincerity… we have had our conversation in the world.”2 Corinthians 1:12
– “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”1 Samuel 16:7
– “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight…”Hebrews 4:13
B. Convictions of Faith in the Lord (Joshua 22:24-29)
B. Convictions of Faith in the Lord (Joshua 22:24-29)
Text: Joshua 22:24–29
24 And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel?
25 For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the Lord: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lord.
26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the Lord before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the Lord.
28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
29 God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn this day from following the Lord, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle.
As their confession continues, the people offer their explanation. Their concern was generational. Their actions were not a protest but a precaution. They feared that in the years to come, their children would be viewed as outsiders because of the Jordan River’s physical separation from the Tabernacle and the central place of worship. So they built an altar; not to replace the one God had established, but to serve as a witness. This was to serve as a reminder, a testimony, and a symbol that they, too, belong to the covenant community of God.
Verse 27 says, “But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us…” This was about legacy. They were trying to guard the future by establishing a present marker of faith. Their conviction was rooted in spiritual concern. They did not want their descendants to forget who they were or whose they were.
This was not innovation in worship. This was an affirmation of unity. And sometimes, when we take steps to preserve faith in future generations, others may not always understand. But we must hold to our convictions, even when they are questioned.
Convictions are not driven by convenience. They are shaped by a deep concern for spiritual legacy. When we act in faith to preserve truth for the next generation, we are not rebelling—we are remembering. We are not deviating—we are dedicating. And as long as the Lord is our God, we must be willing to explain our convictions with clarity and humility, trusting that God will honor what is done for His glory.
Illustration:
A grandmother once stitched a quilt for her grandchildren. On each patch, she embroidered Scripture verses and family prayers. One day, her daughter asked her why she put so much effort into something the children might not appreciate. She said, “I am sewing what I may never see. But one day, when I am gone, these threads will remind them of the God I served and the truth we believed.” That quilt was more than fabric. It was a memorial. And so was the altar the tribes built—a sacred stitch in the fabric of Israel’s faith.
Cross-Reference Scriptures (KJV):
– “And these words… thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…”Deuteronomy 6:6–7
– “That the generation to come might know them… that they might set their hope in God…”Psalm 78:5–7
– “That this may be a sign among you… What mean ye by these stones?”Joshua 4:6–7
– “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee…”2 Timothy 1:5
– “Train up a child in the way he should go…”Proverbs 22:6
III. Agreement from the Accusers (Joshua 22:30-34)
III. Agreement from the Accusers (Joshua 22:30-34)
Text: Joshua 22:30–34
It is a beautiful moment when misunderstanding gives way to understanding. It is a powerful thing when tension gives way to peace. After the eastern tribes faithfully explained their actions, and their hearts were revealed to be sincere, the delegation from the western tribes responded—not with retaliation, but with reconciliation. The unity that had almost been shattered was now restored.
There are times when our courage to stand under criticism will not only preserve our integrity, but also bring about peace among the people of God. When we speak with truth, when we walk in integrity, and when we answer with humility, God has a way of softening even the hardest hearts. What started as a possible civil war ends in a shared worship moment. What began in suspicion ends in celebration. Let us look at how the accusers responded to the truth.
A. Appeased by the Report (Joshua 22:30-32)
A. Appeased by the Report (Joshua 22:30-32)
Text: Joshua 22:30–32
30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the Lord is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the Lord: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord.
32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
Phinehas and the princes listened. They did not interrupt. They did not double down on their original assumption. They allowed the explanation to be heard fully. And when they heard it, verse 30 says that it “pleased them.” They recognized the integrity behind the eastern tribes’ actions. Verse 31 tells us that Phinehas said, “This day we perceive that the Lord is among us…” They left not only relieved that there would be no war, but rejoicing that God had preserved unity through truth.
This moment reminds us that peace is possible when we put aside ignorance and open our hearts to insight. Many of the conflicts we face within the body of Christ are not rooted in doctrine, but in misunderstanding. And when we slow down long enough to listen with spiritual discernment, we will often discover that we are more united than we imagined.
When we are on the receiving end of an explanation, let us be willing to lay down our swords and pick up our ears. God is glorified when His people walk in peace. We should not hold tighter to our assumptions than we do to the truth. If we truly desire unity, then humility must be present on both sides of the conversation.
Illustration:
Two brothers had not spoken in years after a disagreement over their family inheritance. One day, the younger brother wrote a letter explaining his side of the story and mailed it with tears in his eyes. A few days later, the older brother called, weeping. He said, “I was wrong. I judged without knowing. And I’m glad you had the courage to tell me the truth.” That one letter saved a relationship. Sometimes, we just need to listen with humility and receive what is said with grace.
Cross-Reference Scriptures (KJV):
– “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”Proverbs 15:1
– “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”Romans 12:18
– “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”Ephesians 4:3
– “The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.”Proverbs 16:21
– “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle… easy to be intreated…”James 3:17
B. Praised God for the Report (Joshua 22:33-34)
B. Praised God for the Report (Joshua 22:33-34)
Text: Joshua 22:33–34
After truth had been revealed, and peace was restored, the people did not just celebrate one another—they gave glory to God. Verse 33 says, “And the children of Israel blessed God…” What started as a tribal standoff turned into a worship service. The altar, once misunderstood as a monument of rebellion, was now embraced as a memorial of faith. It was called Ed, which means witness. And it stood as a testimony for generations to come that the Lord is God.
When we live with integrity, and our motives are centered on pleasing God, He has a way of turning our critics into our companions and our pain into praise. Proverbs 16:7 reminds us, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
When we handle conflict with courage, when we answer criticism with truth, and when we operate in the spirit of unity, God is glorified. He is the one who keeps His people together. And when we bless His name after a storm has passed, we declare that our unity is not the work of man but the grace of God.
Illustration:
A pastor once shared how two leaders in his church had a falling out so bitter that it nearly split the congregation. After weeks of prayer, they sat down and listened to each other. The pastor said that after truth was shared and motives were made clear, the two men stood, embraced, and wept in front of the church. That Sunday, the service never made it past the opening hymn because the people began to worship God for the restoration that had taken place. When peace replaces conflict, praise is the proper response.
Closing Transition:
The altar called Ed stood as a witness. It said to every generation that followed, “We belong to the Lord.” It reminded the tribes of their shared faith and covenant. And may we too build our lives on that same foundation, standing firm when criticized, speaking truth when questioned, and giving God praise when peace is restored.
Cross-Reference Scriptures (KJV):
– “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”Psalm 133:1
– “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…”Genesis 50:20
– “And they, continuing daily with one accord… praising God…”Acts 2:46–47
– “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds…”Philippians 4:7
– “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”Psalm 34:1
