Unity or Division? The Altar of Witness and the Fragility of God’s People. Unity among God’s people is both precious and precarious. From the earliest days of Israel, division has threatened to undo what God has established. In Joshua 22, after the conquest and division of the land, a misunderstanding nearly sparked a civil war between the tribes. At the center of the conflict stood an altar—built not for rebellion, but as a witness.

Reuben: Jacob’s Firstborn Who Lost His Birthright. Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, was destined for greatness as the eldest of Israel’s sons. Yet his life is remembered not for strength but for failure. Though he sometimes showed good intentions, his instability cost him his inheritance and leadership among the tribes of Israel. Reuben’s story is both a warning and a reminder that birthright and privilege mean little without faithfulness.