There’s a story in the Old Testament that features one of the concepts we teach. Now, don’t get me wrong… the Bible isn’t affirming something modern psychology invented. Instead, we learn about human nature from Scripture, and social scientists eventually gave it a name.
One way we reduce misunderstandings in communication is by being aware of and trying to overcome ‘motive misattribution,’ which is assigning the wrong motive to someone’s actions (and usually assuming negative intent). And that’s exactly what happens in Joshua 22.
After the conquest of the promised land, Joshua sends some of the twelve tribes home across the Jordan River. They loved that land and asked if it could be their inheritance. Joshua (and the Lord) said yes. But once they get home, the Eastern tribes build a large altar by the Jordan (22:10). The Western tribes hear about it (22:11), and they are not happy. To them, it sounds like the golden calf all over again (Exodus 32). Or Peor (Numbers 25). So the western tribes gather at Shiloh (22:12). They prepare for war (22:12).
Before attacking, they send a delegation to confront the Eastern tribes and urge them to repent (22:13-18). And then the Eastern tribes explain: the altar isn’t for sacrifice! It’s a memorial… It’s a witness that they were part of conquering the land and not outsiders (22:21-29). The delegation is satisfied (22:30-31) and war is avoided (22:33-34).
This was nearly a civil war… caused by an assumption.
I can’t help but imagine how it unfolded on the journey home. Maybe someone said, “What if, in forty years, when we’re gone, their kids tell our kids, ‘You can’t celebrate Passover with us because you’re from over there!’ That would be terrible! We should figure out a way to prevent that.”
And then someone else said, “I have an idea! Let’s build a replica of the altar… not for sacrifice, just as a model… so future generations know we’re one people and totally unified.”
Everyone agreed. They high-fived. It sounded wise and unifying.
And yet, it did not land that way at all.
We see this happen all the time, don’t we? An email gets misread. Someone unveils their plan, and people react strongly. A joke that lands wrong and creates tension.
Motive misattribution is interpreting behavior through assumed intent rather than a verified explanation.
One reason I enjoy this story so much is that the two groups work everything out without either side being evil. They don’t tear down the altar. No one dies. The misunderstanding cleared up when they communicated.
So… why does motive misattribution happen, and how did it happen here? I see three causes.
- Past experiences tend to shape our reactions. This generation had seen what happened when Israel disregarded the Lord’s commands after Jericho (Joshua 7). They knew the stories of the Golden Calf. They had buried previous, rebellious generations in the wilderness. Forty years of wandering, funerals, and discipline will make you vigilant. They were determined not to repeat history. Past failure fueled present suspicion.
- We tend to act on limited information. Before they had the full story, they were assembled for war. To their credit, they paused long enough to send a delegation. That move embodies Proverbs 18:17: “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and examines him.” They may have been quick to anger and quick to speak, but they were also willing to listen. That shift made all the difference.
- We tend to attribute someone’s actions to their character rather than to situational factors. This is what we call the fundamental attribution error. In 1 Samuel 16:7, we’re reminded that humans judge by outward appearance, but the Lord sees the heart. The Western tribes saw an altar and thought, “This is Golden Calf, Part II,” instead of, “Maybe there’s an explanation for this extremely weird behavior.” Thankfully, they eventually follow the wisdom later expressed in John 7:24 by not judging based on appearance alone, but with righteous judgment.
Their assumptions escalated quickly, and conflict was just an inch away… but curiosity preserved unity.
The stakes may be different today, but you’ve probably seen how motive misattribution can turn a simple email into a fight. You’ve seen how a small incident can spiral into a major conflict, and even tear a family or a church apart.
If we heed James and ask questions before we get angry and listen before we interpret, it’s possible we might spare ourselves some pain and conflict. We might avoid going to war with people we love.
Joshua 22 shows us something hopeful: assumption escalates, but conversation clarifies. And sometimes the people we’re ready to fight are simply trying to belong.
Keith Myer is the Matthew 5:9 Outreach Manager.
He has been a pastor serving in the Southern Baptist Convention for over twenty years, most recently at Harvest Baptist Church in Salisbury, Maryland. He serves as a trustee of Gateway Seminary in California, as the Associational Missionary for the Eastern Baptist Association, and as the Chair of the BCM/D Sexual Abuse Reform Task Force. The BCM/D Task Force’s work has been incorporated into the SBC’s national response, specifically the 5 Essentials of Train, Screen, Protect, Report, & Care, and the Pathways implementation curriculum.
Jesus’ ministry of peacemaking thrives on trust, transparency, and strong relationships, and so Keith has worked hard to listen and build coalitions that can produce positive change. He enjoys reading and spending time with Nancy, his boys, and their two dogs. He knows with certainty that Coke is better than Pepsi, Dunkin is superior to Starbucks, and The Empire Strikes Back is the best Star Wars movie and the best sci-fi movie ever made.
Keith has an M.Div from Columbia International University and an M.B.A. in Leadership from Liberty University.
