Altar of the Eastern tribes

Joshua Chapter 22

Joshua called the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh and told them they had done everything Moses, servant of God, had commanded of them. He sent them home with a caution to continue to obey the commands and love the Lord, and walk in his ways. He blessed them all and told them to share their wealth and livestock with their relatives back home. So the three tribes stared back to their own land of Gilead.

Along the way, they crossed the Jordan River and built a very large altar near the Jordan at a place called Geliloth. When the rest of Israel heard of this altar west of the River in Canaan, the whole assembly gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against the three eastern tribes who built the altar. First, however they send a delegation led by Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the priest. In the delegation were 10 high officials, one from each tribe of Israel.

When they reached Gilead, they demanded to know why the three tribes built the altar in rebellion against God? We are hardly cleansed from our sin at Peor, and yet you are turning away from the Lord, they said. If you rebel against the Lord, he will be angry with all of us, the delegation said. Do not rebel by building another altar for yourselves, there is only one true altar, they insisted.

Then the people of the three eastern tribes answered that they did not built the altar in rebellion against the Lord. They built it, they said, because they feared that in the future the descendants of the tribes on the other side of the river Jordan may one day question their right to worship the Lord, God of Israel. So they simply built the altar for burnt sacrifices and peace offerings. If in the future, they said, your descendants question our altar, they can see it is a copy of the Lord's altar that our ancestors made.

When Phinehas and the high officials heard the explanation from the three tribes, they were satisfied and knew there had been no sin against the Lord. So they left Gilead and returned to Canaan to tell the Israelites what happened. The Isralites spoke no more of war against Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh. The altar was named "Witness" by Reuben and Gad, because it stood as a witness between them that the Lord was their God too.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Before beginning an all-out war, Phinehas was willing to negotiate and went to the three tribes to learn the truth. When he learned the altar was a memorial and not for pagan sacrifice, war was averted.
The eastren tribes were concerned that without some visible sign of unity between the people on both sides of the Jordan, future generations might see a conflict.

How does this Chapter relate to us today? Jumping to conclusions is an almost daily error for many of us. In the case of the eastern tribes, it almost caused a war. Assuming the worst of others only brings trouble. Beware of reacting before you hear the whole story.
The eastern tribes were thinking ahead of how future generations would view the separation of Israel by the Jordan. They were right to pattern their altar after the altar of the Lord. Often we need to be reminded of the faith of our fathers. Take the time to establish family traditions that will help your family remember our reliance on God and remind them of what he has done.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: She has gained four ounces, but there is still concern for her lungs.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.