Joshua called the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe on Manasseh and thanked them for their help in fighting with their brothers on the western side. And now that the LORD had given them rest in the land he told them that they could return to their possession on the eastern side (v1-4). They had been with them around seven years and obeyed the LORD’s command now they could return to their families on the other side of the Jordan. Joshua gives them a word of encouragement (v5,6), “But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.”
There are several ‘blessings’ recorded in God’s word for us, we are not told precisely what he said except in the following verses, “Return with much riches to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with bronze, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.” Their faithfulness is rewarded with much spoil as they take their leave of their brothers, particularly the half tribe of Manasseh. (7-9)
When they arrived at the river Jordan, they erected an altar, they built a large, impressive altar (v10).
Sadly, this caused a problem for those on the western side. Note it says, they heard ‘someone’ say (v11). It is almost as if it was a rumour or gossip. On that basis, which was a misunderstanding of course, all the people gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them(v12). They thought that their brothers had made an altar to pagan gods, and they weren’t happy. Isn’t it amazing what will get the whole congregation together! We often struggle to get our whole church together but if something like this comes up, it seems to be easy. In one way it was good and showed their togetherness and zeal for God, but in another way, it was hasty and needed careful handling. Which happily was the case.
Before action is taken, however, (v13-15) Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and one ruler from each of the ten tribes, is sent to the two and one half tribes. This was a wise action to find the truth before coming to a conclusion and taking drastic action.
Phinehas brought the accusation (v16-18) and commences in a somewhat condemnatory fashion – “What treachery is that you have committed against God….” He accused them of rebellion and reminded them of what happened at Peor recorded for us in Numbers 25 where the men of Israel committed sexual sin with the women of Moab and the people sat down and ate and bowed down to their gods of Baal. Satan seduced them and God’s anger was aroused, and He commanded Moses to kill those who did this gross sin against God. He sent a plague and destroyed 24,000. It was significant that Phinehas was doing this as he had been instrumental in standing for God and staying the plague.
Phinehas warned them God would be angry if they turned away from following Him. He was certain that this was wrong, rightly so, if they were setting up ‘another’ altar. Phinehas knew that this would lead to God’s anger against the whole congregation. Whilst sin might be personal it affects all. He invited them to ‘come clean’ and not rebel against The LORD their God. He even asked them to show their repentance by staying on the western side of the Jordan and making the home there (v19). He gave them another example what sin does (v20) in that of Achan who took what he should not have done. God’s wrath fell on all the congregation.
The two and a half tribes then gave their response (v21-23) “The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, He knows, and let Israel itself know; if it is in rebellion, or if in treachery against the LORD, do not save us this day. If we have built ourselves an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer on it burnt offerings or grain offerings, or if to offer peace offerings on it, let the LORD Himself require an account.”
They told Phinehas and the other leaders that they had misunderstood and that their actions are open to God. They didn’t get angry but recognised that their brothers had misunderstood and appealed to God. Often when we are wrongly accused, we get angry and fight back, but the correct action is to accept and plead our case before God.
They went on to explain their reasons for the altar (v24-29). They said it was not for burnt offerings nor sacrifice but a witness for future generations and so that no-one could say in future generations that they had no part in the Promised Land. It had been done for fear of being excluded and as a memorial between the two parts of the nation, “….it is a witness between you and us. Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn from following the LORD this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle.”
When Phinehas and the leaders heard the explanation they were glad (v30,31) – “Then Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh, “This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.”
The outcome could have been very different but having heard both sides it was pleasing. The two and a half tribes called the altar ‘Witness’ for it is a witness between us that The LORD is God.
How important it is that we seek reconciliation before conflict, and we have a desire for God’s holiness.
