Scripture: Therefore we said, ‘Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the LORD in his presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings, so your children will not say to our children in time to come, “You have no portion in the LORD.”‘
When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads of the families of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke, it was good in their eyes. And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”
Then Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the chiefs, returned from the people of Reuben and the people of Gad in the land of Gilead to the land of Canaan, to the people of Israel, and brought back word to them. And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where the people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled. The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.”
Joshua 22:26-27, 30-34 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Joshua continues with a summary report of the locations and names of the cities of refuge (chapter 20) and the towns and pasturelands allocated to the Levites (chapter 21). He then reminds his audience that the Lord granted Israel their victories and now a shalom rest from enemy threat. Why? Because he fulfilled all the “good promises” he struck with Israel’s patriarchs and all the tribes of Israel.
For today’s reading, now that the nine-and-one-half tribes have settled in the land west of the Jordan River, Joshua chronicles the return of the fighting men of the two-and-one-half tribes east of the Jordan River (vv.1-9). Once reunited with families, the leaders of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh erect an altar of imposing size (v.10). When the other tribes hear the news, they organize a militia and converge at Shiloh with the intent to wage war against their heretical brothers (vv.11-12).
Thankfully, prudence overcomes anger, so the leaders send Phinehas, the son of Eleazer, and ten chiefs representing each of the westerly tribes to inquire about their easterly brothers’ intent. Supposing their breach of faith against God, Phinehas and the ten admonish their brothers for putting all of Israel at risk of invoking the wrath of Yahweh, citing examples of the loss of many lives at Peor (Numbers 25:6-18) and with Achan’s rebellion (Joshua 6-7). The eastern tribal leaders wisely praise the Lord and call on his name (as a testimony to their intent) and explain they erected a copy of the tabernacle altar to stand as a witness to all of Israel that their heirs are as much a part of God’s chosen people. And they assure their compatriots that they will not offer sacrifices to the Lord on this memorial (vv.21-31).
Phew, civil war averted! Phinehas and the chiefs return to their westerly tribes and explain that the altar is solely a memorial. Joshua adds that the eastern tribal leaders named the altar Witness, “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the LORD is God” (22:34b ESV).
Takeaway: In addition to precedence (Peor), offering sacrifices other than at the tent of meeting is a capital offense (see Leviticus 17:8-9). Thus, understandably, the westerly tribal leaders are concerned when they hear the news of their cousins erecting a replica of the original altar at Shiloh. However, they erred in supposing intent without asking questions. And they would have compounded their egregious error in judgment if they had acted with retribution, assuming they were administering justice according to God’s law.
This form of righteous indignation proved disastrous for Israel when, twelve hundred years later, the Pharisees and Sadducees took offense against the works of the Son of God that appeared to violate Levitical laws regarding the Sabbath rest. Fueled by jealousy, they hastily sought Christ’s crucifixion to rid Israel of a supposed rogue leader who could potentially incite Rome’s wrath (see John 11:50). Instead, they incurred the Father’s wrath, meted out in 70 CE when Rome razed Jerusalem to rubble.
Our takeaway? You’ve probably figured this one out already. To maintain healthy, thriving relationships with others, we must ask questions before making assumptions and taking action. As a parent, in the heat of the moment, I have failed to follow this advice on several occasions, resulting in a mini-civil war—lol!
Our part? Grace abounds for those who humbly seek forgiveness and reconciliation when we get it wrong. Still, life will be notably less stressful if we ask questions before we assume.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who offered his life to remove the strife. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who guides us in all wisdom to avert unnecessary conflicts. So, please help us tap into your Son’s grace and tune into your Holy Spirit’s guidance so we might ask questions before making assumptions. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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