Building an Altar. Joshua 22

 

Joshua 22 – Building an Altar

 

Just before the Reubenites and the Gadites leave, Joshua calls them together and commends them for a job well done. Then he gives them a warning that even though they chose to live on the wrong side of the Jordan, they are still to follow the law of Moses. The Reubenites and Gadites then leave with a blessing from Joshua. Once they returned home, they built a monument to remind them of something. When the children of Israel heard what they had done, they got upset and gathered at Shiloh. They began to talk about war against their own brethren. The children of Israel believe the two and one-half tribes were building and altar to offer sacrifices.  They thought it was an attempt to divide the nation.

However, they did not build an altar for the purpose of offering sacrifices. The altar was simply a reminder that they still belonged to the nation Israel. The two and one-half tribes were sincere in what they had done, and the nine and one-half tribes accepted their explanation.

Some of us are a little hasty. We say and do things we should not say and do and are sincere in thinking we are defending the word of God when in reality we are not. In John 17:20-21 Jesus prayed, “neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they may all be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou have sent me.”

Not gathering facts before making conclusions, can lead to spreading of  lies. We must always research the truth before making false accusations.

Our Lord said, “You shall know them by their fruits.”  Matt. 7:16.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.