Joshua 22:9-34: Build an Altar for the Generations
Joshua 22:9-34: Build an Altar for the Generations
"34 And the Reubenites and the Gadites called the altar Ed, for it is a witness between us that the LORD is God."
♢ The atmosphere was tense between Joshua and the Israelites.
The half-tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had already been allotted land on the east side of the Jordan River. However, they participated in the war together with the other tribes until they occupied the east side of the Jordan. They fought together to fulfill that promise because they had jointly received the land of Canaan together according to the Lord's promise. Because they are a nation that serves the Lord God together.
However, tension is brewing between the east and west sides.
The tribes returning to the east side of the Jordan had built a stone altar on the opposite side of the western region as they crossed the river. They gathered large stones in a location that was very visible from the east and built a magnificent altar (10). When the tribes on the east side heard this news, they gathered soldiers and tried to go to war, but first formed a fact-finding mission to confirm the facts (14).
They learned that the tribes that were going to the east built the altar because they feared that the descendants of the west would later deny that their descendants in the east and that they would not be able to worship the Lord God (24-25). The tribes on the east clearly stated that this altar was not built to worship other gods, but was built as evidence to inform future generations that they, too, are a nation of promise of the same Lord God as the tribes of the west (28).
If the tribes on the west had not sent a fact-finding mission and started a war by raising soldiers, they would have shed tremendous blood among their own people due to misunderstandings. Now that God's promise had just been fulfilled, what would the Gentiles think of the sight of them starting a war and shedding blood against each other? Will we be able to show the glory of the Lord?
Once again, I think about the need for an attitude of listening before anger and action.
It would be good if we also had the concerns of the people on the east side. How much concern and worry do you have that your descendants will live a life apart from God? Do you think it is best if you have a good job, a high position, and a peaceful life?
♧ Faithful and righteous God, teach us the wise attitude of listening of the tribes in the western region. May we also have the worry and concern of the tribes on the east side for their descendants. May we be parents who pave the way so that our descendants can live as God's people. Holy Spirit, strengthen me with courage. Amen.