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Joshua 22:13–20
“What treachery is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that you have built for yourselves an altar, that you might rebel this day against the LORD?” (Josh. 22:16b).
The western tribes are so convinced of the easterners’ sin in building a huge altar that they gather to go to war against them. But before they unsheathe their swords, a wise caution manifests itself. Perhaps they realize that the eastern tribes may have a legitimate reason for building the altar. Perhaps they question how their fellow Israelites could depart so abruptly from faithfulness to God. Perhaps they recall God’s injunction to “ ‘inquire, search out, and ask diligently’ ” in instances of apparent idolatry (Deut. 13:14). In any case, they decide to send a delegation to make their concerns known and to inquire as to the reasons for the altar.
These ambassadors—Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, and 10 tribal leaders—come to the eastern tribes and, as it were, present their credentials: “ ‘Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD.’ ” They want it known that they are speaking for all the western tribes. Then they lay out their perspective: The construction of the altar is variously called “ ‘treachery,’ ” turning away from following God, and rebelling against God. The ambassadors’ expressed fear is that, by doing this, the easterners will provoke God to “ ‘be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.’ ” There are ample precedents for this in Israel’s history, and the envoys cite two. First, there is the incident at Peor, when Israel joined in pagan sacrifices to Baal. In response, God sent a plague that killed 24,000 people before it was stopped in response to the actions of the same Phinehas who now leads this delegation (Num. 25:1–9). Second, There is the crime of Achan, who kept some of the plunder of Jericho and so caused the death of 36 Israelite soldiers at Ai and, eventually, the deaths of himself and all his family (Josh. 7). To their credit, the Israelites have learned from these tragedies and are striving to avoid provoking the wrath of God.
The western tribes are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to keep their eastern kindred from sinning and prevent a retributive war. “If you believe your land is unclean without an altar,” they say, in essence, “then come live with us in Canaan.” Without doubt this would be a hardship; it probably would require a redistribution of the land. Yet, for the western tribes, it would be preferable to a large contingent of their nation falling into sin and so bringing judgment on all.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Not only were the western tribes willing to confront their fellow tribes over apparent sin, they were willing to endure hardship to keep them from it. Would you give of your time to counsel a brother, open your home to a struggling sister, or take other actions that might impose on you in some way? Ponder the Biblical demands of love.
For further study
- Luke 10:25–37
- Philippians 2:3–4
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10
- 1 Peter 4:8–10