A Pleasing Outcome

The relief of the delegation from the west is palpable in this passage. Phineas the priest and the 10 rulers of the tribes settled in Canaan came with a hard message for the tribes east of the Jordan River: “Turn back from your apparent sin in the construction of this altar or face war, for we cannot allow this transgression to stand lest God judge us all.” But the answer of the eastern tribes has left no doubt that they acted not out of rebellion against God but from zeal for His worship. The author of the book of Joshua tells us that the easterners’ answer and their evident sincerity leave Phineas and the others from the west “pleased.” This, however, is surely an understatement: The delegates must be utterly relieved that the eastern tribes are not apostate and filled with joy that war will be unnecessary.

Phineas makes a curious statement in response to the explanation of the eastern tribes: “ ‘This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD.’ ” He thus gives God the credit and the glory for the fact that the eastern tribes have not sinned. The implication is that without God in their midst, the eastern tribes surely would have fallen into sins even more horrendous than that which the westerners suspected. He goes on to say that “ ‘you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.’ ” In other words, as Matthew Henry explains, the easterners have not exposed the nation to God’s wrath as the western tribes feared. God is not displeased with Israel after all.

Phineas and his fellow delegates then return to the massed tribes of Israel and report their findings. The Israelites also are “pleased”; they thank and praise God that the eastern tribes have not, in fact, rebelled, and they immediately cease all preparations for war.

As for the altar that was at the root of the misunderstanding, the western tribes say no more about it and it is left standing. But perhaps at the suggestion of the westerners, it is given a name, one that bespeaks its purpose: Witness. This name will serve as a reminder that the altar is not for worship and that the eastern tribes are included in God’s covenant. Like their western brethren, the easterners confess that “ ‘the LORD is God.’ ” This belief and confession binds all Israel as one people serving one God.