The allotment of the land had been completed and every tribe was given their fair portion in accordance to how God deemed appropriate. It was time for the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh to return back to their own land on the other side of Jordan river. Before Joshua led Israel into the promised land, the two and half tribes had asked Moses for an inheritance in Gilead on the eastern side of river Jordan. The people had large number of livestock and those locations were ideal for their livestock. Moses was reluctant at first, because it would be unfair to the rest of Israel who would still be warring for the land on the western bank of Jordan while these two and half tribes settle down peacefully. In the end, the two and half tribes agreed to fight shoulder to shoulder with their fellowmen in Canaan and return only after the war was over. Moses agreed to the arrangement (Numbers 32). Now that the war was finally over and they had honoured their promise to God and their fellowmen, they returned back to the land allotted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. They were finally going home! (6)

However something horrifying (to the nine and half tribes) happened. The two and half tribes built an altar to God next to the Jordan river and the text highlighted that it was a HUGE altar which they could see from the other side of the river. The rest of the tribes were deeply concerned when they saw it. You must understand the shock, because contextually, the laws of Moses was clear that they were not allowed to set up any sacrificial altars apart from the one in the tabernacle. All altars, pillars and idols had to be destroyed and all worship can only be done in accordance to the laws that God had given to them (Deuteronomy 12:1-14)

The leaders from the nine and half tribes were concerned and worried with the acts from the two and half tribes. They had seen for themselves in the incident of Achan (Joshua 7:10-26) what might happened to the entire nation if one of them were to disobey Yahweh. Therefore, they sent Phinehas, the priest and the ten chiefs to meet the two and half tribes to seek understanding of their actions. They were ready to engage their own people in a holy war if it was necessary. (12). The Israelites believed that if they let this altar remain, God will judge the whole nation (20).

Upon clarification, the two and half tribes were surprised and explained that it was not an altar for sacrifices, but as a sign to proof to the future generations that the two and half tribes on the western bank were part of the nation of Israel (26-27). With the Jordan river as a boundary between them, they feared that future Israelites in the promised land would cut them off from God's tabernacle (25). They built the altar as a reminder that the two-and-a-half tribes across the Jordan are still part of God's people, and still live in God's land (Joshua 22:28). Phinehas and the ten chiefs brought the report back to the western bank and the people were pleased and relieved to hear the good news. They called the altar “Witness” for it was a witness between all the people of Israel and Yahweh.

Dear brothers and sisters, misunderstandings are part and parcel of social interaction, and even he closest comrades can have the most major miscommunications. What can we learn from the way the Israelites handled the situation. Firstly, they responded with concerns for God’s holiness as their priority. Sometimes, even though the decision can be the most ungodly decision, but we keep quiet and choose to sweep it under the carpet for fear of offending men. Secondly, the Israelites confronted the matter boldly. This however was done with much love and humility, and the desire was not to put the other person down, but for reconciliation. The leaders explained their concerns and then took the same amount of effort to listen and understand what had happened. The desire to seek understanding and communication saved them of a potential bloodshed that could happened.

Leviticus 19:17-18 says:

You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Prayer: Dear God, would you help me to love my neighbour as myself and give me avenue to seek reconciliation with those who have wronged me. It is difficult to do it on my own strength, but Lord, would you give me strength to love as you would love. In Jesus name, amen.