An Altar by The Jordan River
December 24, 2020
Commentary
Leaving Shiloh, the armies of the eastern tribes headed excitedly for home. On the way a bright idea occurred to them. Why not construct a large monument or altar by the Jordan River, on its western side, to symbolize the unity between the people on both sides of the river. So, an altar was erected. When the western tribes heard of this altar, they assumed this was an altar for offerings and sacrifices and concluded that it had been set up as a second altar, contrary to the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 17:8-9). The true Hebrew center of worship for all the tribes was at Shiloh.
The western tribes gathered at Shiloh and threatened to go to war with the eastern tribes, because they knew God would punish all Israel for rebellion, even on the part of a few. Fortunately, some of the wiser leaders persuaded the others not to go to war until they had gotten some explanation from the departing tribes as to their strange conduct. The noblest men available, Phinehas, son of the high priest, and a prince from each tribe were selected to go and talk to the leaders of the eastern tribes. They went with strong words of warning and at the same time a generous offering. If these eastern tribes wanted to be nearer the central place of worship, they would share their land with them.
Application
I need to be careful in yielding to suspicion without proof. Assuming the worst about the intentions of others only brings trouble. It is wrong for me to judge people’s motives simply based on circumstantial evidence.
Joshua 22:10– 20 (NET)
10 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan and built there, near the Jordan, an impressive altar. 11 The Israelites received this report: “Look, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar at the entrance to the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side.” 12 When the Israelites heard this, the entire Israelite community assembled at Shiloh to launch an attack against them.
13 The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 14 He was accompanied by ten leaders, one from each of the Israelite tribes, each one a family leader among the Israelite clans. 15 They went to the land of Gilead to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and said to them: 16 “The entire community of the Lord says, ‘Why have you disobeyed the God of Israel by turning back today from following the Lord? You built an altar for yourselves and have rebelled today against the Lord. 17 The sin we committed at Peor was bad enough. To this very day we have not purified ourselves; it even brought a plague on the community of the Lord. 18 Now today you dare to turn back from following the Lord! You are rebelling today against the Lord; tomorrow he may break out in anger against the entire community of Israel. 19 But if your own land is impure, cross over to the Lord’s own land, where the Lord himself lives, and settle down among us. But don’t rebel against the Lord or us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the Lord our God. 20 When Achan son of Zerah disobeyed the command about the city’s riches, the entire Israelite community was judged, though only one man had sinned. He most certainly died for his sin!’”