READ: Josh. 22:10-34: … Reuben and … Gad called the altar, Witness: for it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half the tribe of Manasseh, were assigned their inheritance in the land east of the Jordan before crossing the Jordan River. At their request, Moses agreed to this arrangement (Num. 32). Moses initially had concerns that they might shirk further battles yet to be fought.
However, the warriors of these tribes willingly agreed to the condition that they must first cross the Jordan and help their fellow Israelites conquer the land from the inhabitants of Canaan. They could only return to their families after this battle was completed. This arrangement demonstrated the unity of God’s people, the communion of saints.
In the meantime, all the land had been conquered and divided among the tribes, and everyone is now able to settle. The men from the eastern tribes now return to their dwellings.
However, a message arrives that causes great disturbance (v.11 and following). Just before they crossed, the trans-Jordanic brothers built a large altar on the western side of the Jordan. This altar is far from the tabernacle. The accusation is that they are trying to hold their own religious services in an unauthorized manner.
This is seen as a major violation of God’s covenant and of ecclesiastical unity. High Priest Phinehas, who also took action in Baal-Peor where the people committed harlotry, goes with an armed force. When God’s command (Lev. 17:8-9) is violated, and there is unfaithfulness to God (vv.16 and 18), discipline is indeed needed.
Fortunately, the situation is very different. The altar was not erected for offering sacrifices but as a monument, a reminder of their connection to the other tribes, and their desire to worship and sacrifice together to God in His one house. They wanted to remember the unity with all the tribes. What seemed like a sign of disobedience and schism in the church turned out to be a testimony of genuine unity, to the joy of Phinehas and the other tribes (v.33).
How important is ecclesiastical unity?
Singing: Ps. 122:2