Joshua 22:10-18 - Conflict Between the Tribes

Now in Joshua 22, we come to a very interesting incident and conflict that almost caused a war between the tribes before they hardly get settled into their inheritance because of the “great impressive altar” that the two and half tribes built on the border at the Jordan River.   The word traveled quickly that the tribes east of the Jordan had erected an altar. While these two and a half tribes had been very sincere in what they did, their action was misunderstood; and the other tribes prepared for possible war. But wisely, they waited while an official delegation investigated what was going on. "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him" (Prov. 18:13).   The delegation of ten princes, one from each tribe, was led by Phinehas, the son of the high priest, a man who had already proved himself courageous in defending the Law of the Lord (Num. 25; Ps. 106:30-31). It was the responsibility of the tribal leaders and the priests to investigate every situation in Israel that appeared to be a breach of the Law (Deut. 13). God had instructed the Jews to destroy the altars of the heathen nations in Canaan and not to build altars of their own. There was to be one altar of sacrifice at the one sanctuary that God had appointed (Deut. 12; Lev. 17:8-9).   In Joshua 22:15-20, it's likely that Phinehas made this speech, but note that his address represented the agreement of all the tribes. Phinehas called what they had done "an act of treachery”, which means Joshua had commended these two and a half tribes for their loyalty, and now it appeared that they had proved faithless. They had “turned away” (vv. 16, 18, 23, 29), which meant they were no longer following the Lord (see v. 5). This word carries the idea of "backsliding," gradually moving away from the Lord. The strongest word used was “rebel” (vv. 16, 18-19, 22, 29), which means deliberately resisting God's will and disobeying His Law. In building an unauthorized altar, these two and a half tribes were guilty of apostasy. "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Sam. 15:23).   From the nation's recent history Phinehas cited two serious cases of rebellion as warning to these tribes. The first was the participation of Israel in the heathen rites of the Moabites, when the men committed harlotry with the Moabite women (Josh. 22:17; Num. 25). As a result, 24,000 people died. The second was the sin of Achan after the victory at Jericho, when he deliberately took the spoils that belonged to the Lord (Josh. 22:20; see Josh. 7). His sin led to defeat at Ai and the deaths of thirty-six Jewish soldiers. It also led to his own death and that of the members of his family.   This conflict between the tribes should remind us as believers that we are all apart of the “household of God”, His Church, the body of Jesus Christ, and what we do affects the whole body. Also, we shouldn’t even give the appearance that we are worshipping the altars and gods of this world in our attempt to worship the One and Only True God, through Jesus Christ! Being a borderline believer can cause all kinds of conflict and mislead other believers.   Think about it!   God bless!