1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:
3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.
4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, [and] unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.
5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.
7 Now to the [one] half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given [possession] in Bashan: but unto the [other] half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,
8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which [is] in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that [are] in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
12 And when the children of Israel heard [of it], the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
14 And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one [was] an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
15 And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass [is] this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
17 [Is] the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, [seeing] ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
19 Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession [be] unclean, [then] pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD’S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.
20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
22 The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if [it be] in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)
23 That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require [it];
24 And if we have not [rather] done it for fear of [this] thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
25 For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.
26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
27 But [that] it [may be] a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should [so] say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say [again], Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it [is] a witness between us and you.
29 God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that [is] before his tabernacle.
30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which [were] with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD [is] among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.
32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
33 And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar [Ed]: for it [shall be] a witness between us that the LORD [is] God.
Summary of Joshua Chapter 22
Joshua Chapter 22 recounts a significant moment in the history of the Israelites as they settle in the Promised Land. The chapter focuses on the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had received their inheritance east of the Jordan River. It details their return home after aiding their fellow Israelites in the conquest of Canaan and addresses the tensions that arise from their actions.
Key Themes
- Unity and Division: The chapter highlights the importance of unity among the tribes of Israel while also illustrating the potential for division based on geographical and cultural differences.
- Faithfulness and Obedience: The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh demonstrate their commitment to God and their fellow Israelites by fulfilling their promise to help conquer the land.
- Misunderstanding and Conflict Resolution: The chapter showcases how misunderstandings can lead to conflict and the importance of communication in resolving disputes.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-6: Farewell and Blessing
In the opening verses, Joshua calls the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to commend them for their loyalty and courage. He acknowledges their significant contribution to the conquest of Canaan and blesses them as they return to their families and lands.
- Joshua emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commandments.
- He encourages them to continue in their faithfulness and to live in peace.
Verses 7-9: Return to the East
The chapter describes the departure of the eastern tribes as they return to their territories. Their journey is marked by a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment after assisting the other tribes in battle.
- The eastern tribes are reminded of their commitment to their fellow Israelites.
- They are given a portion of the spoils from the conquest, symbolizing their integral role in the community.
Verses 10-12: The Altar of Witness
Upon returning, the eastern tribes construct an altar by the Jordan River. This act raises concerns among the other Israelites, who interpret the altar as a potential act of rebellion against God.
- The altar is described as a “great altar” and is seen as a significant religious symbol.
- The western tribes view it as a threat to their unity and worship practices.
Verses 13-20: The Western Tribes’ Response
In response to the construction of the altar, the western tribes send a delegation led by Phinehas to confront the eastern tribes. They express their fears and remind them of the consequences of previous disobedience that led to divine punishment.
- The delegation emphasizes the need for loyalty to God and the central place of worship.
- They recount the history of Israel’s past transgressions to highlight the seriousness of the situation.
Verses 21-29: The Explanation of the Eastern Tribes
The eastern tribes respond to the accusations, clarifying that their intention in building the altar was not to rebel but to serve as a witness to their shared faith with the western tribes.
- They explain that the altar is a reminder of their connection to the God of Israel.
- Their response emphasizes the importance of unity and the desire to prevent future misunderstandings.
Verses 30-34: Resolution and Peace
Upon hearing the explanation, Phinehas and the delegation are relieved and commend the eastern tribes for their intentions. The altar is then named “A Witness Between Us,” signifying the restored relationship and mutual understanding among the tribes.
- This resolution reinforces the theme of unity in the community of Israel.
- The chapter concludes with a sense of peace and shared identity among all tribes.
Conclusion
Joshua Chapter 22 serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of community, the importance of communication, and the necessity of maintaining unity among diverse groups. It illustrates how misunderstandings can arise and be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect, ultimately strengthening the bonds of faith and fellowship among the people of Israel.
