Misunderstood Intentions

Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh claimed possessions on the east side of the Jordan River. Moses granted their request with the condition that they first help the rest of the nation of Israel conquer the land west of the Jordan (Numbers 32). The two-and-a-half tribes met that condition. When the land of Israel was basically conquered (Joshua 21:43-44), Joshua released these tribes to claim their eastern possessions (Joshua 22:1-4).

Moses had entertained reservations about the proposal from the start. One of his particular concerns was that the isolation of these tribes would make it easy for them to wander away from God. When the tribes made their request, he had warned them, "If you turn away from following Him, He will once more abandon [Israel] in the wilderness, and you will destroy all these people" (Numbers 32:15). Their rebellion could bring God's judgment on the entire nation.

Joshua also shared this concern. When he released the tribes to go to their possessions, he cautioned: "Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Joshua 22:5). Because they would be separated from the rest of Israel, the danger for them to fall was especially strong.

The first thing the eastern tribes did when they entered their possession was to build an altar (Joshua 22:10).This did not go over well with the rest of Israel, who assumed the worst. They thought that these tribes had immediately taken advantage of their separation and independence to rebel and embrace false worship. The rest of Israel, committed to following God, was so upset that they prepared to go to war against the erring tribes (22:12).

In advance of the war, they sent a delegation to express their grievance. The representatives indicted, "What is this unfaithful act which you have committed against the God of Israel, turning away from following the LORD this day, by building yourselves an altar, to rebel against the LORD this day?" (22:16). They reminded the erring tribes of past rebellions and of the subsequent judgment that could fall on the entire nation.

That the delegation was sent before the battle commenced was providential. The truth was that the altar had not been built out of rebellion. It was never intended to be used in false worship. Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were quick to set the record straight. They recognized the legitimacy of the concern that had been expressed by Moses and Joshua. They saw the potential ease with which they could fall into false worship, and they wanted to prevent such a failure. More specifically, they recognized the danger of not being considered a true part of the God-worshiping nation of Israel.

The three tribes explained, "Truly we have done this out of concern, for a reason, saying, 'In time to come your sons may say to our sons, "What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?"'" (22:24). They continued, "Therefore we said, 'Let us build an altar, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice; rather it shall be a witness between us and you and between our generations after us, that we are to perform the service of the LORD before Him'" (22:27).

The altar had not been built for false worship. It had not even been built for unlawful worship of the true God. Rather, it had been built as a sign of remembrance and solidarity. It was intended to remind everyone that the three tribes still followed the same true God. It was a visible confirmation of their devotion to God in spite of their geographic separation from the rest of Israel.

The representatives and the rest of the tribes were pleased with this answer. All ended well, but it easily could have ended in disaster. This story reveals three important lessons.

First, there is a danger inherent in separation or alienation from the rest of God's people. Isolation invites disaster. Everyone in this story - Moses, Joshua, the three tribes, and the nine tribes - saw the danger. Without being surrounded by the structure and support of other godly people, it is easy to fall. While isolation is sometimes unavoidable, purposefully seeking to be on the fringes or independent is a recipe for disaster. The isolated individual is not in a good spot. Far too often, even well-intentioned individuals will eventually fall.

Second, when someone is isolated or alienated, it is particularly easy for others to misconstrue his actions and purposes. There is already a level of uncertainty about the one who is isolated. There is less connection and less knowledge of his situation. There is less communication that would help to clarify. There is a lack of unity and fellowship that would build bonds. The rest of the body of Christ is not really in a good spot as relates to the one who is separated. Misunderstanding, though not always warranted, is almost inevitable.

Third, there is a proper way of handling misunderstandings. In this case, the situation was handled well. Granted, the immediate gathering of an army for war was a little hasty (although warranted if the conclusion had been correct). Thankfully, people took time to communicate, expressing concern and listening to answers before taking action. This proper procedure led to a positive resolution and even a strengthening of the bond between the two parties.

This positive resolution will not always be possible, in part because of the first danger. Unfortunately, there will be many cases in which the isolated party, in his risky situation, has indeed fallen into error; sometimes he wants to stay that way. Restoration is best when that is possible, and clarification is best when that is needed. Both deliberate isolation and hasty judgments should be avoided.