In Numbers 32, two and a half tribes of Israel made a request to Moses. They desired to have their inheritance on the east side of Jordan, the land of Jazer and Gilead that had already been conquered in their travel to the land of Canaan. They were allowed to have this land as their inheritance if they would fight with the rest of Israel in the conquest of Canaan. They made a promise in Numbers 32:16-18 to fight with their fellow Israelites until all of Canaan was conquered before they returned back to their land east of the Jordan. Moses told them if they were faithful to this pledge, they would be guiltless before the Lord, but warned, “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

These tribes were faithful to their promise (Josh. 22:1-6). They did not desert their brethren as Demas forsook Paul (2 Tim. 4:10). They did not grow weary in doing good (Gal. 6:9). However, on their return trip, they did something that caused quite a commotion in Israel. When these tribes came to the border of the Jordan, they decided to build an altar (Josh. 22:10).

The rest of Israel thought this was a rebellion against the Lord’s established worship (Josh. 22:11-12). Another altar for worship was considered a trespass (Josh. 22:16, 20). Israel had been instructed to destroy the places of worship used to honor foreign gods and worship at the place God put his name (Deut.12). At this time in Joshua 22 the tabernacle, housing the ark of the covenant where God would meet with His people (Ex. 25:22; 29:43; 30:36), was located at Shiloh (Josh. 18:1; 19:51). From the beginning, God has always designated approved worship and has not allowed alteration based on man’s whims (cf. Gen. 4:1-7; Heb. 11:4). Offering a sacrifice to the Lord upon another altar that was not the one the Lord had designated at His tabernacle was grounds for expulsion from the covenant people of Israel (Lev. 17:8-9).

However, the reality was Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh were just as opposed to worshipping at some other altar as the rest of Israel was (Josh. 22:29). This altar was simply a memorial to remind their descendants of the common faith and heritage that they had with the rest of Israel (Josh. 22:24-28). Concern likely existed among both parties of the effect the distance and the divide of the Jordan river would have on their common faith as time progressed. Consider the tribe of Manasseh particularly; this tribe would be split in half geographically by their possession (Josh. 22:7). God’s people today have a divinely appointed memorial, the Lord’s supper, that reminds them they are united by Christ dying for them; this fellowship of the Lord’s Supper is why it is called “communion” (1 Cor. 10:16).

When they heard the real reason for the altar being built, Israel was appeased and did not go to war with their brethren (Josh. 22:33). In Israel’s zeal for purity, they assumed these tribes were rebelling when they were not. Proverbs 18:13 says, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” It is good and noble to be concerned about purity and faithfulness to God across the brotherhood, but we must learn from this occasion in Israel that it is possible to jump to the wrong conclusions. Remember love “is not easily provoked,” “rejoiceth in the truth,” “believeth all things, hopeth all things” (1 Cor. 13:5-7). We should not be quick to put the worst possible twist on the actions of our brothers. Instead, we should seek out the truth and be willing to pause and give a brother the benefit of the doubt before we go accusing.

Just as the tribes who returned to the east side of the Jordan may have been misunderstood by their action of building an altar so we can be misunderstood today as well. It is important for us not to give the wrong impression by our actions. An act may not be wrong before the Lord, but may be perceived as wrong by another. As the apostle Paul made a habit of doing, so we are to be, “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Cor. 8:21). By considering the effect we have on others and their perceptions, we can avoid allowing our good to be evil spoken of (Rom. 14:16).             -Mark Day