VOTD - Joshua 22:34
Today's verse from Logos is Joshua 22:34. The book of Joshua narrates the conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership after Moses's death. After the conquest of the land, Joshua divided the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, and they settled in their respective territories. However, before the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned to their allotted land on the east side of the Jordan River, they built an altar near the Jordan. This caused a great uproar among the other tribes of Israel, who thought that the eastern tribes were rebelling against the Lord and setting up a rival altar to the one in Shiloh.
Joshua 22:34 is the concluding verse of the episode of the building of the altar by the eastern tribes. The verse reads, "The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, 'For,' they said, 'it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.'" The name of the altar, "Witness," emphasizes its function as a testimony or evidence of the covenant relationship between the eastern tribes and the Lord. The altar was not meant for sacrificial worship but rather as a memorial of their unity with the rest of Israel in their worship of the Lord. The eastern tribes wanted to ensure they would not be cut off from worshipping the Lord and the rest of Israel, even though they lived on the other side of the Jordan.
The building of the altar by the eastern tribes reflects the importance of unity and fellowship in the worship of the Lord in ancient Israel. The altar served as a reminder that the eastern tribes were part of the larger Israel community and shared a common faith and worship. The episode also highlights the potential for misunderstanding and conflict within the community, which could arise due to geographical, cultural, and traditional differences.
As Christians, we can learn from the example of the eastern tribes and their commitment to maintaining unity and fellowship with the rest of Israel in their worship of the Lord. We are called to be one body in Christ. We should strive to maintain unity and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, even when we have differences in culture, tradition, and interpretation of Scripture.
This story should remind us of the importance of communication and dialogue in resolving conflicts and misunderstandings within the body. We should seek to understand each other's perspectives and motivations and work toward reconciliation and unity in the spirit of love and humility. That does not say we should compromise truth in the name of love. Joshua 22:34 teaches us the importance of unity, fellowship, and communication in the worship of the Lord.
