Joshua 22:30-34

The Gileadites’ explanation relieved and satisfied Phinehas and his companions. They were glad to discover that their brethren were not apostatizing and that the nation would not therefore fall under God’s discipline. They allowed this altar to remain in place and apparently felt its presence would do more good than harm.

Probably the Israelites should not have allowed this altar to stand. God had not ordained it. In the future, other people would misunderstand its existence as some had already done. Though there is no record in Scripture that this particular altar became a snare to the Israelites, the practice of building altars continued in Israel. It resulted in the weakening of tribal ties and allegiance to Yahweh rather than strengthening them (e.g., Judges 17:5).

This incident illustrates the fact that sometimes, action taken with the best of motives and for worthy purposes, can result in worse rather than better conditions. This can be the outcome if people do not clearly understand and carefully obey the whole revealed will of God. This kind of mistake often results from enthusiasm over a previous blessing, as was true here.

Nevertheless, the major lessons of this chapter are positive. The zeal of the two and one-half tribes for the unity of their nation and the purity of their faith was commendable. The other Israelites’ unwillingness to judge their brethren’s motive on the basis of circumstantial evidence is also admirable. Furthermore, we learn that gentle confrontation and candid discussion of problems can often result in the resolution of misunderstandings (cf. Proverbs 15:1). [Note: Campbell, No Time . . ., p. 131.] The Israelites dealt wisely with a situation that could have split the people of God. Instead they were able to continue to follow God faithfully in unity.