The Atlar of Ed

“Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice: 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.” (Jos 22:26-27 AV)

Another altar which comes to mind is the one Jacob and Laban built in Mizpah.  It was not an altar upon which sacrifices were made.  It was an altar of witness.  Another such altar or monument was the one Joshua built upon which the names of the tribes and the law was etched.  Not his altar upon which the one-time sacrifice of offered.  The memorial pillars erected soon after crossing Jordan were intended to be a reminder to the nation of their origins and purpose.  This altar, Ed, was built as a witness between the two and a half tribes and the rest of the nation not to forget one another.  This witness, Ed, was a monument to unity because the natural division of a river might cause the nation to forget they are one.

There are natural divisions between the people of God.  Conflicting schedules, difference in interests, even family identities can all work to keep us separated and distant.  These are not wrong.  They are just natural.  Unless there is an effort to remind the local church that we are one body, it is easy to ignore those who have needs outside of our own little group of natural divisions.  Pastoring a small country church, the body seems to organize itself around families.  Again, this is only natural.  There is nothing wrong with being acclimated towards one’s family.  The problem with failing to keep a balance is those who do not have family in the church in which they are attending can feel left out and not a real part of the greater whole.  This was the concern of the two and a half tribes.  They were in the minority and were afraid that after a time, Jordan would give cause for the majority to forge the minority. 

Yet, there is another application here.  It was the minority that reminded the majority.  Therefore, if one finds himself or herself that you are in the minority, it is for you to make that effort.  The majority will naturally neglect it.  If we are in the majority, we are to recognize that effort and appreciate it, responding in kind to never forget the minority!  Small family-oriented churches sometimes stay small because families are close knit and often forget those small minorities that have no family in the church.  Let us all build an altar of Ed that we not forget one another!