Mutual Respect and Unity of Purpose

“And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.” (Jos 22:31 AV)

 

Joshua is closing out his ministry with the nation of Israel.  For the most part, they have conquered the lands promised to them by God through Abraham.  The two and a half tribes that settled on the east side of Jordan are released from further obligation to help the rest of the nation settle their lands.  They return to their inheritance and upon returning, build an altar on the east side of the river Jordan.  This altar has the appearance of an altar that might be used to offer sacrifice on it.  This caused great consternation on the part of the other tribes.  They had gathered themselves together, ready to make war with the two and a half tribes.  The priests with tribal representatives met with the elders of the two and a half tribes to warn them of the problem with that altar.  There was only one legitimate altar and that altar was in the tabernacle.  If they offered upon this new altar, they feared God would bring judgment upon the entire nation.  When put to account, these two and a half tribes explained the purpose of the altar was as a witness against the rest of the nation that if they were to disenfranchise the tribes on the eastern side of Jordan, they would then use the altar.  As long as the way to the tabernacle was open, the altar would remain unused.  In essence, that altar was the means by which both sides kept the other accountable.

This reminds me of the memorial Jacob and Laban constructed at Mizpeh.  That memorial was a reminder to both sides they were to act in benevolence and kindness towards one another even though they could not co-exist with one another.  It also reminds me of the parting of Paul and Barnabas over John Mark.  Neither was wrong.  Both were right.  They had a difference of purpose.  Not a difference of opinion.  The same was true of the two and a half tribes compared to the others.  They had a difference of purpose.  Their purpose was to be the first line of defense against an enemy and to raise cattle in lush pastures.  Neither side was wrong.  Jacob was the father of a nation.  His purpose was different than Laban’s.  Each had their own calling and purposed their own purpose.  There is no harm no wrong here.  In all three cases, there were clear lines of demarcation.  But there was also an understanding of mutual cooperation and shared goals or purposes.  The two and a half tribes may have had a different purpose than the rest of the nation, but they were still part of that nation and in their purpose, contributed to an overall purpose for the whole.  Jacob may have been the father of Israel, but Laban was a father of a Gentile nation.  Both nations have the purpose of glorifying God.  Yet their individual purposes varied.  Paul and Barnabas is our best example.  Paul was called to be a missionary and he could not have a co-worker who quit easily.  Barnabas was a pastor and his heart was in mentoring.  Both had the same overall purpose of the gospel.

The elders sent to the two and a half tribes looked on that altar and the purpose for it and concluded this to be a sign that God was among them.  When they realized the purpose for this altar was not an indication of disrespect or rebellion, these elders rejoiced.  They saw the altar for what it was.  It was an indication of mutual respect and an understanding of differing priorities among God’s people.  The overall goal was not being abandoned.  Rather, the altar affirmed it.  And understanding between the leadership of the nation that they were unified even though they had different, and sometimes conflicting, priorities.  As long as they both respected the altar; both altars; they were good.   Ed (that was what they named the altar) was a standing memorial between the tribes of Israel to respect one another, to not limit access to the promises of God to which all were entitled, and to understand they have separate responsibilities that contributed to the whole; each being of equal value.