“A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God” (Josh 22)

And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where the people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled.  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.” (vs33-34)

This witness is zealous love for God and salvation, which shows itself in our love to brethren.

First, handle unfaithfulness directly (vs10-20). We read, “And the people of Israel heard it said, “Behold, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built the altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel.'And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered together at Shiloh to go to war against them”. We aren't to let it slide, but we openly deal with heresy, confronting those we THINK have offended, warning and instructing people who APPEAR to be wrong.   Don't let their position in the church or your cowardice keep you from dealing truthfully with sin, lest it spread to the church like leaven, and the Lord departs, fights against you, and misery is the result.

Secondly, we plead our case before the Lord, if we're innocent (vs21-29). We read, “Then the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh said in answer to the heads of the families of Israel, “The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today for building an altar to turn away from following the LORD. Or if we did so to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings on it, may the LORD himself take vengeance”.  We don't violate scripture. We openly confess our rightness by opening the bible, God's word, and declaring that our actions are pleasing to Him. We honor His worship and word.

He is worshiped as He declares, and we know this. We read again, “Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn from following the Lord this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle” (vs29). It isn't how, where, or with what I choose, but it's in the Son, by faith, and unto love.  True worship must be had at all costs, so we're wise, even if people hate us, to ensure that we obey God. Jesus said, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:27-28).  He hasn't said, "You're blessed.  Do whatever you want".  He's said, “But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Josh 22:5). Godly fear triumphs over the fear of being judged or misjudged by men.

Thirdly, coming together to reason before the Lord keeps brethren united (vs30-34). We read, “ And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD... So the thing pleased the children of Israel, and the children of Israel blessed God; they spoke no more of going against them in battle, to destroy the land where the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt”.  Suspicion and lies didn't lead the day. Instead, concern, fear of God, and mutual love conquered.  Israel offered their land.  They said, "Nevertheless, if the land of your possession is unclean, then cross over to the land of the possession of the Lord, where the Lord's tabernacle stands, and take possession among us; but do not rebel against the Lord, nor rebel against us, by building yourselves an altar besides the altar of the Lord our God" (vs19).  Likewise, the three tribes east of Jordan gave heart-warming confession of love to Christ. The result of love is peace.  Obedience produces happiness.

Some blame God for misery and sin, but God is the hope filled remedy, the Reconciler, and the Giver of blessings.  When eyes are open, we see God's ways produce peace, while humans bring misery on ourselves by sin. Isaiah 59:8 says, “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace”.

Learn the joys of obedience, fearing God above human relations and opinions!