“Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?”
Joshua 22:16 is part of a larger passage that recounts an incident involving the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These tribes had been given land on the east side of the Jordan River, and after the conquest of the Promised Land, they were allowed to return to their allotted inheritance.
In this verse, the other tribes of Israel, represented by “the whole congregation of the LORD,” confront the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh about the construction of an altar. The tribes west of the Jordan interpreted this act as a trespass against the God of Israel, fearing that it would lead to rebellion and a departure from following the Lord.
This incident took place after the completion of the conquest of Canaan when Joshua had dismissed the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to return to their families and lands (Joshua 22:1-6). As they traveled back, they built an altar on their side of the Jordan River, near its western bank. The purpose of this altar, as explained by the tribes in later verses, was not for offering sacrifices or worshiping false gods, but to serve as a witness and a memorial between the tribes on both sides of the river (Joshua 22:26-28).
However, when the rest of the Israelites heard about the construction of this altar, they immediately assumed the worst. Their concern was that the tribes on the east side of the Jordan were rebelling against the Lord and turning away from following Him. They viewed the altar as a violation of God’s command to worship Him at the central sanctuary, where the tabernacle was located.
The response of the “whole congregation of the LORD” shows their commitment to maintaining the purity of worship and their zeal for the Lord. They were quick to confront the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh and seek an explanation for their actions.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and the avoidance of assumptions. It is a testament to the unity of the Israelite tribes and their commitment to maintaining the true worship of the Lord. Ultimately, through dialogue and understanding, this misunderstanding was resolved, and the tribes on the east side of the Jordan were able to clarify their intentions.
Joshua 22:16 highlights the need for vigilance in matters of worship and the potential dangers of misinterpretation. It teaches us the importance of seeking clarification and understanding before jumping to conclusions, as well as the significance of unity and preserving the integrity of worship.
