“God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.”
Joshua 22:23 is part of a narrative that recounts events after the conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. At this point, the Israelites had divided the land among the tribes, and the two and a half tribes from the east side of the Jordan River had received their allotted inheritance and were returning to their families.
In the preceding verses, these two and a half tribes, namely the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, built a large altar near the Jordan River as a memorial. However, when the rest of the tribes of Israel heard about it, they became concerned that these tribes were setting up an unauthorized place of worship, which could potentially lead to idolatry and a departure from the true worship of the Lord.
In response to this concern, a delegation of leaders from the tribes of Israel, led by Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, was sent to inquire about the intentions behind the altar. Joshua 22:23 records their statement, expressing their strong commitment to worshiping the Lord and their refusal to rebel against Him by building another altar for sacrifices.
The key message of this verse is the importance of remaining loyal to the Lord and not deviating from His prescribed ways of worship. The Israelites understood that the establishment of alternative altars for sacrifices could lead to a dilution or distortion of true worship, potentially opening the door to idolatry. They were vigilant in ensuring that the worship of the Lord remained centralized at the tabernacle, where He had chosen to manifest His presence.
This incident in Joshua 22 serves as a reminder for believers today. It emphasizes the need to guard against any form of deviation from God’s prescribed ways of worship and to remain committed to Him alone. It highlights the importance of unity among God’s people and the need for open communication and dialogue to address concerns that may arise within the community of faith.
In summary, Joshua 22:23 reflects the strong commitment of the Israelites to remain faithful to the Lord and their refusal to rebel against Him by building an unauthorized altar. It encourages believers to stay loyal to God, worship Him according to His instructions, and promote unity within the community of faith.
