Joshua 22:10
And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to. And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
The verse marks the departure of Reuben and Gad with half of Manasseh to the inheritance already received before crossing the Jordan. As a pastoral people they had desired the wide upland plains and rich forests of Gilead and Bashan, which offered extensive grazing for flocks and herds with attractions not found in Canaan itself. To settle there they had pledged to furnish their proportion of armed men to accompany their brethren across the Jordan and share their battles until the others also entered upon their inheritance. That obligation was faithfully discharged, for forty thousand prepared for war passed over to the plains of Jericho and for years fought bravely beside their brethren. The time then came to go to the land of their possession, and as they had united in the conflicts they shared the spoils, returning with much riches, very much cattle, silver and gold and brass and iron and very much clothing, all to be shared with those who had remained with the families and flocks. They were now to dwell at a distance from the sanctuary, and their departure was watched with anxiety because their isolated and wandering life would bring strong temptations to fall into the customs of the heathen tribes on their borders.
After returning to their possessions east of the Jordan, the eastern tribes united to build a large altar by the Jordan near the place where Israel had miraculously crossed the river. The altar was not designed for sacrifice or worship but simply as a witness that although separated by the river they were of the same faith as their brethren on the other side and were entitled to equal privileges in the tabernacle at Shiloh and the services performed there. The other tribes mistook the altar for a religious defection from true worship. It appeared to be designed to take the place of the tabernacle at Shiloh and thus to lead the people away from the true faith and bring the wrath of God upon the whole nation.
The zeal with which the western tribes censured the builders came from remembering how lack of vigilance to discover sin had been rebuked in the case of Achan, which had led them to resolve to act promptly and earnestly in the future. In seeking to correct that former laxness in dealing with sin, they went to the opposite extreme of harsh judgment and groundless suspicion. Their prompt effort to protect Israel's worship threatened serious difficulty and nearly led to disastrous war against the eastern tribes because of a misunderstanding. Instead of meeting their brethren with censure, they should first have made courteous inquiry to learn all the facts in the case. The episode shows that people honestly seeking to serve true religion may be unjustly suspected and censured, and that meekness and forbearance can prevent great harm.