Joshua 22:28
Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
The words belong to Gad and Reuben with half Manasseh, who had chosen their inheritance before crossing the Jordan in the upland plains and forests of Gilead and Bashan suited to grazing their flocks and herds, and who had pledged armed men to fight with their brethren in Canaan until its conquest was secured. Forty thousand of them prepared for war crossed over to the plains of Jericho, fought for years beside their brethren, then returned with much cattle, silver, gold, brass, iron and clothing to share with those who had stayed with the families and flocks. At that time those tribes were dwelling at a distance from the sanctuary, where their isolated life brought strong temptation to fall into the customs of the heathen tribes on their borders, causing anxious foreboding over their faithfulness.
The altar in view was built after the pattern of the altar at Shiloh, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a witness between the tribes that its builders were also worshipers of the living God. It was raised from fear that in future years their children might be excluded from the tabernacle by their brethren across the Jordan on the ground that they had no share in Israel. The altar was mistaken for evidence of rebellion, prompting the ten tribes promptly and severely to rebuke their brethren from zeal to maintain the honor of God, the purity of Israel and unity among those God had accepted as His own, though they were misjudging men who were honestly seeking to promote true religion. Such zeal to guard true worship can lead to groundless suspicion.
That misunderstanding threatened division in interest and worship and could have brought serious and even fatal results, including war between the tribes. When accused, the builders let the rebuke finish before answering and showed no anger, resentment or desire for retaliation. In a sincere, solemn, meek and forbearing manner they declared their innocence, appealing to the Lord who knew their hearts to testify against them if at fault, and conceding that their lives would justly be forfeited if guilty of the sin charged. Their candid explanation proved their hearts were still true to God, ended all thoughts of war, and united Israel in rejoicing and praise to God.
The account teaches that facts should have been courteously inquired into before condemning brethren. Bearing unjust suspicion and censure with Christian forbearance, meekness and without retaliation is worthy of imitation by churches and individuals today, and following that course would avert great evils.