Joshua 22:31
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.
The verse belongs to the return of Reuben and Gad with half Manasseh to their inheritance east of the Jordan after they faithfully furnished forty thousand armed men to pass over before the Lord to battle to the plains of Jericho and fought for years beside their brethren in Canaan. They then went back with much riches, very much cattle, silver, gold, brass, iron, and very much raiment to share with those who had remained with the families and flocks. Joshua watched their departure with an anxious heart because dwelling at a distance from the sanctuary would expose their isolated life to temptation to fall into the customs of the heathen tribes on their borders.
The suspected trespass was the large altar the eastern tribes had built, which was made only after the pattern of the altar at Shiloh as a witness to future children that they were worshipers of the living God with an equal part in Israel. Phinehas with the ten princes courteously let the eastern tribes finish their defense without anger or resentment at ungrounded suspicion and sharp rebuke, then readily and joyfully accepted their candid explanation that they had not rebelled. The declaration that the Lord is among us means God was present with His people because the eastern tribes had not rebelled or committed trespass against Him but had remained true in heart to the God of Jacob.
The declaration that the tribes had delivered Israel out of the hand of the Lord means their proven innocence spared Israel from the Lord's judgment, with the misunderstanding resolved without bringing judgment on the people. When the joyful acceptance was carried back to the congregation, it dismissed all thoughts of war and united all Israel in heartfelt rejoicing and praise to God. The account teaches Christian forbearance, courtesy, meekness, and willingness to give and receive honest explanation, showing that such a spirit can prevent grave harm when God's people suspect one another.