Joshua 22:33
And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt. And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
The altar that stood behind the rejoicing had not been built for sacrifice, but after the pattern of the altar at Shiloh, as a witness that its builders also worshiped the living God. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, with the half-tribe of Manasseh, had raised it from fear that their children might in the future be excluded from the tabernacle as having no part in Israel. When Phinehas and the princes heard this sincere and solemn defense they readily accepted it with great joy that the hearts of their brethren were still true to the God of Jacob. When the tidings were carried back, all Israel accepted it, dismissed all thoughts of going up in battle to destroy the land wherein Reuben and Gad dwelt, and united in heartfelt rejoicing and praise to God.
The threat of war thus resolved had grown out of sincere concern and fear that Israel would be divided in worship and fall into sin. The western tribes had mistaken the altar for defection from God and had rebuked what they thought was unfaithfulness. Such a misunderstanding over supposed unfaithfulness could have brought grave harm.
The joyful outcome was the fruit of answering ungrounded suspicion and sharp rebuke without anger, resentment, or retaliation. In its place were courtesy, innocence, patience, and forbearance, with appeal to the Lord who knew their hearts. To guard against such danger, the safer course would have been first to ask their brethren courteously to learn the facts rather than approaching them with suspicion and censure.