Their honest concern (Josh. 22:9–10)

As the men of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh made their way east and passed landmarks that brought back memories of the great things God had done, their hearts began to disturb them. Happy as they were to be going home, it wasn’t easy to say good-bye to their brothers and leave behind the nearness of the priesthood and the tabernacle. They were leaving the land that God had promised to bless. Yes, they were going home to the land that they had chosen for themselves; but somehow they began to feel isolated from the nation of Israel.

9. So the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, which they had obtained according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 10 And when they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan—a great, impressive altar.

I. There’s no question that Canaan was God’s appointed land for His people.

A. Anything short of Canaan wasn’t what He wanted for them.

The two and a half tribes made their decision, not on the basis of spiritual values, but on the basis of material gain; for the land east of the Jordan was ideal for raising cattle.

Let’s look at the decision Lot made when he pitched his tent toward Sodom. “10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.” In both instances, the people walked by sight and not by faith.

B. The people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh divided the nation and separated themselves from the blessings of the land of Canaan.

They were farther away from the tabernacle and closer to the enemy. They became what I call “borderline believers.” You’ll recall that as we look at this that Egypt represents the world and Canaan the believer’s inheritance in Christ.

The wilderness wanderings represent the experience of believers who don’t enter by faith into the rest God has for them. The two and a half tribes portray believers who have experienced the blessings and battles of Canaan—their inheritance in Christ—but prefer to live on the border, outside God’s appointed place of blessing.

II. How did they decide to solve the problem which they themselves had created?

A. They built a large altar of stones by the Jordan River.

The alter was built on the Canaan side, as a reminder to everybody that the two and a half tribes also belonged to the nation of Israel.

Had Had these tribes been living in the land of Canaan where they belonged, nobody would have questioned their nationality. But living outside the land, they gave the impression that they were not Israelites.

B. This is now the eighth memorial erected in Canaan.

It’s unfortunate when believers have to resort to artificial means to let people know they’re God’s people. In recent years we’ve seen a spate of “religious” bumper stickers, jewelry, decals, and other items (including mirrors and combs with Bible verses on them), all of which are supposed to help identify the owners with Jesus Christ.

Now it’s not wrong to have things like that, and these things might occasionally open doors of opportunity for witness, how much better it would be if our Spirit-led conduct and speech made the lost sit up and take notice. When we’re living as God wants us to live, we’re salt and light; and the Lord uses our witness for His glory.

If the people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had faithfully attended the feasts in Jerusalem, honored the Lord by obeying His Word, and talked about His Word in their homes, they would be able to raise their children to know and serve the Lord. The altar on the Jordan bank, however, was no guarantee of such success.