22:25Joshua 22:25

Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh settled east of the Jordan with the river as a border between them and their brethren, having as a pastoral people chosen the wide upland plains and rich forests of Gilead and Bashan for grazing.PP 517.4–518.1 Those tribes kept their pledge to supply their proportion of armed men to cross the Jordan and share the battles until Israel entered its inheritance, with forty thousand passing over to the plains of Jericho and fighting bravely for years beside their brethren, then returning 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.PP 517.4–518.1 They were then to dwell at a distance from the sanctuary in an isolated and wandering life among heathen tribes on their borders, with strong temptation to fall into heathen customs, a separation watched with an anxious heart lest in future years their children be treated as having no part in the LORD and cease to fear Him.PP 517.4–518.1

The verse voices the eastern tribes' fear that in future years their brethren across the Jordan would exclude their children from the tabernacle as having no part in Israel and cause them to cease from fearing the LORD.PP 517.4–518.1+1 It also reflects the western tribes' fear that the Jordan would divide Israel's worship and cause the eastern tribes' children and descendants to seem to have, and to believe they had, no share in the LORD.ST May 12, 1881+1 To meet that danger the eastern tribes built an altar after the pattern of the altar of the Lord at Shiloh as a witness that its builders were also worshipers of the living God.ST May 12, 1881 The western tribes promptly rebuked their brethren over the suspected rebellion with ungrounded suspicions, sharp rebukes, and even thoughts of war, but the suspicion was mistaken.ST May 12, 1881+1

When accused, the eastern tribes showed forbearance with no anger or resentment, solemnly declaring their innocence and appealing to the Lord who knew their hearts to testify against them if at fault, even agreeing their lives would justly be forfeited if guilty.ST May 12, 1881 Their candid explanation brought joy and ended all thoughts of war in heartfelt rejoicing and praise to God.ST May 12, 1881 The episode shows how serious harm can arise from misunderstanding, and how explanation, meekness, and forbearance can avert it.ST May 12, 1881 The episode shows the western concern for continued faithfulness was sincere, but warns that zeal against sin can become unjust suspicion when people judge before learning the facts.ST May 12, 1881