“Tribal Unity Loyalty to God”

 “Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,” (Joshua 22:1)

Unity and Loyalty are wonderfully positive words. Tribal, comes with many meanings. People who like a sports team will become united around that team, some to the point of violence. Some of those who are a member of the sports team will incite their fans to have all sorts of sinful beliefs. The reason is they are not Loyal to God. That is what becomes the problem.

At this point Israel is a tribe that consists of 12 clans; much like American Native tribes, the tribes across Europe, or family groups. War among families are not unique.

“And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.” (Joshua 22:10)

Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh were building and altar that the rest of Israel were suspicious of. Israel saw this as an altar against the will of God. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The children of Rueben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh explained that this was not an altar for sacrifice, but as a witness to the LORD God, between them and Israel in Canaan.

“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.” (Joshua 22:33)

Stay tuned…