[One-Verse Meditation]

Joshua 22:19 “But if your land is unclean, cross over into the LORD’s land, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and share it with us. Only do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the LORD our God.”


[Meditation]

The “imposing altar” built by the eastern tribes brought the entire community to the brink of war. For the western tribes, who had painfully experienced the communal judgment for past sins (Achan, Peor), their brother’s transgression was a matter of survival for the whole community. Yet, when they came, ready even for war, what came from their mouths was not condemnation.

“If your land is unclean, cross over to our land. We will share what we have. Just please, do not sin by rebelling against the LORD.”

But the story does not end there. The eastern tribes also reveal their reason for building the altar. They were afraid that their descendants, separated by the Jordan, would be told, “You have no part in the LORD,” and thus be cut off from Him (vv. 24-25). In other words, the altar was their own form of “clumsy zeal” to remain attached to the LORD. In the end, though their methods were different and caused a great misunderstanding, at the heart of both sides flowed a single desire: “not to turn away from God.”

This is the mystery of God’s zeal for the Church. Human’s clumsy zeal may produce wounds and misunderstandings, but God’s zeal, which loves His people, flows through all conflicts and mistakes. Therefore, the western tribes’ love, willing to give up their own land, and the eastern tribes’ struggle to remain within the covenant, were both expressions shaped by His zeal.

[Prayer]

“Lord, help us today to see Your zeal at work in both me and you, so that our steps may overflow with joy and gratitude. Amen.”
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[Daily Meditation]

Joshua 22:17-29