Josh. 22:1–24:33 Serving the Lord in the Land. In this final section, with the Lord having fulfilled all his “good promises” (21:45), it is now Israel’s turn to respond. In his old age, Joshua charges the people to unite and serve the Lord alone.
Josh. 22:1–34 The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the eastern half of Manasseh are released to return to their homes east of the Jordan River. They have fulfilled their duties to their fellow Israelites west of the Jordan (see Numbers 32).
Josh. 22:8 Divide the spoil . . . with your brothers. The spoils of victory are regarded as gifts from the Lord. They are to be shared with allies, or covenant partners, regardless of their actual role in the conflict (see Num. 31:25–31; 1 Sam. 30:24).
Josh. 22:10–11 As they returned to their homes east of the Jordan, the eastern tribes built an altar of imposing size, apparently on the western shore of the Jordan (on the side that belongs to the people of Israel) but large enough to be seen from either side.
Josh. 22:13–20 Fearing that the altar means the eastern tribes have strayed from following God, the tribes west of the Jordan send a group to confront them. Phinehas the son of Eleazar. See Num. 25:1–9. Given its communal responsibility, all Israel can suffer for the sins of a few or even just one. The group rightly fears that the Lord may become angry with the whole congregation of Israel (Josh. 22:18).
Josh. 22:21–31 The group from the western tribes is relieved that the altar built by the eastern tribes is only a copy of the altar of the Lord (v. 28). It is not intended to rival the altar at Shiloh. It is only to serve as a witness (v. 28), a visible monument to counter any suggestion (now or in the future) that the eastern tribes have no portion in the Lord (v. 25).
Josh. 22:34 called the altar Witness. This sixth monument in the land (see note on 4:20) bears witness to the unity of the Israelite tribes on both sides of the Jordan.
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