Joshua 22:17

"“The whole congregation of the LORD says, ‘What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away today from following the LORD, in that you have built yourselves an altar, to rebel today against the LORD?"

Key Reflection

Joshua 22:17 highlights a significant conflict within the Israelite community when some tribes built an altar on the east side of the Jordan River after their return from the Promised Land. This act was seen as a clear defiance of God’s command not to build altars outside the designated place of worship in Shiloh (Exodus 20:24). The phrase "what trespass is this" underscores the seriousness with which the entire congregation viewed this action, considering it an act of rebellion against both God and His established order. This event serves as a cautionary tale about maintaining unity and obedience to God’s laws, highlighting the potential consequences of deviating from communal worship practices.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

From which we are not cleansed until this day -Phinehas, who had borne a conspicuous part in vindicating the cause of God against those who fell away to Baal-peor, means that terrible as the punishment had been, there were still those among them who hankered after Baal worship, and even practiced it in secret. (Compare Joshua’s words,Joshua 24:14-23.)

More from Joshua 22

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