What is Your Witness?

28 “If they say this, our descendants can reply, ‘Look at this copy of the Lord’s altar that our ancestors made. It is not for burnt offerings or sacrifices; it is a reminder of the relationship both of us have with the Lord.’ 29 Far be it from us to rebel against the Lord or turn away from him by building our own altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices. Only the altar of the Lord our God that stands in front of the Tabernacle may be used for that purpose.”

30 When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community—the heads of the clans of Israel—heard this from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, they were satisfied. 31 Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, “Today we know the Lord is among us because you have not committed this treachery against the Lord as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the hand of the Lord.”

32 Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the other leaders left the tribes of Reuben and Gad in Gilead and returned to the land of Canaan to tell the Israelites what had happened. 33 And all the Israelites were satisfied and praised God and spoke no more of war against Reuben and Gad.

34 The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar “Witness,”for they said, “It is a witness between us and them that the Lord is our God, too.”Joshua 22:28-34

This story in the book of Joshua is one that I can’t say that I have heard anyone preach on before. And yet for me it has great significance. In this chapter Joshua has told the children of Israel to go and enjoy the land they have now possessed. The children of Reuben and Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh had not been given land by Moses across the Jordan River, rather they were given the land of Gilead in Canaan. They had crossed over Jordan to fight for the land east of Jordan with the other tribes. and when they returned to the land they had been given, they built an imposing altar. The other tribes heard of the altar and were reminded of the destruction that came upon the children of Israel when they built the golden calf and other forms of rebellion that the children of Israel had taken in the wilderness. Not wanting this to come upon them now, they sent a delegation headed by Phinehas the priest to investigate.

The above passage explains why the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh built the altar – and this explanation pleased the investigators. In thinking on this, I reflected on what was my witness - what do I keep as a memorial to the God who has brought me rest from my enemies? I’m reminded of the song, “My soul is a witness!” And for me that is what I desire, I want my very life to be a witness to the saving power, the raising power, and the keeping power of my God! More than that, I want to have a witness in reproducing fruit after my own kind – my prayer is that I will have strong fruit trees that bear fruit in every season.

Selah,
Maria