This verse reminds us that setting up healthy reminders of our shared faith helps prevent future division.
But truly we have done this out of concern, for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your sons may say to our sons, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?”’ (Joshua 22:24). In this verse, the eastern tribes of Israel—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—explain why they built a large altar by the Jordan. These tribes settled in the region east of the Jordan River, a land known as Gilead, which was located in what is today part of northern Jordan. They feared that, in future generations, the other Israelites might question whether those on the eastern side of the Jordan truly belonged to the LORD. To prevent such division, they constructed a replica altar as a witness, rather than for sacrifice, so all would remember that they, too, worshipped the same God as their brothers on the western side of the Jordan.
Their statement, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?” captures the concern that distance and geography could eventually breed neglect or misunderstanding. At this point in Israel’s history (roughly the late fifteenth century BC, under Joshua’s leadership), national unity was crucial. Joshua, who led Israel after Moses (around 1406-1390 BC), had guided them in taking the Promised Land. But now that these eastern tribes returned to their allotted land, the question arose whether they would remain faithful to the central place of worship and maintain bond with the rest of Israel. The altar stood as a symbol that they shared the same covenant relationship with the LORD, even if the Jordan River lay between them.
This moment points to the powerful biblical principle of preserving unity among God’s people. When we remember we have “one Lord, one faith” (Ephesians 4:5), we can overcome physical or cultural differences by testifying to our shared devotion.
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Joshua 22:24 meaning
But truly we have done this out of concern, for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your sons may say to our sons, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?”’ (Joshua 22:24). In this verse, the eastern tribes of Israel—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—explain why they built a large altar by the Jordan. These tribes settled in the region east of the Jordan River, a land known as Gilead, which was located in what is today part of northern Jordan. They feared that, in future generations, the other Israelites might question whether those on the eastern side of the Jordan truly belonged to the LORD. To prevent such division, they constructed a replica altar as a witness, rather than for sacrifice, so all would remember that they, too, worshipped the same God as their brothers on the western side of the Jordan.
Their statement, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?” captures the concern that distance and geography could eventually breed neglect or misunderstanding. At this point in Israel’s history (roughly the late fifteenth century BC, under Joshua’s leadership), national unity was crucial. Joshua, who led Israel after Moses (around 1406-1390 BC), had guided them in taking the Promised Land. But now that these eastern tribes returned to their allotted land, the question arose whether they would remain faithful to the central place of worship and maintain bond with the rest of Israel. The altar stood as a symbol that they shared the same covenant relationship with the LORD, even if the Jordan River lay between them.
This moment points to the powerful biblical principle of preserving unity among God’s people. When we remember we have “one Lord, one faith” (Ephesians 4:5), we can overcome physical or cultural differences by testifying to our shared devotion.