The 2 ½ tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, sent their fighting men across the River Jordan while their families remained behind in the land given to them to the east of the Jordan. Their fighting men had to help Israel take the Promised Land, and now is time for them to return home (v1-9). They had shown faithfulness in caring not just for themselves, but for the wider people of God. We need to maintain such a similar attitude in our lives.

The returning men decided to build a great altar at the River Jordan (v10). This nearly sparks a civil war (v11-12). This war nearly started because of a misunderstanding as to what exactly these tribes were doing and why.

It was clear that burnt offering and others offering were to be offered centrally at the tabernacle of the Lord. People were not free to just create an altar and offer a sacrifice wherever they please. Behind the maintaining of a central place of sacrifice and worship was the importance of the people remaining united as they come together, and avoiding the danger of people’s religion going down a divergent path.

But through discussion it was discovered that this was not an altar to offer sacrifices but rather it was a replica to remind the people of their part in the altar and sacrifices at the tabernacle (v21-34). This altar was a memorial to encourage unity among the people and unity of worship.