Unity or Division? The Altar of Witness and the Fragility of God’s People

Unity or Division? The Altar of Witness and the Fragility of God’s People

Unity among God’s people is both precious and precarious. From the earliest days of Israel, division has threatened to undo what God has established. In Joshua 22, after the conquest and division of the land, a misunderstanding nearly sparked a civil war between the tribes. At the center of the conflict stood an altar—built not for rebellion, but as a witness. This account reminds us how quickly God’s people can fracture, how suspicion can breed division, and how reconciliation requires humility and dialogue. The lessons are just as urgent for the church today.

Biblical Foundation

“But when they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben, the sons of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a large altar in appearance.” (Joshua 22:10, NASB)

“So the sons of Israel heard of it; and the sons of Israel gathered together at Shiloh, to go up against them in war.” (Joshua 22:12, NASB)

“Far be it from us that we would rebel against the LORD and turn away from following the LORD this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle!” (Joshua 22:29, NASB)

“So the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar Witness; ‘For,’ they said, ‘it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.’” (Joshua 22:34, NASB)

Historical & Contextual Notes

The eastern tribes—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—had been granted territory beyond the Jordan (Numbers 32). They faithfully fought alongside their brothers to secure the land west of the Jordan, fulfilling their promise to Moses and Joshua. But as they returned home, they built a massive altar near the Jordan River.

The western tribes immediately assumed rebellion. In their eyes, this altar meant idolatry, a rival sanctuary that would draw hearts away from Shiloh where God had placed His name. They prepared for war—civil war, against their own kin.

But instead of rushing into battle, they sent Phinehas the priest and leaders to confront the eastern tribes. The eastern tribes explained that the altar was not for sacrifice but as a witness—a tangible reminder that, despite the Jordan River between them, they belonged to the same covenant community. The crisis was defused not by swords, but by words.

Misconceptions / Objections

1. “The altar was rebellion.”

   The initial assumption was wrong. This teaches us the danger of judging motives without facts. Misinterpretation nearly caused catastrophic division.

2. “Unity means ignoring potential sin.”

   The western tribes were right to be vigilant. Idolatry had destroyed Israel before. Unity does not mean turning a blind eye; it means handling potential sin with careful truth and love.

3. “Once conflict starts, it always leads to division.”

   This story shows the opposite: when God’s people slow down, listen, and seek reconciliation, unity can be preserved—even deepened.

Theological Reflection

The Hebrew word for “witness” is עֵד (ʿēd), meaning testimony or memorial. The altar was meant to testify across generations that both sides of the Jordan belonged to the same covenant. It functioned as a visible sermon: geography would not divide God’s people if covenant loyalty united them.

This passage also reveals how fragile unity is among God’s people. One misunderstanding almost destroyed Israel’s fellowship. Suspicion unchecked leads to strife. But humility, careful listening, and reaffirming God’s covenant restore peace.

Connection to Christ

Christ prayed for His disciples: “that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21, NASB). Just as the altar of witness testified that the LORD is God, the unity of Christ’s church testifies to the world that Jesus is Lord.

The cross itself is the ultimate altar of witness. It stands as the testimony that all who are in Christ—Jew or Gentile, slave or free—belong to one body. Where the Jordan divided tribes, the blood of Christ breaks down the dividing wall (Ephesians 2:14).

Christ-Centered Conclusion

The altar of witness teaches us that God’s people must guard against two extremes: careless tolerance that ignores sin, and reckless suspicion that destroys fellowship. Unity is fragile and requires both vigilance and grace.

Today, the church often divides over misunderstandings, assumptions, and cultural barriers. The lesson from Joshua 22 calls us back to humility and covenant loyalty. We must build “altars of witness” that testify to our shared faith in Christ, not walls that fracture His body.

When the church remains united under Christ, the world sees the witness: “the LORD is God.” (Joshua 22:34).

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.