Things aren’t always what they seem.

Joshua 22:1-2 22 Then Joshua called together the people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh. 2 He said to them, “You have done everything that Moses the Lord's servant ordered you to do, and you have obeyed all my commands.

Who was East Manasseh?

Why does Joshua only call on these 2 1/2 tribes and what was he talking about when he said, “You have done everything that Moses the Lord's servant ordered you to do?”

Numbers 32:1-7 32 The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a lot of livestock Numbers 32:1-7 32 The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a lot of livestock. When they saw how suitable the land of Jazer and Gilead was for cattle, 2 they went to Moses, Eleazar, and the other leaders of the community and said, 3-4 “This region which the Lord has helped the Israelites occupy…is good land for livestock, and we have so much livestock. 5 Please give us this land as our property, and do not make us cross the Jordan River and settle there.” 6 Moses replied, “Do you want to stay here while the other Israelites go to war? 7 How dare you try to discourage the people of Israel from crossing the Jordan into the land which the Lord has given them?...

Numbers 32:16-18, 20-22 16 They approached Moses and said, “First, allow us to build stone enclosures here for our sheep and fortified towns for our dependents. 17 Then we will be ready to go with the other Israelites into battle and lead the attack until we have settled them in the land that will be theirs. In the meantime, our dependents can live here in the fortified towns, safe from the people of this land. 18 We will not return to our homes until all the other Israelites have taken possession of the land assigned to them… 20 Moses answered, “If you really mean what you say, then here in the presence of the Lord get ready to go into battle. 21 All your fighting men are to cross the Jordan and under the command of the Lord they are to attack our enemies until the Lord defeats them 22 and takes possession of the land. After that, you may return, because you will have fulfilled your obligation to the Lord and to the other Israelites. Then the Lord will acknowledge that this land east of the Jordan is yours.

Joshua continues his commendation to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-of Manessa 3 All this time you have never once deserted the other Israelites. You have been careful to obey the commands of the Lord your God. 4 Now, as he promised, the Lord your God has given the other Israelites peace. So go back home to the land which you claimed for your own, the land on the east side of the Jordan, that Moses, the Lord's servant, gave you. 5 Make sure you obey the law that Moses commanded you: love the Lord your God, do his will, obey his commandments, be faithful to him, and serve him with all your heart and soul.” 

Joshua 22:5 5 Make sure you obey the law that Moses commanded you: love the Lord your God, do his will, obey his commandments, be faithful to him, and serve him with all your heart and soul.”

Joshua 22:10 10 When the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh arrived at Geliloth, still on the west side of the Jordan, they built a large, impressive altar there by the river.

BUT THEN: Joshua 22:11-12 11 The rest of the people of Israel were told, “Listen! The people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh have built an altar at Geliloth, on our side of the Jordan!” 12 When the people of Israel heard this, the whole community came together at Shiloh to go to war against the eastern tribes.

Deuteronomy 12:11 11 The Lord will choose a single place where he is to be worshiped, and there you must bring to him everything that I have commanded: your sacrifices that are to be burned and your other sacrifices, your tithes and your offerings, and those special gifts that you have promised to the Lord.

Joshua 22:16-18 (NIRV) 16 “We’re speaking for the Lord’s whole community. How could you disobey the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the Lord? How could you disobey him by building an altar for yourselves? 17 Don’t you remember how we sinned at Peor? The Lord struck us with a plague because of what we did. Up to this day we’re still suffering because of that sin. 18 Are you turning away from the Lord now?

Someone once said: “The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions!”

Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

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References Slow Down and Shut Up – Pat Cook Rash Judgement – Robert Rob Settled -- Lucien Coleman Pause Before You Act – Larry Wilson