What role does fear play in the actions described in Joshua 22:25? Setting the Scene “ ‘For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you—you Reubenites and Gadites. You have no portion in the LORD!’ So your descendants could cause ours to stop fearing the LORD.” (Joshua 22:25) The Fear That Motivated the Eastern Tribes • Fear of future exclusion—They worried that distance and geography would tempt the western tribes to say the eastern tribes “have no portion in the LORD.” • Fear of spiritual drift—If their children were barred from the central sanctuary, those children might “stop fearing the LORD,” losing covenant faith (cf. Deuteronomy 6:12–15). • Fear leading to pre-emptive action—To guard against both dangers, they built an imposing altar as a visible witness, not as a rival place of sacrifice (Joshua 22:26–27). Fear of Man Versus Fear of the LORD • Fear of man: The eastern tribes anticipated hostile words from future western Israelites. • Fear of the LORD: Their deeper motivation was reverent concern that their line would cease honoring God (Proverbs 1:7). • Right ordering—They allowed fear of God to outweigh fear of human opinion, prompting a solution designed to preserve faithful worship. Fear as a Catalyst for Covenant Preservation 1. Prompted clear testimony—The altar’s sheer size proclaimed allegiance to the same God worshiped at Shiloh. 2. Encouraged inter-tribal accountability—It stood as a perpetual reminder that all twelve tribes shared one covenant (Exodus 24:3–8). 3. Protected later generations—A tangible witness would silence any claim that the Jordan River invalidated eastern Israelites’ access to God. When Fear Is Misapplied • Misunderstanding escalated—The western tribes, fearing idolatry, nearly went to war (Joshua 22:11–12). • Dialogue resolved tension—Open explanation revealed both sides were driven by zeal for purity, not rebellion (Proverbs 15:1). • Fear without communication breeds conflict; fear expressed in truth preserves unity (Ephesians 4:25). Lessons for Modern Believers • Healthy fear guards faith—A reverent dread of losing fellowship with God pushes believers toward wise safeguards (Philippians 2:12). • Remember shared identity—Physical or cultural distance need not fracture unity when all stand on the same gospel foundation (Ephesians 4:4–6). • Communicate early—Clarifying intentions prevents suspicion and fosters peace among God’s people (Romans 12:18). |
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