On their way home to their own territory, after fighting alongside their brothers, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar by the Jordan river. The rest of the tribes heard of this and were panic-stricken, since they assumed that the altar was one of idolatry. It turned out that this was a misunderstanding, but we should take note of the reaction to the initial news of this altar. What was it that startled them about this? This is yet another example of that communal way of thinking that we, in our individualistic culture, find so hard to grasp. The rest of Israel knew that if this altar was intended for idolatry, they would all suffer for this. They knew that the action of one within their community had repercussions for the whole. It is very important for us to keep reminding ourselves of our corporate responsibility, given our tendency to think individualistically. The decisions you make today, no matter how private, will have an effect far beyond yourself, more than you can imagine. You are a part of a community and your personal spiritual health affects the health of the whole for better or for worse. Let it be for the better.
Reflect on your own life in the light of this.
Read Joshua 22
