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passed over before the Lord unto battle； to the plains of Jericho。〃 Joshua
4：12； 13。 For years they had fought bravely by the side of their brethren。
Now the time had come for them to get unto the land of their possession。 As
they had united with their brethren in the conflicts； so they had shared the
spoils； and they returned 〃with much riches 。 。 。 and with very much cattle；
with silver； and with gold； and with brass； and with iron； and with very
much raiment；〃 all of which they were to share with those who had remained
with the families and flocks。
They were now to dwell at a distance from the sanctuary of the Lord； and it
was with an anxious heart that Joshua witnessed their departure； knowing how
strong would be the temptations； in their isolated and wandering life； to
fall into the customs of the heathen tribes that dwelt upon their borders。
While the minds of Joshua and other leaders were still oppressed with
anxious forebodings； strange tidings reached them。 Beside the Jordan； near
the place of Israel's miraculous passage of the river； the two and a half
tribes had erected a great altar； similar to the altar of burnt offering at
Shiloh。 The law of God prohibited； on pain of death； the establishment of
another worship than that at the sanctuary。 If such was the object of this
altar； it would； if permitted to remain； lead the people away from the true
faith。
The representatives of the people assembled at Shiloh； and in the heat of
their excitement and indignation proposed to make war at once upon the
offenders。 Through the influence of the more cautious； however； it was
decided to send first a delegation to obtain from the two and a half tribes
an explanation of their conduct。 Ten princes； one from each tribe； were
chosen。 At their head was Phinehas； who had distinguished himself by his
zeal in the matter of Peor。
The two and a half tribes had been at fault in entering； without
explanation； upon an act open to such grave suspicions。 The ambassadors；
taking it for granted that their brethren were guilty； met them with sharp
rebuke。 They accused them of rebelling against the Lord； and bade them
remember how judgments had been visited upon Israel for joining themselves
to Baalpeor。 In behalf of all Israel； Phinehas stated to the children
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of Gad and Reuben that if they were unwilling to abide in that land without
an altar for sacrifice； they would be welcome to a share in the possessions
and privileges of their brethren on the other side。
In reply the accused explained that their altar was not intended for
sacrifice； but simply as a witness that； although separated by the river；
they were of the same faith as their brethren in Canaan。 They had feared
that in future years their children might be excluded from the tabernacle；
as having no part in Israel。 Then this altar； erected after the pattern of
the altar of the Lord at Shiloh； would be a witness that its builders were
also worshipers of the living God。
With great joy the ambassadors accepted this explanation； and immediately
carried back the tidings to those who sent them。 All thoughts of war were
dismissed； and the people united in rejoicing； and praise to God。
The children of Gad and Reuben now placed upon their altar an inscription
pointing out the purpose for which it was erected； and they said； 〃It shall
be a witness between us that Jehovah is God。〃 Thus they endeavored to
prevent future misapprehension and to remove what might be a cause of
temptation。
How often serious difficulties arise from a simple misunderstanding； even
among those who are actuated by the worthiest motives； and without the
exercise of courtesy and forbearance； what serious and even fatal results
may follow。 The ten tribes remembered how； in Achan's case； God had rebuked
the lack of vigilance to discover the sins existing among them。 Now they
resolved to act promptly and earnestly； but in seeking to shun their first
error； they had gone to the opposite extreme。 Instead of making courteous
inquiry to learn the facts in the case； they had met their brethren with
censure and condemnation。 Had the men of Gad and Reuben retorted in the same
spirit； war would have been the result。 While it is important on the one
hand that laxness in dealing with sin be avoided； it is equally important on
the other to shun harsh judgment and groundless suspicion。
While very sensitive to the least blame in regard to their own course； many
are too severe in dealing with those whom they suppose to be in error。 No
one was ever reclaimed from a wrong position by censure and reproach； but
many are thus driven further from the right path and led to harden their
hearts against
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conviction。 A spirit of kindness； a courteous； forbearing deportment may
save the erring and hide a multitude of sins。
The wisdom displayed by the Reubenites and their companions is worthy of
imitation。 While honestly seeking to promote the cause of true religion；
they were misjudged and severely censured； yet they manifested no
resentment。 They listened with courtesy and patience to the charges of their
brethren before attempting to make their defense； and then fully explained
their motives and showed their innocence。 Thus the difficulty which had
threatened such serious consequences was amicably settled。
Even under false accusation those who are in the right can afford to be calm
and considerate。 God is acquainted with all that is misunderstood and
misinterpreted by men； and we can safely leave our case in His hands。 He
will as surely vindicate the cause of those who put their trust in Him as He
searched out the guilt of Achan。 Those who are actuated by the spirit of
Christ will possess that charity which suffers long and is kind。
It is the will of God that union and brotherly love should exist among His
people。 The prayer of Christ just before His crucifixion was that His
disciples might be one as He is one with the Father； that the world might
believe that God had sent Him。 This most touching and wonderful prayer
reaches down the ages； even to our day； for His words were； 〃Neither pray I
for these alone； but for them also which shall believe on Me through their
word。〃 John 17：20。 While we are not to sacrifice one principle of truth； it
should be our constant aim to reach this state of unity。 This is the
evidence of our discipleship。 Said Jesus； 〃By this shall all men know that
ye are My disciples； if ye have love one to another。〃 John 13：35。 The
apostle Peter exhorts the church； 〃Be ye all of one mind； having compassion
one of another； love as brethren； be pitiful； be courteous： not rendering
evil for evil； or railing for railing： but contrariwise blessing； knowing
that ye are thereunto called； that ye should inherit a blessing。〃 1 Peter
3：8； 9。
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Chapter 49
The Last Words of Joshua
The wars and conquest ended； Joshua had withdrawn to the peaceful retirement
of his home at Timnath…serah。 〃And it