That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it;
If we built this altar to turn away from following the LORD, or to offer burnt offerings, grain offerings, or peace offerings on it, let the LORD himself hold us accountable and punish us.
The tribes are declaring their innocence, saying if they built the altar for wrong reasons, they're willing to face God's judgment.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Joshua, after the Israelites had conquered the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh returned to their lands east of the Jordan River. They built a large altar as a memorial to signify their commitment to worship the Lord alongside the other tribes, not for offering sacrifices. This led to a misunderstanding among the western tribes, who feared it might be an act of rebellion against God's commands, prompting a potential conflict.
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