Reading for November 16th

 Read Joshua 22.10-34. In 22.10-34: The altar of witness. In verse 10: The story presupposes that only one altar for sacrifice is permissible. Dissension focuses on whether this altar by the Jordan is evidence of apostasy (vv. 16-20) or actually a token of loyalty (vv. 22-29). Its great size relates to its intended function as a visible witness (vv. 27-28, 34). In verse 12: The story is told from the perspective of the western tribes, describing them as the Israelites to the exclusion of the eastern tribes (also vv. 12, 33). In verse 17: the incident at Peor is reported in Num 25. In verse 18; The principle of collective responsibility means the whole nation is endangered by the rebellion of some (compare v. 20). In verse 19: Territory outside Canaan might be ritually unclean, a place where loyalty to the Lord would be impossible. In verse 22: The eastern tribes begin with a confessional exclamation (compare 1 Kings 18.39) and a hypothetical self-condemnation that asserts their fidelity in the strongest terms. In verse 27: The eastern tribes repeatedly cite lists of sacrifices (vv. 23, 26, 29) to deny that they intend to offer them at the newly built altar. In verse 28: The altar's purpose is finally revealed. It is only a copy, a replica pointing to loyal service at the legitimate altar at Shiloh. In verse 34: The altar's name does not appear in the Hebrew text. What is important is its function as a witness between us, that is, between the eastern and western tribes. Comments or Questions..