In Joshua 22; the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar by the Jordan River. This was right after the promised land had been divided up between the tribes of the Israelites and they were settling in the land. Readers could assume, like the Israelites did, that those tribes had forgotten the nation’s covenant with God, even after all that they had gone through in their journey through the desert. What the Israelite leaders found out when they inquired of this act was that it was not an act of rebellion or disobedience, but the altar was meant to be a reminder for the Israelites.
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were the only tribes given their inheritance in the promise land east of the Jordon. The altar was made, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices (which would be a violation of the law), but to remind current and future generations of their faith and who they were; people of God, despite their distance from the rest of the Israelites.
… we [Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh] said, ‘Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.’ On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings…
Joshua 22:26-27
In our lives, what are things that remind us of who we are and what we are called to as children of God? A few years back, we gifted “Blessed” signs and “Love God, Love Others” mats; physical reminders of what we have received and who we are called to be. We can also be reminded of who we are and what we believe in by reading the Bible, listening to worship, and by learning and knowing who God is. Without reminders, we can easily forget the important things for the demanding ones.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Even when we are surrounded by worldly things, how can we be reminded of who we are and who we are called to be? Are those things that can last and stand as reminders for the next generations?