Book of Joshua - Chapter 22 - Verse 23

Within this verse, it is evident that the act of building an altar to turn away from following the Lord and offering sacrifices upon it is viewed as a grave offense. In ancient times, altars were seen as sacred places where individuals would come to worship and offer sacrifices to God. The act of building an altar specifically to turn away from the Lord and make offerings thereon is considered a direct act of rebellion against Him. The verse emphasizes that the Lord Himself will require justice for this dishonorable behavior. It serves as a warning to those who may be tempted to stray from their faith and engage in practices that go against the will of God. This verse underscores the importance of staying faithful and obedient to the Lord, as He is just and will hold individuals accountable for their actions.

When looking at the theological interpretation of this verse from Joshua 22:23, it is important to note that in the context of the Old Testament, altars were places of sacrifice and worship. Building an altar was seen as a central act of religious devotion. However, in this particular case, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were being accused by the other tribes of Israel of building an altar as a way to turn away from following the Lord. The concern was that this altar might be used for offerings that were not in line with God's commands, potentially leading to idolatry. The mention of burnt offerings, meat offerings, and peace offerings emphasizes the seriousness of the situation, as these were all types of sacrifices that were meant to be offered to God according to specific instructions. The statement "let the LORD himself require it" underscores the idea that ultimately God alone is the one who can judge the intentions behind the building of the altar and the offerings made on it.