Altar by the Jordan

Chapter 22, in the book of Joshua, is a rather interesting tale.  It is a tale about an altar.

Joshua told the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh that they could have the land east side of the Jordan River, and that they were to be rewarded for their loyalty to the Israelites and to the Lord.  They were given many riches, and sent on their way.

Just before entering their new lands, they built a great altar.  This act angered many of the other tribes because they thought the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh were rebelling against the Lord.  When confronted, they told them the altar was a reminder for generations to come that their people do indeed worship the Lord.  It was to be a symbol of their great faith.

The Lord was pleased.

And so was the rest of the tribes.

The lessons on this could be such that if you see someone performing an act you don't feel is right, instead of downright calling them back, talk to them.  The reasons could be completely different than what was originally thought.  So many times in our lives we take things for granted and assume--well, you know what they mean about assuming (or, rather, ass-u-ming).