Joshua 22 Three tribes. Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, were allowed to return  to the east side of the Jordan where they had been given their inheritance "according to the command of the Lord through Moses."  Joshua blessed them and gave them these instructions:

"And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as He spoke to them; therefore turn now and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan. Only be careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." 

The group returned to their land which was called "Gilead" .. the rocky place.. Before they crossed the Jordan they built a large "altar".  As soon as the news spread all the rest of the Israelites , they got ready to fight.. they thought the altar would cause God to bring judgement upon all of them! They assumed it was an affront to the altar before the Tabernacle...   However, that was not the intentions of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh... they simply wanted a monument to help the future generations remember that they were all a part of God's people. They called it "Witness".. a sign of unity.. a sign that they all served the same God... even though the river Jordan separated them from each other. 

This was acceptable to everyone and they all blessed God together. 

Rest is fleeting. Unity is fragile. Even after all that Israel had experience together.. all the the Lord had done for them and given them.. troubles would come.. people would fail to keep God's commandments. Joshua's words to the people are so important:

 Observe God's words. Love the Lord. Walk in His ways. Keep His commandments.. Hold fast to Him. Serve Him with all you have. 

Father in heaven, we need You to fill us with Your Word, by Your Spirit, that we might walk with Jesus in Your ways and for Your glory.  Help us to hold fast to You, for we are weak and easily distracted and weighed down by the things in this world. Let our eyes be fixed on that which is above.. on You, our Holy God and loving  Father; on Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior; and on the Spirit of God, who lives in us and brings us Your Word and Your Love. May Your will be done in each of us today as we seek to be one with You and with our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. We ask this in His Name. Amen.