The Message of Ed

By Boyce Mouton

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     The word "Ed" is a Hebrew word which means "witness," or "testimony." It is used in the Bible to refer to an altar constructed on the banks of the Jordan by the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 22:10, 34). Consider with me the origin of this altar and the meaning and message which it holds for today.

     The war of conquest for Canaan had come to a glorious conclusion and Joshua wisely disbanded his troops. The armies of Israel were now to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruninghooks. It is interesting to observe that the two-and-one-half tribes who were the first to be assigned their inheritance were the last to be discharged so they might enjoy it. The twenty-second chapter of Joshua describes the honorable discharge of these valiant men. They had been courageous and obedient in all that they were commanded to do. Now they returned to their tents with the blessing of Joshua and the spoils of war. As they departed, Joshua urged them to "take diligent heed to do the commandments of the law" and to strictly adhere to the doctrine of Jehovah.

     When the departing warriors came to the border of Jordan they paused to construct a gigantic altar. The implications of this act were frightening and appalling. Moses had specifically commanded the people of God to worship at one altar (Deut. 12:5-14). They were not to make burnt offerings in every place, but were to faithfully journey to the one place where the Lord had chosen to put his name. The suspicion of apostasy was intensified by the "pattern" of the altar. Exodus 20:25 forbade the use of tools in making stone altars. Since these altars were of unhewn materials they were usually just a "heap of stones" similar to the ones constructed by Jacob and his servants.

     But the altar named Ed had a definite pattern (Josh. 22:28). It was probably fashioned after the horned altar of the tabernacle. The children of Israel were well aware of the penalty for rebellion against Jehovah. The iniquity of Peor (Josh. 22:1:7; Num. 25:3,4) and the trespass of Achan (Josh. 22:20), were vivid to their memories. To tolerate such blasphemy would summon the wrath of heaven upon them. So they assembled at Shiloh to go to war against their brethren. There was "sin in the camp" and the nation was prepared to spill the blood of its own brethren to exterminate it.

     It is at this juncture we need to pay particular attention. You cannot always tell what a brother thinks simply because of something which he does. Therefore, before the nation was plunged into fratricide, ten representatives were sent to investigate the charge of heresy. Even though they were completely prejudiced against their brethren their efforts to avoid war were commendable. "If the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord's tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the Lord" (Joshua 22:19).

     The response of the accused brethren was both gracious and restrained. They reaffirmed their loyalty to Jehovah without impugning the motives of their brethren who viewed them with suspicion. The first words they used were "The Lord God of Gods," or "El, Elohim, and Jehovah," the three main designations for God used by the sons of Jacob. They then proceeded to explain that the altar they built was not for burnt offerings and sacrifices at all (verse 26). Their motives

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had been completely misunderstood. Instead of trying to revolt against God they were seeking to prevent such rebellion. They feared that in time to come their brethren on the west bank of Jordan would feel estranged from those on the east, so they built this altar to preserve their national unity and insure that their descendants would never cease from fearing the Lord.

     So the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed, "for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God." In addition to this, it is a monument which speaks volumes to brethren who disagree. It serves to temper our suspicions with restraint and encourage us to discussion and dialogue. It applies the brakes to factional warriors who would lay siege to the camps of brethren condemned "in absentia," for the "unscriptural" altar which they have erected. It makes us wonder how many religious wars could have been avoided by an attitude that suffered long, and was not easily provoked, and which "hopeth all things." This is the message of Ed.