Joshua 22

The account contained in this chapter is quite interesting. Now that the main work of conquering the promised land was done, and the Israelite tribes had all received their inheritance, those who settled beyond the Jordan were sent home. That left them somewhat removed from the main community, and far from the tabernacle and altar where offerings to the Lord were given. Because of this they built an altar of their own, and a misunderstanding over that nearly brought on a civil war.

The main body of Israelites west of the Jordan saw it as an evil departure from God's instructions, and for once in their history were so zealous about the Lord and His commandments that they prepared to go to war against their own brethren to stop it. Thankfully they had some among them with level heads who sent an envoy first, and the true meaning of the altar was found out. The distant tribes had created it not to offer sacrifices upon, which would have been against the Lord's will, but as a reminder to themselves and the rest of the Israelites that they too were part of the God's people. Disaster averted :)