Why was the altar in Joshua 22:10-34 such a big deal?

Joshua 22:10 - 34

ESV - ¹⁰ And when they came to the region of the Jordan that is in the land of Canaan, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, an altar of imposing size. ¹¹ And the people of Israel heard it said, "Behold, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built the altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel.

Clarify • Share • Report • Asked April 23 2014 • Anonymous (via GotQuestions)