The two and a half tribes vehemently repudiate the charge of rebellion, and deny that

there had been any intention of using the altar for sacrificial purposes; it had been built

in order that their children in days to come should realize that they still had part with the

tribes across Jordan.

This explanation satisfies Phinehas and he says:

How are we to regard this question of the building of the altar? The Law of Moses

most certainly forbad the offering of sacrifice anywhere else but at the door of the

tabernacle (Lev. 17: 8, 9).  Were the two and a half tribes justified in partly

transgressing this commandment? With the fact of the history of Israel before us, and the

knowledge of how easily they lapsed into idolatry, we cannot but feel that the erection of

this altar was a sad mistake, and that no policy can justify departure from any

commandment of the Lord. The Companion Bible expresses no opinion on the question.

Some commentators are very much in its favour, others strongly condemn. It is difficult,

perhaps, to avoid the charge of being uncharitable, but we cannot help feeling that,

however good the intentions of the builders might have been, the whole action was a

mistake. Anything in the nature of putting out one's hand to stay the ark of God,

however, well intentioned, is wrong. The whole trouble seems to have been the natural

fruit of their initial act of self-will. In Num. 32: 1 there are arguments that remind us

strongly of Lot's fatal choice, and Moses denounces their choice as but a repetition of the

false action of the ten spies (Num. 32: 14). It is true that an agreement was made with

these tribes, and that the land of their choice was granted to them; nevertheless, we have

learned both from experience and from the Scriptures that self-willed choice, even if it is

permitted, generally ends in disaster. In all this history there is much that reminds us of

those in Phil. 3:, who minded earthly things, instead of being willing to forego all

inheritance until over Jordan and in the land of promise.

The Book of Joshua concludes with an address by Joshua to all the people, in which

he warns them of the results of departure from the Lord, and encourages them to adhere

closely to all that had been written in the law. The passage ends with a solemn covenant

on the part of the people, and the setting up of a great stone as a witness.

At the age of one hundred and ten years Joshua dies and is buried in the border of his

inheritance. The bones of Joseph are buried in Shechem; and Eleazar the Priest is buried

in mount Ephraim.