v1: Joshua called together the two tribes and the half tribe, to speak with them before they returned to cross the Jordan.

v2-4: Joshua commended them, for fulfilling the promises they had made (see 1.16-18).

v5: The clear command was that they should love and serve the Lord God. Joshua was doubtless aware of the seeds of rebellion that were already there. The commands of obedience to God were for all the tribes of Israel.

v8: The people returning had gained great wealth in the battles they had fought, as Israel had defeated the cities of Canaan.

v9: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned to their inheritance;

• they departed from the Israelites;
• they were satisfied with something other than God's best for them; the land of Canaan, God's promised land.

v10: They built an altar, "an imposing altar", near the Jordan river. There may have been an innocent intention here, but the lack of spiritual wisdom brought division amongst the people, as the bulk of Israel gathered to fight (v12).

v13 Phinehas, son of Eleazar the priest, was sent to resolve the situation.

v16-20: The accusation was one of treachery, as the 2½ tribes had built their own altar, allegedly to worship God apart from the rest of Israel. The effects of the previous rebellion had stayed with them (v17; Num 25.7-8). Rebellion by some would bring judgment upon all (v18).

Phinehas' offer was that the 2½ tribes join the rest in Canaan, if they thought that their land was defiled (v19). Again, the sin of Achan (v20), which was committed in Canaan, had brought judgment upon the whole congregation. They shared responsibility to deal with all sins.

v21-25: The two and a half tribes quickly explained their innocence, that their conscience was clear before God, and that God knew their motives in building the altar (v22). They had not built the altar to offer sacrifices on it (v23).

The actual reason for the altar, that one day, those in Canaan might condemn those living beyond the Jordan, as not being part of the Lord's people. This is close to an admission of fault; they admit to giving the impression of rebellion against God, and causing division amongst the people.

v26-27: The altar was to be a witness between the two groups, "us and you", that both groups loved God, and would worship together at His altar. This is still an admission of division, caused by those unwilling to live in the land. Full obedience to God would have avoided this problem.

However good and sincere the intentions of some, later generations can and will misunderstand. Things that were originally good can become abused; such as the bronze serpent, and Gideon's ephod, which both became symbols of idolatry.

v28: The altar was a replica of the altar in the wilderness, but, they insisted, was purely a witness to them.

v29: Their intention was not to depart from the Lord. They would continue to worship God in the way, and at the place laid down.

v30-31: Phinehas was satisfied with the answer, but clearly the situation was not ideal. Had the offer of v19 been accepted, there would have been no need for the altar, and no fear of one party looking down on the other.