1 . To prevent apostasy from God —
[This was the real object of the persons who raised the altar : they, in a most reverential and solemn manner, called God to witness that they had been actuated only by a desire to transmit to their posterity an indelible assurance, that they were as truly the Lord's people, as those who dwelt in Canaan ; and that though their land was separated from that of their brethren, their interests and privileges were the same.
Here was a noble example of regard for posterity. It might have been better indeed to have consulted Joshua, or rather to have taken counsel of the Lord, respecting this measure, before they had carried it into execution : but holy zeal does not always pause to consider all possible effects and conse- quences ; (though doubtless, the more tempered it is with wisdom, the more excellent it appears:) but God does not blame their conduct : and in this at least we shall do well to follow it, namely, by exerting ourselves in every possible way to transmit, and to perpetuate even to the remotest ages, the knowledge of God, as our God, our Father, and Redeemer.
The other tribes also manifested a noble zeal in the same cause, though by different means. They were fearful that this altar would be the means of turning many of their brethren from the worship of the true God ; and they went forth at the peril of their lives to prevent it. It may be said, that these two were less temperate than they should have been : but, convinced as they were in their own judgment, their zeal was not at all more ardent than the occasion required. Though they spoke roughly, they spoke with candour, and with a per- fect openness to conviction, if any thing could be said to justify the act. And their offer to surrender a part of their own pos- sessions, in order to remove the temptation to which, in their own minds, they had ascribed the act, shewed, that they were actuated solely by a regard for God's honour and for Israel's good.
Here then is proper scope for all our zeal. We should re- move, as far as possible, both from ourselves and from our children, every temptation to apostasy from God. We should rebuke sin in others also, and set ourselves against it to the uttermost. We should shew ourselves on all occasions on the Lord's side ; and be willing to sacrifice, not only our property, but even life itself, in vindicating his honour, and maintaining his interest in the world.]
2. To preserve love and unity with man —
[If we find somewhat to blame in each of these opposite parties ; in the one, an undue precipitation in building the altar ; and, in the other, an undue hastiness in ascribing it to wrong intentions ; we behold much, very much, to admire in