Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

(Joshua 4:12, 13). For years they fought bravely by the side of their
brethren. As they had united with them in the battles, they also
shared the spoils. They returned "with much riches ..., with very
much livestock, with silver, with gold, with bronze, with iron, and
with very much clothing"--all of which they were to share with
those who had remained with the families and flocks.
With a burdened heart Joshua watched them leave, knowing
how strong the temptations would be in their isolated and wandering
life to fall into the customs of the heathen tribes that lived on their
borders.
While Joshua and other leaders were still troubled with anxious
worries, strange news reached them. Beside the Jordan, the two and
a half tribes had erected a great altar similar to the altar of burnt
offering at Shiloh. On pain of death, the law of God prohibited the
establishment of any other worship than the one at the sanctuary--
because it would lead the people away from the true faith.
It was decided to send a delegation to get an explanation of
their conduct from the two and a half tribes. Ten princes were
chosen, one from each tribe. Their leader was Phinehas, who had
distinguished himself by his zeal in the situation at Peor.
Taking it for granted that their brethren were guilty, the
ambassadors met them with sharp words. They told them to
remember how judgments had come on Israel for joining themselves
to Baal Peor. Phinehas told the Gadites and Reubenites that if they
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