God had given instructions and commandments for the guidance of His people, and any departure from those commandments, particularly in regard to the erection of altars to false gods, would be nothing short of rebellion against the God of heaven. God is the same today as yesterday (Heb. 13:8), inasmuch as the principles of right never change. Though the punishment for departure from God’s laws may be deferred, every transgression will ultimately receive its just recompense of reward.

 That is, ceremonially unclean, because the tabernacle was not in the land of these tribes. An opinion was generally prevalent among the ancients that those countries in which there was no place set apart for the worship of God were unhallowed and unclean. If the two and a half tribes entertained such an idea, then it were better by far to abandon the land and dwell with the other tribes in the possession of the Lord. This indicated a very generous and unselfish spirit, a willingness to make sacrifices in order to preserve purity, and consequently peace. In other words, Phinehas and his companions were both willing and anxious to make first things first. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). It shows that the western tribes did not contemplate war as an absolute necessity, even if their brethren had sinned, but only if they should prove obdurate.