An Altar Crisis on the Eastern Side of the Jordan River: Joshua closes with three chapters that form an addendum pointing out challenges for the next generation. These chapters include speeches that address concerns of Deuteronomy and use Deuteronomic language. Crises in these passages point toward the book of Judges and the rest of the so-called Deuteronomic History (Samuel and Kings). The closing chapters of Joshua parallel the final chapters of Deuteronomy with its farewell speech of Moses and story of his burial.

The final chapters address questions mentioned earlier in the book and also ask the questions for consideration of future generations. God has given land to tribes through battle and inheritance; can the tribes keep the land? Will future generations sustain their unity and fait…