Josué 13
F.B. Meyer · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 13
Meyer - How significant the sentence, "There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed"! This is true of tracts of the Bible, seldom explored by ordinary Christians; of regions of experience, such as deliverance from the power of sin and dying with Christ; and of countries of the world, never yet trodden by the feet of the ambassadors of peace. Henry
Josué 13
Meyer - Joshua 13:1 There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. This is true in many directions:— Of the Bible. — How many pages of our Bibles are unpossessed! We have not underlined any verses in them, or put any marks in the margin to indicate that God has spoken through them to our souls. They are as clean as when they came from the printers. It is well sometimes to consider this, and to resolve to master some unfamiliar portions of God’s Word, believing that no word of God is devoid of power. To many believers the Bible, which God intended for their possession, is yet an unexplored continent. Of Doctrinal Truth. — Doctrine groups texts, and compares them. Doctrine is to isolated texts what natural laws are to particular facts. We should know the doctrines of the Bible. We should understand what is meant by Predestination; the unction of the Holy Ghost; and the Second Advent. How much unoccupied land there is here, which, if brought under cultivation, would yield grapes, and corn, and other produce for the refreshment and strength of the soul l Of Spiritual Experience. — Talk with some deeply-taught saint, and you will see how little you have traversed of the good land beyond the Jordan, or know of its blessed extent. To know the length, and breadth, and depth, and height, of the love of Christ seems given to but few; but it need not be. There is no favoritism in the Kingdom which excludes some poor souls from the richer portions, and shuts them up to barrenness and a northern aspect. Rise, go through the land in the length and breadth of it; it is all yours; the gift of God in Jesus Christ; claim and possess it. L E Maxwell applies Joshua 13:1 to missions writing (excerpt) O fellow believer: “There remains very much land yet to be possessed” (Joshua 13:1). Let us lift up our eyes and behold the fields white unto harvest. We have dwelt at length upon the great stretches of territory untaken in our own lives. But we would fall woefully short of God’s program and purpose in this chapter if we did not give our thought to the vast unoccupied fields in all the world. Oh, to get over the “civil war” that we may go into all the world and win for the Lamb the reward of His sufferings! The great Shepherd of the “other sheep” who commanded us, “Occupy till I come” must be in agony over those other sheep concerning whom He Himself said, “Them also I must bring.” There is perhaps no single point upon which the church of Jesus Christ is so utterly disobedient to the command of her crucified Lord as upon the subject of “missions.” The Canaanites of covetousness and laziness—the sins of omission are greater often than the sins of commission—have killed the forward march of the church. The church as a whole is “living after the flesh”—and dying, going into atrophy and death. From Dr. Glover’s Progress of Worldwide Missions we would quote the following by a well-known missionary leader, the Rev. Charles R. Watson, President of the American University at Cairo: The occupation of all the unoccupied fields is the distinctive and crowning challenge of this missionary age. Upon the church’s acceptance of that challenge great issues seem to depend: issues affecting the vitality of the Christian Church, issues determining the welfare and happiness of millions of our fellow creatures, issues conditioning the lives of nations, issues upon which God Himself has been pleased to hang the unfolding of His eternal purposes in Christ. The unoccupied fields must be occupied, and what is the price of their occupation? The pathway which leads to their occupation lies across other unoccupied fields—great areas these—in our own lives and hearts, not yet surrendered to the will of Christ, not yet fully occupied by His Spirit, not yet touched by the flame of a perfect love and consecration. Only as He is permitted to fully occupy these nearer areas in our own lives will He be able to gain entrance into those more distant fields of the unoccupied world. Born Crucified - Chapter 11 - The Cross and Dying to the Old Nature The Allotment of the Twelve Tribes" The Division of the Land Among the Tribes The Tribal Allotments of Israel Chart of the tribes of Israel/Jacob By mother By Jacob’s blessing By Moses’ blessing By Joshua Casting Lots Reuben by Leah Gen. 29:32 Gen. 49:3–4 Deut. 33:6 Josh. 13:15–23 Simeon by Leah Gen. 29:33 Gen. 49:5–7 ----- Josh. 19:1–9 Levi by Leah Gen. 29:34 Gen. 49:5–7 Deut. 33:8–11 ----- Judah by Leah Gen. 29:35 Gen. 49:8–12 Deut. 33:8–11 Josh. 14:6–15:63 Dan by Bilhah Gen. 30:6 Gen. 49:16–18 Deut. 33:22 Josh. 19:40–48 Naphtali by Bilhah Gen. 30:8 Gen. 49:21 Deut. 33:23 Josh. 19:37–39 Gad by Zilpah Gen. 30:11 Gen. 49:19 Deut. 33:20–21 Josh. 13:24–28 Asher by Zilpah Gen. 49:20 Deut. 33:24–25 Josh. 19:24–31 Issachar by Leah Gen. 30:18 Gen. 49:14–15 Deut. 33:18–19 Josh. 19:17–23 Zebulun by Leah Gen. 30:20 Gen. 49:13 Deut. 33:18–19 Josh. 19:10–16 Joseph by Rachel Gen. 30:24 Gen. 49:22–26 Deut. 33:13–17 Manasseh—Josh. 13:29–31; 17:1–13 Ephraim—Josh. 16:4–10 Benjamin by Rachel Gen. 35:18 Gen. 49:27 Deut. 33:12 Josh. 18:11–28 Joshua 13:2 "This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and all those of the Geshurites; the land: Ex 23:29-31 De 11:23,24 Jdg 3:1 all the regions: Ge 10:14 26:1 Joe 3:4 Geshurites: Jos 13:11,13 12:5 1Sa 27:8 2Sa 3:3 13:37,38 15:8 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe THE LAND THAT REMAINS - Carta Bible Atlas, page 63 THE LAND REMAINING TO BE POSSESSED/CONQUERED This is the land that remains - The regions not yet possessed (occupied) were areas primarily on the fringes of the promised land, beginning first with a description of the areas in South and then toward the north (Josh 13:5 - Lebo-hamath, is the most northern location in this description.) However, note in the map above (THE LAND THAT REMAINS), the unconquered territory in the coastal region which was occupied by the Philistines who would prove to be a GIANT THORN in Israel's side ( Why were the Philistines and the Israelites always at war?). While not shown on the map, the strategic city of Jebus (later Jerusalem) was not conquered and the Jebusites remained as a "thorn" (Joshua 15:63+). Finally, the area of Geshur was not conquered. Since God's promise had been given to Israel that they would occupy all the land (Ge 17:8), the failure to conquer and cast out all of the Canaanites was not so much that they "COULD NOT," but that they "WOULD NOT!" THOUGHT - Beloved follower of Christ, what about your "promised land (life)"? Are you experiencing all the "land (life)" that God has promised you in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph 1:3+, cf Col 3:4+)? What "Canaanites" (so to speak) in the "land of your heart" have yet to be conquered and cast out -- lust, anger, greed, jealousy, unforgiveness, envy, slander, drunkenness, etc (cf Gal 5:19-21+)? Whatever the "Canaanite" that is remaining in the "land of your heart," the reason you have yet to conquer it is not because you "CAN NOT" but because you "WILL NOT!" Why do I say "WILL NOT?" Because of passages like 2 Peter 1:3-4+ "seeing that His divine power (dunamis - think "dynamo, dynamite") has granted (perfect tense = given in the past and continuing into the present and future) to us everything (HOW MUCH?) pertaining to life and godliness, (DON'T MISS THE CRITICAL CONJUNCTION DESCRIBING THE MEANS OF PERTAINING EVERYTHING - IT IS) through the true knowledge (epignosis) of Him (THE BETTER WE KNOW HIM, THE BETTER WE CAN PARTAKE OF HIS PROVISIONS FOR LIFE AND GODLINESS - cf Dt 8:3+, Mt 4:4+, Dt 32:46,47+) Who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted (perfect tense) to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that (WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HIS PROMISES?) by them you may become partakers of the divine nature (THIS IS ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST - Jn 10:10b), having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust (cf 1Jn 2:17+). That said, we will always have the fallen flesh to contend with all the days of our life. However, enabled by God's Word of promise and provision of power through His indwelling Spirit, we can march through "the land of our heart" and conquer those individual "Canaanite tribes" (so to speak) one by one. But remember that although they may be defeated, unfortunately they are still "alive" and can still launch "surprise attacks" on the citadel of our heart when we least expect it (cf 1Pe 1:13+, 1Pe 2:11b+, Ro 6:11, 12, 13, 14+, Ro 13:11, 12, 13, 14+). But over time, as we avail ourselves of God's power and provision to put to death the sinful deeds of the flesh by the Spirit (Col 3:5NLT+, Ro 8:13b+), those individual "Canaanites" that were once powerful enemies, will gradually decrease in power as we continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2Pe 3:18+, that is as we progress in sanctification; see also Expulsive Power of a New Affection). And praise God that one day the "Canaanites" will be finally and fully be cast out of our heart, in that glorious moment when we see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face (1Cor 15:52+, 1Jn 3:2+, Phil 3:20-21+). Until that wonderful day we must chose daily to die to self (Mk 8:34, 35, 36+) by God's Spirit and enabled by the same Spirit (Php 2:13NLT+) to obey the command of the Captain of the host of the Lord (Joshua 5:13, 14, 15+ continued in Joshua 6:2+) to continually "agonize" and "Fight (agonizomai present imperative) the good fight of faith." (1Ti 6:12+) for the glory of the Lamb and the growth of the Kingdom of our God and Father. Amen.
Josué 13
Meyer - Joshua 13:7-33 A recapitulation of what Moses had allotted, m There is a great sadness in the words, which so often recur in these chapters and in the Book of Judges, "Nevertheless the children of Israel drove not out..." It is all the more terrible, when we remember the reiterated promise of God that He would settle His people. They either did not believe that God meant what He said, or did not arouse themselves from their indolent apathy to claim and use His help. We must first comprehend so far as we may what we have in Christ, and then proceed to apprehend it by faith. Related Resources: Maps The Division of the Land Among the Tribes The Tribal Allotments of Israel Inheritance (gift, heritage) (05159) nachalah from nāḥal = signifies giving or receiving property which is part of a permanent possession and as a result of succession) means Inheritance, heritage, possession. A possession is any piece of property that passes by law to an heir on the death of the owner. It also speaks of God's promises to His people, such as the promise of the land to national (redeemed remnant) Israel. Land in Israelite society was understood as the possession of Yahweh, Who led the people into the land and conquered the territory for them. This land was then divided among the estates of the people of the day. This redistribution was understood to be permanent (Lev. 25:23). Thus, land could not permanently change hands (which explains the function of the Day of Jubilee, which insured that all land would return to those who had original access to the land). The point of this permanent division was to prevent the formation of large estates, which would necessarily create a subordinate landless peasantry. This same system reached the zenith early in the history of Babylon, its death witnessed by a genre of inscriptions known as kudurrus. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Joshua 13:7-33. The land must be divided among the tribes. It is the will of God that every man should know his own, and not take that which is another's. The world must be governed, not by force, but right. Wherever our habitation is placed, and in whatever honest way our portion is assigned, we should consider them as allotted of God; we should be thankful for, and use them as such, while every prudent method should be used to prevent disputes about property, both at present and in future. Joshua must be herein a type of Christ, who has not only conquered the gates of hell for us, but has opened to us the gates of heaven, and having purchased the eternal inheritance for all believers, will put them in possession of it. Here is a general description of the country given to the two tribes and a half, by Moses. Israel must know their own, and keep to it; and may not, under pretence of their being God's peculiar people, encroach on their neighbours. Twice in this chapter it is noticed, that to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance: see Numbers 18:20. Their maintenance must be brought out of all the tribes. The ministers of the Lord should show themselves indifferent about worldly interests, and the people should take care they want nothing suitable. And happy are those who have the Lord God of Israel for their inheritance, though little of this world falls to their lot. His providences will supply their wants, his consolations will support their souls, till they gain heavenly joy and everlasting pleasures. Joshua 13:8 With the other half-tribe, the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance which Moses gave them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the LORD gave to them; Moses gave: Jos 4:12 Jos 22:4 Nu 32:33-42 De 3:12-17 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe Related Passages: Joshua 22:1-4+ Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 2 and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you. 3 “You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. 4 “And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as He spoke to them; therefore turn now and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan. INHERITANCE OF THE TWO AND ONE-HALF TRIBES In the remainder of this chapter we see first, the entire territory occupied by the two and a half tribes (Joshua 13:8–13) followed by a description of the allotment to each of the individual tribes - Reuben (Joshua 13:15–23); Gad (Joshua 13:24–28); and half the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:29–31), a summary statement in Joshua 13:32 and lastly the incredible "allotment" to Levi (Joshua 13:33). With the other half-tribe (of Manasseh), the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance which Moses gave them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the LORD gave to them - Moses had led the Israelite army in the defeat of kings of Sihon and Og, but this would be his last battle. Madvig makes an interesting point - “The Transjordanian tribes receive a disproportionate amount of attention in this book that records the Conquest and division of the land west of the Jordan (cf. Joshua 1:12–15; 4:12; 12:1–6; 13:8–33; 22:1–34). The author was eager to uphold the unity of the Twelve Tribes in spite of the geographic separation and an undercurrent of feeling that only the land west of the Jordan was truly the Promised Land.” (The Expositor's Bible Commentary ) GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 13 ith whom. Heb. עמו immo, with him, i. e. with the other half-tribe of Manasseh, who were to have no part in Canaan proper, as their inheritance had already fallen to them, on the other side of Jordan. The relative is put for an antecedent, which is to be supplied from the general tenor of the narrative, as in Num. 7:89; Ps. 114:2; Is. 8:21; Jer. 1:3. The speaker here and henceforward is not God, whose words terminate with v. 7, but the historian, who takes occasion to rehearse the allotment made by Moses to the two tribes and a half on the other side Jordan, in order that the reader might understand the reason why nothing is said of them in the distribution now to be made by Joshua, but the whole land on this side the river is ordered to be given to the nine tribes and a half. The other two and a half had been already provided for; and the restatement of the fact here, in the formal record of the division of the land, would serve to ratify, in the strongest manner, the grant formerly made by Moses. As he had settled the affair, so Joshua would leave it. He would not alter what Moses had done, and the reason why he would not, is intimated in the fact that Moses was ‘the servant of the Lord,’ faithful in all his house, and acting in this matter by a secret direction from him. QUESTION - Why did Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh want to live on the east of the Jordan? ANSWER - The Israelites were poised to enter Canaan. Before they crossed the Jordan River and moved west, God spoke to Joshua some words of encouragement. Included was a promise of even more land later (Joshua 1:4). For the time being, though, the land they would inherit would be west of the Jordan (Joshua 1:2). Yet, even before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already staked out their claim—they chose to settle east of the Jordan. Numbers 32:1 reveals one reason why these tribes wanted the land east of the Jordan: “The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock.” The land east of the Jordan River was seen as a prime area for raising livestock. At first, Moses was opposed to the idea of some tribes staying east of the Jordan. He thought these tribes were attempting to avoid helping their fellow Israelites in the military campaign to subdue and settle Canaan. However, these tribes responded with a pledge to help: “We would like to build pens here for our livestock and cities for our women and children. But we will arm ourselves for battle and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place” (Numbers 32:16–17). These tribes kept their promise and helped their brothers in the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 22:1–4). Upon receiving the tribes’ pledge, Moses accepted their request to settle the land east of the Jordan. Numbers 32 concludes with a description of the land meted out: “Moses gave to the Gadites, the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the whole land with its cities and the territory around them” (Numbers 32:33). Sihon and Og, whose kingdoms were east of Jordan, had been defeated earlier, and their land was assigned to the two and a half tribes. In his final blessing on the tribes of Israel, Moses gave this blessing to Gad, one of the tribes that settled east of the Jordan: “He chose the best land for himself; the leader’s portion was kept for him. When the heads of the people assembled, he carried out the LORD’s righteous will, and his judgments concerning Israel” (Deuteronomy 33:21). The land east of the Jordan was a choice area and a blessing to those who lived in it. Moses’ blessing also included positive words concerning Joseph, the father of Ephraim and Manasseh. The words apply to the lands where both tribes of these brothers would settle, including the land east of the Jordan. In Deuteronomy 33:13–16 we find, “May the Lord bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below; with the best the sun brings forth and the finest the moon can yield; with the choicest gifts of the ancient mountains and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills; with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush.” There was a strategic reason for Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh to request the land east of the Jordan, and the Lord blessed them in their inheritance. Thus, God’s blessing extended even beyond the Jordan River.GotQuestions.org Joshua 13:9 from Aroer, which is on the edge (lip) of the valley of the Arnon, with the city which is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba, as far as Dibon; Aroer,: Jos 13:16 12:2 De 3:12,16 all the plain of Medeba: Nu 21:30 Isa 15:2 Jer 48:18,22 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe DESCRIPTION OF LAND GIVEN TO REUBEN Beginning in this next section we get an overview of all of the land before we get the specifics of the inheritance. Reuben's allotment is the furthest south, Gad's is in the middle and half-tribe of Manasseh is in the north. from Aroer, which is on the edge (lip) of the valley of the Arnon, with the city which is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba, as far as Dibon. Joshua reports here that Moses gave Dibon to the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:9 ,Joshua 13:17). The Arnon Gorge (valley of the Arnon) is the southern boundary of Reuben's territory on the east side of the Jordan river. Blaikie notes that Reuben's "southern and eastern flanks were covered by the Moabites, who greatly annoyed him. "Unstable as water, he did not excel." GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 13 The city that is in the midst of the river. For the true meaning of the expression, ‘in the midst of the river,’ see Note on ch. 12:2. Judging from the reports of travellers, we see no reason to believe that such an inconsiderable stream as Arnon, a mere rivulet, contained an island large enough for the site of a city. These verses, from v. 9 to 14, comprise a general description of the whole country given to the two tribes and a half. The remainder of the chapter is occupied with a detailed account of the several districts allotted to each. Here, in v. 9, taking ‘city’ and ‘river,’ according to the common Heb idiom, as the collect, sing, for the plur., we conceive the writer’s drift is to say, ‘that beginning at Aroer, Moses gave to the two tribes and a half all the cities lying between the several rivers mentioned ch. 12:1, 2, together with all the plain or champagne country of Medeba, even to Dibon. These, in the next verse, are called the cities of Sihon, because they lay within his territories. Joshua 13:10 and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the sons of Ammon; Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe DESCRIPTION OF LAND GIVEN TO GAD While this passage is not as clear as the preceding and following passages, it does appear to be describing the middle region between the land that was given to Reuben on the south and to Manasseh on the north. and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the sons of Ammon Blaikie - Gad settled north of Reuben. In his lot was the southern part of Gilead; Mahanaim, and Peniel, celebrated in the history of Jacob, and Ramoth-gilead, conspicuous in after times. East of Gad were the Ammonites, who proved as troublesome to that tribe as Moab did to Reuben. Related Resources: Maps The Division of the Land Among the Tribes The Tribal Allotments of Israel Joshua 13:11 and Gilead, and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah; Jos 12:2-5 De 4:47,48 1Ch 2:23 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe DESCRIPTION OF LAND GIVEN TO MANASSEH and Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites - Blaikie points out that "The Geshurites here are not to be confounded with the people of the same name mentioned in Joshua 13:2, who were at the opposite extreme - the southwest instead of, as here, the north-east of the land. But no doubt the Syrian Geshurites and Maachathites were brought into subjection by David, with all the other tribes in that region, in his great Syrian war, "when he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates " (2 Samuel 8:3). But instead of expelling or exterminating them, David seems to have allowed them to remain in a tributary condition, for Geshur had its king in the days of Absalom (2 Samuel 13:37), to whom that prince fled after the murder of Amnon. With the Maachathites also David had a family connection (2 Samuel 3:3). and all Mount Hermon and all Bashan as far as Salecah - See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe Joshua 13:12 all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); for Moses struck them and dispossessed them. Og Jos 12:4 De 3:10,11 Moses struck them: Jos 14:3,4 Nu 21:23-35 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe MORE DESCRIPTION OF LAND GIVEN TO MANASSEH All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim - giants) - Find Bashan just to right (east) of the Sea of Chinnereth and you will see Ashtaroth and Edrei. For Moses struck them and dispossessed them - Clearly Moses was the commander in chief in the battles on the eastern side of the Jordan.
Josué 13
Meyer - The remark about the tribe of Levi having no inheritance assigned to them (Joshua 13:14), because of the sacrifices of God which were theirs, is not introduced to disparage Levi; but to enhance the honor done to them, since theirs was a possession which could not be injured by their failures and sins. "The Lord God of Israel was their inheritance" (Joshua 13:33). Thus the Lord is the portion of His people. We are heirs of God. All that is in Him is there for us. Let us live near the altar, to minister to Him, and receive our portion from the fire. And let us be His worthy portion! Levi was third-born son to Leah. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah are all born to Leah before any other children were born to Jacob. And so we see that although Levi was the third of "My Three Sons" from Leah, it was out of Levi that such luminaries as Aaron, Moses, and Miriam were born. Campbell - The tribe of Levi received no specific territory of land as did the other tribes (cf. v. 33; 14:3–4; 18:7). Instead the Levites received 48 towns with pastureland for their flocks and herds (14:4; 21:41) as Moses had specified (Nu 35:1–5). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament) Believer's Study Bible - There is a strong emphasis in Joshua on the Levites and their landless dedication to Yahweh (cf. Joshua 13:33; 14:3, 4; 18:7; 21:1-42). Their landlessness was originally a curse (Ge 34:25-31; 49:5-7), but was turned into a blessing because of their later holy zeal (Ex 32:25-28; Nu 18:20; Dt. 33:8-11). It may be that emphasis is placed on the Levites at the beginning of the allotment section because they were to be living messages that Israel was not to become satisfied with the land and forget the Lord (ED: WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED! Jdg 3:7+), to whom the land belonged (cf. Ps 73:25-28). GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 13 Unto the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance. See on Num. 18:20–24. The sacrifices made by fire. The term is to be understood in a large sense, including not only all the oblations of which any part was burnt, but also the first fruits and tithes assigned to the Levites for their support. This is repeated again v. 33, to intimate that the Levites had as good a title to their tithes and perquisites, as the rest of their brethren had to their estates, and also to enjoin upon the tribes a cheerful and conscientious compliance with the will of God in this respect. Withholding their dues from the Levites he considered as no less than actually robbing himself. Joshua 13:15 So Moses gave [an inheritance] to the tribe of the sons of Reuben according to their families. Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe Related Passages: Genesis 49:3-4 (JACOB'S DYING PROPHECY OVER REUBEN) “Reuben, you are my firstborn; My might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. 4 “Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it–he went up to my couch. Genesis 35:22 (REUBEN'S SIN OF INCEST) It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now there were twelve sons of Jacob– INHERITANCE TO TRIBE OF REUBEN Campbell - Reuben received the territory previously occupied by Moab, east of the Dead Sea . Gad's inheritance, in the center of the region , was in the original land of Gilead. The allotment of the half-tribe of Manasseh was the rich tableland of Bashan east of the Sea of Galilee. (No Time for Neutrality: When You Face Your Moment of Impossibility, God Is There: Book of Joshua) Joshua 13:15-23 gives a more detailed description of the cities and boundaries of the land given to Reuben. The description begins in the southern part of Reuben's inheritance and then moves northward in the following passages, with Gad in the middle and half-tribe of Manasseh the last description and the furthest north. So Moses gave [an inheritance] to the tribe of the sons of Reuben according to their families - NLT = "Moses had assigned the following area to the clans of the tribe of Reuben." The remainder of the chapter, now, will give us the specific inheritance on the east side of the two and a half tribes that are content to settle there. Rod Mattoon has an interesting note on Reuben - Reuben was the firstborn of the family and entitled to a double portion. Because of his adultery with Bilhah, he lost the right of the first born and it passed to Joseph who received two portions in Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 49:3, 4). Three centuries later, the consequences of Reuben’s sinful deed passes on to his descendants. They are affected by his sin. Reuben’s life demonstrates that a reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep its eye on the spot where the crack was … Reuben’s sin with Bilhah. Reuben’s experience reveals that everyone leaves footprints on the sands of time. Some are the prints of a great sole, and others are the marks of a heel. Whether you like it or not, your victories and defeats affect others! Ephraim and Manasseh are given the richest, fertile land in Canaan. Judah received the largest portion in the land. Reuben was given the desert land. (Treasures From Joshua) GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 13 15. Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben. The writer now enters upon a minute specification of the portions assigned by lot to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. This is very fully and exactly detailed. On this mode of assigning to the children their inheritances, and on this account of it, it may be remarked, (1) That it was the most equitable and satisfactory method that could be adopted. Had the distribution been made by arbitrary appointment, as all could not receive portions equally good, some would probably have complained that their brethren were better dealt by than themselves. Dividing the land by lot, therefore, by cutting off all pretence for the charge of favoritism on the part of Moses, was the readiest way of satisfying all parties, and preventing discontent and discord. (2) The several allotments are here very minutely detailed in order that litigation growing out of disputed boundaries might ever after be prevented. When the limits of each tribe were so clearly settled, there could be little room for contending claims, or if there were, an authentic register of the lot of each tribe would be at hand to be appealed to for a decision, and there is no doubt that it was often made use of in after ages for this purpose. We cannot but learn from this the great importance of devising every prudent method to prevent litigations about property. (3) The reading of this account by succeeding generations would tend to excite a very deep and lively impression of the goodness of God in bestowing upon their ancestors, for the benefit of their posterity, such a large and fertile country, an inheritance so replete with all the worldly blessings which heart could wish. ‘God’s grants look best, when we descend to the particulars.’ Henry. According to their families. As every tribe had its inheritance divided by lot; so it is probable, that afterwards the subdivisions to every family and each individual were regulated in the same manner. Thus their estates would descend to posterity, not so much as the inheritance of their fathers, as that which the Lord had immediately assigned them. They could thus say, with the Psalmist, Ps. 16:5, 6, ‘The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.’ QUESTION - What can we learn from the tribe of Reuben? ANSWER - Each of the twelve sons of Israel / Jacob received a blessing from his father just before Jacob’s death. The twelve sons were the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the blessing contained prophetic information about the future of each tribe. In the case of the tribe of Reuben, Jacob prophesied, “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it” (Genesis 49:3–4). In addition to referring to the future of the tribe of Reuben, the prophecy contains within it several lessons for all of us. Reuben, the firstborn of the twelve sons, was to Jacob his “might, the first sign of my strength” (Genesis 49:3), indicating that to him were all the rights and prerogatives of a firstborn son. At first, he excelled in honor and power, as is fitting the firstborn son, but Jacob declares that Reuben “will no longer excel” (verse 4) due to his sin of incest with Bilhah, his father’s concubine wife (Genesis 35:22). Although that sin was committed forty years prior, there was left an indelible spot on Reuben’s character and that of his posterity. By committing this uncleanness with his father’s wife, there would be reproach upon his tribe and the family, to whom he ought to have been an example and a blessing. He forfeited the prerogatives of the birthright, and his dying father demoted him, although he did not disown or disinherit him. He would still have all the privileges of a son, but not of the firstborn. Jacob’s sad prophecy for Reuben certainly came true. No judge, prophet, ruler, or prince came from that tribe, nor any person of renown except Dathan and Abiram, who were noted for their rebellion against Moses. Reuben’s tribe chose a settlement on the other side of the Jordan, a further indication of the loss of godly influence on his brothers to which his birthright entitled him. Although Reuben was the firstborn, the kingdom was given to Judah and the priesthood to Levi, leaving Reuben’s tribe to be small and non-influential. Further, Reuben was “unstable as water” (some versions translate it “turbulent as water”), and in this phrase we find several lessons for all Christians. For one thing, Reuben’s virtue was unstable; he did not have control of himself and his own appetites. The charge of instability could refer to his being sometimes very regular and orderly, while at other times wild and undisciplined. As Christians, we are to be in control of our flesh and its appetites and desires at all times. Most importantly, we are to be steadfast in our faith and not “tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). We also learn from Reuben that those who dabble in sin must not expect to save their reputation or maintain a positive influence upon others. Although we know our sins were nailed to the cross and we are forever forgiven for past sins, we may still suffer the temporal consequences of those sins, which often include remorse and a loss of reputation and influence. Reuben’s sin left an indelible mark upon him and his family. As Christians, we must understand that some of our sins will leave a lasting scar. GotQuestions.org Joshua 13:16 And their territory was from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon,, with the city which is in the middle of the valley and all the plain of Medeba; Jos 13:9 12:2 Nu 21:28-30 32:33-38 De 3:12 Isa 15:1,2,4 16:7-9 Jer 48:21-24 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe And their territory was from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon,, with the city which is in the middle of the valley and all the plain of Medeba - Aroer is the southern boundary where the Arnon River separates Reuben's inheritance from the land of Moab to the south of the Arnon River. See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israel Joshua 13:17 Heshbon, and all its cities which are on the plain: Dibon and Bamoth-baal and Beth-baal-meon, Dibon: Eusebius says the city was situated in the plain of Arnon. Bamothbaal: or, the high places of Baal, and the house of Baal-meon, Nu 21:19 22:41 32:38 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe Related Passage: Numbers 22:41 Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places (bamah) of Baal, and he saw from there a portion of the people. Heshbon, and all its cities which are on the plain: Dibon and Bamoth-baal and Beth-baal-meon (“house of Baal's residence” - same as Baal-Meon - Nu 32:38; 1Chr 5:8; Ezek 25:9 and "Beth-Meon" in Jer 48:23) - Joshua reports that Moses gave Dibon to the tribe of Reuben. Note that Heshbon is the northern boundary of Reuben's inheritance . See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israel Bamoth-baal means “high places of Baal.” Mesha, king of Moab about 830 B.C., mentioned it in the Moabite stone. Numbers 22:41 speaks of Bamoth or high places of Baal near the Arnon River. There Balak and Balaam could see all Israel.