Josué 14
Arthur Pink · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 14
Pink - The land of Canaan had already been conquered, so far as its standing armies had been completely routed, its principal strongholds destroyed, and its kings slain. Yet much of its actual territory was still in the hands of its original inhabitants, who remained to be dispossessed. It is important to distinguish between the work which had been done by Joshua and that which still remained for Israel to do. He had overthrown the ruling. powers, captured their forts, and subdued the Canaanites to such an extent as had given Israel firm foothold in the country. But he had not exterminated the population in every portion of it, yea, powerful nations still dwelt in parts thereof, as is clear from Judges 2:20–23, and 3:1–4; so that much was still demanded from Israel. (Gleanings in Joshua - can offer some useful insights but be a Berean regarding Pink's interpretative approach) Now these are the territories which the sons of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the households of the tribes of the sons of Israel apportioned to them for an inheritance - Thee are the men who will administer the distribution of land to the tribes. The heads of the households presumably are the men named in Nu 34:16-29. Note the phrase the land of Canaan which refers specifically to the land west of the Jordan River (cf Ge 17:8) and was where God had established His covenant with the patriarchs (Ex 6:4). Joshua is referred to as the “son of Nun” at ten key points in the book (Joshua 1:1; 2:1, 23; 6:6; 14:1; 17:4; 19:49, 51; 21:1; 24:29). Madvig - Eleazer is named first because he had the predominant role. As priest he was the one who wore the ephod with the Urim and Thummim by means of which the will of God was determined (Nu 27:21; see Nu 34:17, where once again Eleazar is named first). (The Expositor's Bible Commentary Volume 3) Grant points out that "The leadership, priesthood, and tribes all had their place. However, this was not democracy at work. In the Bible, the voice of the majority is rarely in accord with the mind of God and is not a reliable guide for making decisions about spiritual matters. The men were to serve as witnesses to the integrity of the land division and to oversee its implementation. (What the Bible Teaches - Joshua Judges Ruth) Davis and Whitcomb have an interesting explanation of how the land was allotted to the tribes - According to 14:1, three parties were involved in the division of the land: Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes. The casting of lots before the Lord was the divinely appointed method by which each tribe would receive its share of land (cf. 13:6; 14:2; 18:6). The principal division of territory was between the tribes of Judah and Joseph; the other allotments of land would be contingent upon the area given to these tribes. The allotment of certain territories was not a haphazard procedure. According to 18:4–9, a special group of men was set aside to study the land and to designate border areas. The size of a tribe was also a factor in the assignment of special territories (cf. Num. 26:51–56; 33:54). Various landmarks were used in the delineation of borders. According to Chapter 15, the seas (vv. 2, 4), the rivers (v. 4), the mountains (vv. 8, 10), the desert (v. 1), and towns (v. 21ff.) were all border indicators. This method of boundary definition is paralleled in a document by Suppiluliuma (a Hittite king of the fourteenth century B.C.), to Niqmadu of Ugarit, Ras Shamra. (Israel From Conquest to Exile: A Commentary on Joshua-)
Josué 14
Pink explains below while there may have been "rest" in Hebron, that did not mean "rest" in other areas of the land in the near future (see Pink's comment below). Irving Jensen - The unwavering faith and unfailing strength of Caleb are a stirring challenge to all Christians. To many, seeing is believing, waiting is wearying, and aging is to retire. For Caleb, believing was to see Canaan conquerable; waiting through the wilderness years and the wars for Canaan was to be strengthened; and aging was to take on another giant task with the same strength-giving God. Caleb was awarded this prize in Canaan because he was committed wholly to the Lord. (Joshua- Everyman's Bible Commentary: Rest-Land Won) Campbell - Then the land had rest from war (cf. Joshua 11:23 for the same expression at the end of the Conquest proper), show what faith in the Lord can accomplish with respect to land yet to be possessed. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament) Kiriath-Arba (9v - Gen. 23:2; Gen. 35:27; Jos. 14:15; Jos. 15:13; Jos. 15:54; Jos. 20:7; Jos. 21:11; Jdg. 1:10; Neh. 11:25) Place name meaning, “city of Arba” or “city of four.” The ancient name for the city of Hebron (Joshua 15:54 ). It was the chief city in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:54 ) and was both a Levitical city (Joshua 21:11 ) and a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7). Caleb captured the city for Israel (Joshua 15:13-14 ). Bible students dispute the origin of the name. According to some, Kiriath-Arba was originally named after Arba the Anakite hero (Joshua 14:15; see Joshua 15:13 ). Arba - Jewish Encyclopedia The hero of the Anakim, who lived at Kirjath-arba, a city named in his honor (Joshua 14:15). In Joshua 15:13 and 21:11 he is called the father of Anak, which evidently means that he was regarded as the ancestor of the Anakim. A W Pink - It may be recalled that the fourteenth chapter closed with the words, “And the land had rest from war.” At first sight that seems to be a blessed statement, but in view of several later ones it should rather be regarded as the striking of an ominous note. The fact is that Israel had, temporarily at least, become weary of well-doing, and were resting on their oars, for they had failed to complete the task which God had assigned them. There were many places yet unsubdued, numerous companies of the Canaanites which were still unconquered. That resting from war was fraught with evil consequences, for soon after we are told, “As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out” (15:63). And again, it is recorded of the Ephraimites, “they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute” (Joshua 16:10). And once more, “yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in the land” (Joshua 17:12). Sad blemishes were those in the account given of the general success of the nation Rest (undisturbed)(08252) shaqat is a verb which means to cause quietness, to pacify, to allay, to be still, to be quiet, to be undisturbed. Basically the meaning of shaqat is a state of tranquility, as when the land has absence of war (2Chr 20:30). The first use in Joshua is used figuratively to describe that "the land had rest (Lxx = katapauo = to cause something to cease, to cause to be at rest - Heb 4:4, 8, 10) from war." (see similar uses below of the land having rest or being undisturbed by war) Even in these repeated notices of “rest” in Judges that use the verb shaqat, these periods of "rest" were not the permanent rest promised in the nuah group of words. The same shaqat type is observed in Joshua 11:23 and Joshua 14:15 where the land is given this type of “rest” from war. However it was only a temporary lull in the continuous surge of the restless sea, Isaiah 57:20, a “respite” from days of trouble, Psalm 94:13. This type of rest must be separated from what God calls “My Rest.” (Hebrews 3:11, Hebrews 4:3, 5), which supremely is found only in Christ when one believes in Him and rests from his efforts to save himself. Related Resources: Rest in the Bible Dr Walter Kaiser's excellent summary - The Promise Theme and the Theology of Rest - Bibliotheca Sacra: Volume 130 In Ruth 3:18-note Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz "will not rest (Lxx = hesuchazo = to be at rest)" until he resolves the matter of who is to be the kinsman redeemer. In Isaiah 30:15 we read "For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength." Sadly the last part of that verse says "But you were not willing!" In Isa 32:17 what brings true security and tranquility reading that that "the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness (Lxx = anapausis = cessation from wearisome activity for the sake of rest) and confidence forever." Thus it is righteousness which brings true tranquility. The tossing sea "cannot be quiet (still, at rest, calm)." (Isa 57:20) Shaqat describes people (Israel) "at rest, that live securely" (Ezek 38:11) which speaks of a sense of safety and security. There is a similar meaning of shaqat/rest for the land from disturbance of war in the following passages all dealing with the Promised Land.... Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war. Joshua 14:15 Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba; for Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war. Jdg 3:11 Then the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. Jdg 3:30; So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land was undisturbed for eighty years. Jdg 5:31 Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD; But let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.” And the land was undisturbed for forty years. Jdg 8:28. So Midian was subdued before the sons of Israel, and they did not lift up their heads anymore. And the land was undisturbed for forty years in the days of Gideon. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 14 Kirjath-arba. That is, the city of Arba, the name of an individual distinguished either for his remarkable bodily stature and strength, or his power and authority, or perhaps both, among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war. There were no more general wars. The inhabitants of Canaan could make no longer any head against the power of Israel. Being disjointed and broken, they could no longer rally in such force as to make it necessary for the whole Israelitish body to go against them in a general campaign. This may be considered as the genuine sense of the expression, though it be admitted that there were afterwards particular wars, arising from the attempts of each tribe to expel the ancient inhabitants still remaining in their respective territories. Gene Getz - Becoming God's Man Today - Principles to Live By Following are five very significant observations regarding Caleb's life, which in turn lead to five practical lessons for every Christian man. Principle 1. God honors men who walk in His will. Three times in this chapter, we read that God's blessing on Caleb was based on the fact that he had followed the Lord fully. God honored his faithful obedience to His commands. God wants us to be obedient to all that He asks us to do. Note however that the disobedience of Israel interfered with Caleb's desire to go into the land. Yet God viewed his true willingness to obey as actual obedience. The same is true for you and me. There are times when other people in our lives limit our ability to be as responsive to the will of God as we'd like to be. However, God knows our hearts, just as He did Caleb's. For example, I know men who are married to women who are either unbelievers or very carnal. These men have a desire to serve Jesus Christ more fully with their talents, their time, and their treasures. However, they are limited in what they can do because of the disunity and hostility it would create. Again, God understands those situations and honors our heart response. Group Disobedience - Sometimes we find our personal obedience lacking because of group disobedience—perhaps in our church or business. In situations where the circumstances are beyond our control, God also looks at our hearts and what we do in the situation. Caleb was willing to take a stand for God's Word even though he knew he would be rejected by his own people. What about you? Be Careful - Christians must make sure they are taking a stand for God's Word and not for their own prejudiced opinions. Some Christians suffer needlessly because of a lack of knowledge of God's Word. In Caleb's case there was no question. Israel was in direct violation of God's command. In this situation, Caleb would not compromise his convictions. Principle 2. God honors men who take a stand against the majority when the majority is wrong. Caleb's obedience was in the context of a minority report. The vote was ten to two in favor of disobedience. How easy it is to side with the majority; to compromise our Christian convictions; to operate out of fear. Not so with Caleb. Even when Joshua appears to have been afraid to speak up, Caleb spoke out boldly. What about you? Principle 3. God honors men who take a stand for Him even though it means rejection by the group. Caleb's obedience was in the context of group rejection. The people literally wanted to stone him. Most of us have never had our lives threatened because of our stand for God's Word. However, it's easy to be inhibited and fearful even in the midst of minor rejections from those who do not want to follow God. The apostle Paul stands out as a dynamic example for all of us in this respect. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel,” he wrote to the Romans, “for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). And when he knew he was going to stand before the Roman emperor, perhaps to face the death penalty, he wrote to his faithful prayer supporters in Philippi: "For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." (Phil. 1:19–20) Principle 4. God honors men who faithfully follow Him. Caleb had been obedient for forty-five years, even though Joshua was the man God chose to lead the children of Israel into the land. How easy it is to become jealous and resentful when other Christians receive more attention than we do—especially when we feel we deserve it as much as they. To be faithful behind the scenes is difficult, but it's a true test of character. Remember, too, that God often tests us to see how faithful we are under these circumstances. If we pass the test, He then is able to entrust us with greater responsibility. Principle 5. God will not forget men who serve Him faithfully and consistently. Caleb's obedience was eventually honored and rewarded, even though it was forty-five years later. God did not forget His promise to Caleb. He always honors faithful obedience. Remember that God never forgets. Eventually He will reward us for faithful obedience. Like Caleb, some of that reward often comes in this life, but it will definitely come in eternity. And of course, eternal rewards are those that really count. Points of Action - Ask God to help you become a faithful and obedient Christian—to “follow the Lord fully” in all He says, no matter what the consequences. Write out a personal and specific goal that you want to carry out immediately—this week. Pray for God's help. Remember the words of Paul who said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). How obedient am I to all that God commands? (Never) (Sometimes) (Always) When the majority wants to do what is wrong in the sight of God, do I take a stand for what is right? (Never) (Sometimes) (Always) When I am faced with group rejection because I want to obey the Word of God, do I take a stand for what I know to be the will of God? (Never) (Sometimes) (Always) How faithful am I in my service to the Lord and to others when I have to work behind the scenes?(Never) (Sometimes) (Always) Am I willing to wait patiently for God to fulfill His promises to me? (Never) (Sometimes) (Always) (Men of Character: Joshua)