Josué 13
John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 13
MacArthur - When Joshua allotted areas to individuals and tribes, they bore the challenge to drive out lingering resisters; if not, they would disobey God’s mandate to be resolute in conquest (Dt 11:22-23). Failure to do this thoroughly is a sad theme in Judges 1. Deuteronomy 11:22-23 “For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you to do, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him, 23 then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you. That very much of the land remains to be possessed should not be a surprise, for in the book of Exodus we read God's promise to Moses and Israel... “I will send My terror ahead of you, and throw into confusion all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. 28 “I will send hornets ahead of you so that they will drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites before you. 29 “I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 30 “I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land. 31 “I will fix your boundary from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River Euphrates; for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. 32“You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. 33“They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”(Ex. 23:27-33) In Judges we read a reason that God would drive out the enemy little by little... Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; 2 only in order that (NOTE THIS PURPOSE CLAUSE) the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly). 3 These nations are: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. 4 They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses. (DID THEY PASS THE TEST?) . 5 The sons of Israel lived among (THIS IS THE ROOT PROBLEM - NOT ROOTING OUT THE PAGANS BUT LIVING AMONG THEM!) the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; 6 and they took their daughters for themselves as wives (THEY FELL PREY TO THE LUST OF THE EYES!), and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 7 The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. (Judges 3:1-4+) THOUGHT - Temptations and trials detect the wickedness of the hearts of sinners; and strengthen the graces of believers today in their daily conflict with Satan, FLESH [the main, root problem], and this evil world. We must live in this world, but we are not of it and are forbidden to conform to it (Ga 6:14, 1Jn 2:15-17, Jas 4:4, Ro 12:2). Friendship of the world is more fatal than its enmity; the latter can only kill the body, but the former can kill our soul! (2Ti 4:10)! Believer's Study Bible - Although Joshua had done a great work, great work remained to be done. This is always the case-"God's workers die, but His work goes on." As predicted in Ex. 23:27-33, the complete conquest was to be a gradual process.The area yet to be subdued by the tribes is described in Joshua 13:2-6, moving from S to N. Life Application Study Bible - Joshua was getting old—he was between 85 and 100 years of age at this time. God, however, still had work for him to do. Our culture often glorifies the young and strong and sets aside those who are older. Yet older people are filled with the wisdom that comes with experience. They are very capable of serving if given the chance and should be encouraged to do so. Believers are never allowed to retire from God’s service. Those past retirement age should not assume that age disqualifies or excuses them from serving God.What are our unconquered lands? They may be overseas missionary territories, new languages in which to translate the Bible, new missionary areas in our neighborhoods, interest groups or institutions that need redemptive work, unchallenged public problems or ethical issues, unconfessed sin in our lives, or underdeveloped talents and resources. What territory has God given you to conquer? This territory is your “Promised Land.” Our inheritance will be a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1) if we fulfill the mission God has given us to do. Dale Ralph Davis quips - Probably even the most stout-hearted reader of Joshua begins to crumble and nod as he enters chapters 13–21. Watching war movies always tends to be more exciting than participating in land surveys. Insomnia naturally thrives on accounts of dry riverbeds or crumbling walls. Somehow chasing a Canaanite out of the hill country is far more stimulating than plodding over his former land counting villages and tracing borders. Our problem is that we are too detached. Insofar as possible we must see this land distribution as an Israelite would have seen it....You might think these lists and descriptions terribly dull, but for the Israelite this material describes his inheritance. What’s dull about that? Yahweh had promised ‘to your seed I will give this land’ (Gen. 12:7), and now Abraham’s grandchildren (generations removed) could walk into wadis and count towns that form the particulars of that promise. (Joshua: No Falling Words) ILLUSTRATION of old age - The celebrated English novelist Somerset Maugham was being honored on the occasion of his eightieth birthday. After his friends had heaped praise upon him, he rose to give a speech. He began by saying, “There are many virtues to growing old,” then he paused and looked down at the table. The pause grew uncomfortably long. Maugham fumbled with his notes, looked around the room, and shifted uneasily from one foot to the other as guests exchanged embarrassed glances. Then clearing his throat Maugham said with a twinkle in his eye, “I’m just trying to remember what they are.” (Cyril
Josué 13
MacArthur - Israel also killed Balaam. This Israelite slaying of the infamous false prophet occurred at an unidentified point during the conquest (cf. Nu 21–25; 31:16; Jos 24:9-10; 2Pe 2:15-16; Jude 1:11; Rev 2:14). Dale Ralph Davis - we must not miss the repeated allusions to Israel’s victories over our old friends Sihon and Og (Josh 13:10, 12, 21, 27, 30–31), not to mention Balaam (Josh 13:22; see Nu 22–25; 31:8). What does this mean? It means that throughout all this geography and topography there are constant allusions to the victories Yahweh had previously given Israel under Moses. The allusions jog Israel’s memory and fortify their faith in face of any contemporary enemies; for it is in remembering how Yahweh handled Sihon and Og (Ps 135:10–12; Ps 136:17–22) that Israel finds assurance that Yahweh will still have compassion on his servants and that his covenant love persists into present prime time as well (Ps 135:14; 136:19b, 20b). This is the biblical prescription for faith; faith finds both steadfastness and expectancy by rehearsing and revelling in Yahweh’s past acts of faithfulness. (Joshua: No Falling Words) Cyril Barber also emphasizes this point - There are constant references in the text to the victories God had given Israel through Moses, and these must have been of encouragement to God’s people. Some indication of the significance of the defeat of Sihon and Og is to be gleaned from references to them in the book of Psalms (cf. Psalm 135:10–12; 136:17–22). (Joshua: A Devotional Exposition) Blaikie - The other parenthetical statement respects the death of Balaam. "Balaam also, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them" (Joshua 13:22). It appears from Numbers 31:8 that the slaughter of Balaam took place in the days of Moses, by the hands of the expedition sent by him to chastise the Midianites for drawing the Israelites into idolatry. That the fact should be again noticed here is probably due to the circumstance that the death of Balaam occurred at the place which had just been noted - the boundary line between Reuben and Gad. It was a fact well worthy of being again noted. It was a fact never to be forgotten that the man who had been sent for to curse was constrained to bless. As far as Balaam’s public conduct was concerned, he behaved well to Israel. He emphasized their Divine election and their glorious privileges. He laid especial stress upon the fact that they were not a Bedouin horde, rushing about in search of plunder, but a sacramental host, executing the judgments of a righteous God - "The Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them." This was a valuable testimony, for which Israel might well be grateful. It was when Balaam took part in that disgraceful plot to entice Israel into sensuality and idolatry that he came out in his real colours. It seemed to him very clever, no doubt, to obey the Divine command in the letter by absolutely refusing to curse Israel, while at the same time he accomplished the object he was sent for by seducing them into sins which brought down on them the judgments of God. Nevertheless, he reckoned without his host. Possibly he gained his reward, but he did not live to enjoy it; and "what shall a man be profited if he gain the whole world and forfeit his own life?" (Matthew 16:26, R.V.). The two and a half tribes were well taught by the fate of Balaam that, in the end, however cunningly a man may act, his sin will find him out. They were emphatically reminded that the sins of sensuality and idolatry are exceedingly hateful in the sight of God, and certain to be punished. They were assured by the testimony of Balaam, that Israel, if only faithful, would never cease to enjoy the Divine protection and blessing. But they were reminded that God is not mocked: that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Balaam had sown to the flesh; of the flesh it behoved him to reap corruption. And so must it ever be; however ingeniously you may disguise sin, however you may conceal it from yourself, and persuade yourself to believe that you are not doing wrong, sin must show itself ultimately in its true colours, and your ingenious disguises will not shield it from its doom: - "The wages of sin is Death." Diviner (07080) qasam is derived from an Arabic root which primarily means to distribute, divide, decide (by God or so-called fate) and then to determine by lot or magical scroll, and thus to divine. The pagans (and sadly Israel) would divine by various methods -- sometimes by examining the position of the stars, and other times through casting lots with arrows, consulting idols, examining animal organs such as the liver (see esp Ezek 21:21) or through conjuring up the dead (a sin King Saul committed in 1Sa 28:8). The goal of divination was to attempt to predict the future or discern hidden knowledge by one of these occult methods. A soothsayer was one who attempted to predict the future by magical, intuitive, or more rational means. Notice that divination was just one of a group of evil (occult) spiritual practices (Dt 18:10) Qasam - 20v - Deut. 18:10; Deut. 18:14; Jos. 13:22; 1 Sam. 6:2; 1 Sam. 28:8; 2 Ki. 17:17; Isa. 3:2; Isa. 44:25; Jer. 27:9; Jer. 29:8; Ezek. 13:9; Ezek. 13:23; Ezek. 21:21; Ezek. 21:23; Ezek. 21:29; Ezek. 22:28; Mic. 3:6; Mic. 3:7; Mic. 3:11; Zech. 10:2 Related Resource: What does the Bible say about divination? | GotQuestions.org GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 13 alaam also—did the children of Israel slay. He fell with those who instigated him to his wickedness. ‘This was recorded before. Num. 31:8, but is repeated here, because the defeating of Balaam’s purpose to curse Israel was the turning of that curse into a blessing, and was such an instance of the power and goodness of God as was fit to be had in everlasting remembrance.’ Henry Divine justice knows well how to put the brand of perpetual infamy upon those who sin, like Balaam, against light and knowledge. Rod Mattoon - Balaam was a prophet for hire or soothsayer who was hired to curse Israel by the king of Moab, but instead blesses them. Balaam had a head knowledge of God, but his heart was controlled by greed for fortune and fame (2 Peter 2:15). He had an outward show of spirituality, but inwardly he was full of corruption. Balaam revealed that motives are as important as actions. Your treasure is where your heart is. Balaam’s heart was in this world. He yearned for all that this world had to offer. The lifestyle of the world was first. His advice to Balak was to destroy God’s people with worldliness and wicked living. The same tactic will destroy us too today! John warns us in 1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Balaam catered to the worldly crowd and died with this crowd. Let me ask, “Is your heart controlled by greed and worldly living? Do you have an outward form of spirituality but inward corruption?” If so, there is unfinished business that needs to be taken care of in your life. (Treasures From Joshua) QUESTION - Who was Balaam in the Bible? ANSWER - Balaam was a wicked prophet in the Bible and is noteworthy because, although he was a wicked prophet, he was not a false prophet. That is, Balaam did hear from God, and God did give him some true prophecies to speak. However, Balaam’s heart was not right with God, and eventually he showed his true colors by betraying Israel and leading them astray. In Numbers 22—24, we find the story about Balaam and the king of Moab, a man called Balak. King Balak wanted to weaken the children of Israel, who on their way to Canaan had moved in on his territory. Balak sent to Balaam, who lived in Mesopotamia along the Euphrates River (Numbers 22:5), and asked him to curse Israel in exchange for a reward. Balaam was apparently willing to do this but said he needed God’s permission (verse 8). Balaam, of course, had no power, in himself, to curse Israel, but, if God were willing to curse Israel, Balaam would be rewarded through Balak. God told Balaam, “You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed” (verse 12). King Balak then sent “other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first” (verse 16), promising a handsome reward. This time God said, “Go with them, but do only what I tell you” (verse 20). The next morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and left for Moab (Numbers 22:21). God sent an angel to oppose Balaam on the way. The donkey Balaam was riding could see the angel, but Balaam could not, and when the donkey three times moved to avoid the angel, Balaam was angry and beat the animal. “Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth” (verse 28), and it rebuked the prophet for the beatings. “Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn” (verse 31). The angel told Balaam that he certainly would have killed Balaam had not the donkey spared his life. Ironically, a dumb beast had more wisdom than God’s prophet. The angel then repeated to Balaam the instruction that he was only to speak what God told him to speak concerning the Hebrews (verses 33–35). In Moab, King Balak took the prophet Balaam up to a high place called Bamoth Baal and told him to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22:41). Balaam first offered fourteen sacrifices on seven altars and met with the Lord (Numbers 23:1–5). He then declared the message God gave him: a blessing on Israel: “How can I curse / those whom God has not cursed? / How can I denounce / those whom the Lord has not denounced?” (verse 8). King Balak was upset that Balaam had pronounced a blessing on Israel rather than a curse, but he had him try again, this time from the top of Pisgah (Numbers 23:14). Balaam sacrificed another fourteen animals and met with the Lord. When he faced Israel, Balaam again spoke a blessing: “I have received a command to bless; / he has blessed, and I cannot change it” (verse 20). King Balak told Balaam that, if he was going to keep blessing Israel, it was better for him to just shut up (Numbers 23:25). But the king decided to try one more time, taking Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland (verse 28). Again, Balaam offered fourteen animals on seven newly built altars (verse 29). Then “the Spirit of God came on him and he spoke his message” (Numbers 24:2–3). The third message was not what the Moabite king wanted to hear: “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, / your dwelling places, Israel!” (verse 5). Balaam’s three prophecies of blessing on Israel infuriated the king of Moab, who told the prophet to go back home with no reward: “Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded” (Numbers 24:11). Before he left, Balaam reminded the king that he had said from the very beginning he could only say what God told him to say. Then he gave the king four more prophecies, gratis. In the fourth prophecy, Balaam foretold of the Messiah: “A star will come out of Jacob; / a scepter will rise out of Israel. / He will crush the foreheads of Moab, / the skulls of all the people of Sheth” (verse 17). Balaam’s seven prophecies were seven blessings on God’s people; it was God’s enemies who were cursed. However, later on Balaam figured out a way to get his reward from Balak. Balaam advised the Moabites on how to entice the people of Israel with prostitutes and idolatry. He could not curse Israel directly, so he came up with a plan for Israel to bring a curse upon themselves. Balak followed Balaam’s advice, and Israel fell into sin, worshiping Baal of Peor and committing fornication with Midianite women. For this God plagued them, and 24,000 men died (Numbers 25:1–9; Deuteronomy 23:3–6). Balaam’s name and story became infamous, and he is referred to several times in the New Testament. Peter compares false teachers to Balaam, “who loved the wages of wickedness” (2 Peter 2:15). Jude echoes this sentiment, associating Balaam with the selling of one’s soul for financial gain (Jude 1:11). Finally, Jesus speaks of Balaam when He warns the church in Pergamum of their sin: “There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:14). Satan’s tactics haven’t changed all that much. If he cannot curse God’s people directly, he will try the back-door approach, and idolatry and sexual immorality are his go-to temptations.GotQuestions.org Related Resource: What is the doctrine of Balaam? | GotQuestions.org James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - BALAAM; OR, THE EXPERIENCES OF A CASTAWAY Joshua 13:22; 1 Corinthians 9:27 “Not change of place, but change of heart Winneth the sweet wounds of love’s dart; Coming or leaving, Thy power alone Shattereth or melteth heart of stone. Not change of place, but unchanged heart Removes us, Lord, from where Thou art; Darkened love! thrice saddest wonder! Putteth God and us asunder.” “Balaam, the son of Beor, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.” This is a very brief statement, but it is a terrible revelation. He who once declared the Word and will of God is found slain among His enemies. A striking example of the “withered branch” referred to in John 15:6. It may be true in our Christian experience what Felicia Hemans said in another connection: “No outward thing is changed, Only the joy of purity is fled.” A tree may have every appearance of health and stability even while in heart it is rotting away. It is possible to have the form of godliness while there is an utter absence of the power. The character of Balaam is somewhat enigmatical, but enough has been given us to make a beacon fire of warning to every servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us look at— I. His Character and Privileges. 1. HE WAS BROUGHT INTO CONTACT WITH GOD (Num. 22:9–12; 23:4). What an angelic privilege to have God to speak to us, and to know that it is God who speaks! One would think that such an evidence of His existence and personal interest in us would be enough to bind our souls for ever in faithfulness to Him. But, alas, how many of us hear His Word, and believe it to be His Word, yet fail in obedience to it? 2. HE HAD THE COURAGE TO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD BEFORE OTHERS. “Balaam said, The Word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak” (Num. 22:38). Nobly spoken. In form this is the confession of the faithful (1 Kings 22:14). This is a hopeful start on the prophetic career. Ye did run well. Who did hinder? Remember Lot’s wife. 3. HE HAD THE WORD OF THE LORD PUT IN HIS MOUTH (Num. 23:5). In this he was as highly favoured as the true and tender-hearted Jeremiah (Jer. 1:9). Nor was he alone in this honour. “But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart, that is, the Word of faith which we preach” (Rom. 10:8). To have the Word of God put in our mouths when young is good, but that is not enough to make faithful servants of Christ. 4. HE WAS CONVINCED OF THE SAFETY AND HAPPINESS OF GOD’S PEOPLE (Num. 23:21–24). Balaam’s testimony is: “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob; the Lord his God is with him, and there is no enchantment against him.” Indicating a threefold privilege that belongs to all His redeemed ones: 1, Forgiveness; 2, Fellowship; 3, Safety (Rom. 4:7, 8; Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:33). It is never very difficult to convince the ungodly that the Christian has the best of it. When the magicians failed to imitate the works of Moses they were ready to confess that “this is the finger of God” (Exod. 8:16–19). 5. HE HAD HIS EYES OPENED TO SEE THE VISION. “He saw the vision of the Almighty falling into a trance, but having his eyes open” (Num. 24:3, 4). To have one’s eyes open to see the vision of the Almighty in His wondrous grace and mercy in Christ Jesus is imperative to a holy God-pleasing life. There are those who seek to witness for God who have never seen the vision, whose inner eyes have never yet been opened; and there are those who, like Balaam, have seen the vision, and have turned back. Zechariah had understanding in the “visions of God,” and as one has lately said, “Eternity itself will be needed to measure the life of the man who has seen the visions of God.” It is an awful thing to see God in Christ and die. The vision will haunt the impenitent through eternity. 6. HE DECLARED HIS FAITHFULNESS TO GOD. “I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord to do either good or bad, but what the Lord saith, that will I speak” (Num. 24:13). These words have a very pleasant sound in our ears, coming as they do after seeing the “vision of the Almighty.” They were spoken in a firm, decisive tone. “If Balak,” he says, “would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the Word of God.” Alas, alas, Peter has a fearful comment to make on this loud-lip profession. “Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11). Not every one that saith shall enter into the kingdom. 7. HE WAS AT TIMES MOVED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. “The Spirit of God came upon him” (Num. 24:2). Is Balaam also among the prophets? Yes. For a time the tongue of prophetic fire rests upon him, and he speaks the wisdom of God. The coming of the Spirit upon him, as upon others, was entirely of the GRACE of God, an opportunity and a provision brought within the reach of a soul that may enrich the life for ever, or that may be heartlessly received, and end in failure, darkness, disappointment, and disgrace. Take heed lest the light that is in thee be turned into darkness. 8. HE HAD A GREAT DESIRE TO DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his” (Num. 23:10). There are two ends to the life of the righteous, the first and the last. The first may not always be blessed, but the last is. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord” (Rev. 14:13). In the sight of the Lord their death is precious (Psa. 116:15). He desired the blessed end of the righteous without living their separated life. A vain hope. Balaam was found slain among the enemies of the Lord (Josh. 13:22). Take heed to thyself. II. His Guilt and Failure. 1. HE SOUGHT TO ALTER THE WORD OF GOD. “The Lord afterwards declared that “He would not hearken unto Balaam” (Josh. 24:9). It would appear from this that he pleaded with the Lord to change His manner of dealing with Israel, and so break His Word of promise. The backsliding in heart would always fain do this. 2. HE LOVED THE WAGES OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (2 Peter 2:15). Like Lot’s wife, he would like the rewards of the righteous, but his heart was set on the gain of godlessness. The love of the heart decides the character of the life in the sight of God. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. The Lord looketh upon the heart. Love is either the fulfilling or the breaking of the law of God. 3. HE TAUGHT THE PEOPLE OF GOD TO SIN (Rev. 2:14; Num. 31:16). This is an awfully solemn charge to bring against a man whose eyes had been opened to see the vision of the Almighty, but it is the Almighty One Himself who makes the charge. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. If we fail to walk in the light, and turn aside, like Balaam, to the company and fellowship of the ungodly we cannot but “cast a stumbling block” in the way of others, and bring woe upon our own souls. 4. HE WENT BACK TO HIS OWN PLACE. “And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his own place” (Num. 24:25). Back like the sow that was washed to its wallowing in the mire. “They went out from us because they were not of us; if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us.” Back to his own place of curse after God had in mercy given him a place of blessing. If he had gone out heartily for God and His people he would have had no cause or desire to go back. To turn away from God is to go back to your own place of death and dishonour (Heb. 6:4–6). 5. HE CAME TO A WOEFUL END. “Balaam also did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them” (Josh. 13:22). In going back to his own place he dug his own grave and sealed his own doom. Backslider, beware. Return unto the Lord, and He will restore again the joy of thy salvation. The love of the world is a sin that will eat like a canker the spiritual life out of the soul. It was not without good reason Paul wrote: “I keep my body under, lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27; Acts 1:25). Joshua 13:23 And the border of the sons of Reuben was the Jordan. This was the inheritance of the sons of Reuben according to their families, the cities and their villages. Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israel SUMMATION OF THE INHERITANCE OF REUBEN And the border of the sons of Reuben was the Jordan - See Reuben's allotment above. Much of the inheritance of the Reubenites had the Dead Sea as its westward boundary and just a very little of the Jordan River close to its northern boundary. The Reubenites had the Arrunonites on the east and the Dead Sea, with just a portion of the Jordan River, on the west. This was the inheritance of the sons of Reuben according to their families, the cities and their villages - In measuring out the land, you can say that the inheritance was about 25 miles north and south and about 32 miles east and west. Joshua 13:24 Moses also gave an inheritance to the tribe of Gad, to the sons of Gad, according to their families. Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israel Related Passages: Numbers 32:34-36 The sons of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer, 35 and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah, 36 and Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and sheepfolds for sheep. INHERITANCE TO TRIBE OF GAD Moses also gave an inheritance to the tribe of Gad, to the sons of Gad, according to their families - GAD is the 7th born son to Jacob, and Gad is the firstborn of Leah's maid Zilpah. Gad means "to be fortunate, rich. " Joshua 13:25 And their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the sons of Ammon, as far as Aroer which is before Rabbah; their coast: Nu 32:35 Jazer: A city near a brook of the same name, now called Wady Szyr; and probably the present Szyr occupies its site. half: Nu 21:26-30 De 2:19 Jdg 11:13-27 Rabbah: De 3:11 2Sa 11:1 12:26 Eze 21:20 Am 1:14 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israel And their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the sons of Ammon, as far as Aroer which is before Rabbah - The Division of the Land Among the Tribes The Tribal Allotments of Israel Jazer is about 12 miles north of Heshbon, which is the northern boundary of Reuben's territory. Jazer Place name meaning, “May He help.” Amorite city state Israel conquered while marching across the land east of the Jordan towards the Promised Land (Numbers 21:32 ). The tribe of Gad rebuilt and settled Jazer (Numbers 32:35; compare Joshua 13:25 ). Joshua assigned it to the Levites (Joshua 21:39 ). Isaiah pronounced judgment on Jazer while preaching against Moab (Isaiah 16:8-9 ). Jeremiah echoed him (Jeremiah 48:32 ). David found outstanding leaders there (1 Chronicles 26:32 ). It was also an important city in the period between the Testaments (1Maccabbees 1 Chronicles 5:8 ). Interpreters debate Jazer's exact location. German archaeologists appear to favor tell el-Areme, while Israelis point to khirbet es-Sar about eight miles west of Amman. Others point to khirbet Jazzir about two miles south of es-Salt Rabbah A very strong place on the east of the Jordan, and the chief city of the Ammonites. In five passages - Deuteronomy 3:11; 2 Samuel 12:26; 2 Samuel 17:27; Jeremiah 49:2; Ezekiel 21:20 - it is styled at length, Rabbath of the Ammonites, or the children of Ammon; but elsewhere, Joshua 13:25; 2 Samuel 11:1; 2 Samuel 12:27; 2 Samuel 12:29; 1 Chronicles 20:1; Jeremiah 49:3, simply Rabbah. When first named, it is mentioned as containing the bed or sarcophagus of the giant Og. Deuteronomy 3:11. David sent Joab to besiege Rabbah. 2 Samuel 11:1; 2 Samuel 11:17; etc. Joab succeeded in capturing a portion of the place - the "city of waters," that is, the lower town, so called from its containing the perennial stream, which rises in and still flows through it. The citadel still remained to be taken, but this was secured shortly after David's arrival. 2 Samuel 12:26-31. Long after, at the date of the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah 49:2-3, it had walls and palaces. It is named in such terms as to imply that it was of equal importance with Jerusalem. Ezekiel 21:20. From Ptolemy Philadelphus, (B.C. 285-247), it received the name of Philadelphia. It was one of the cities of the Decapolis, and became the seat of a Christian bishop. Its ruins, which are considerable are found at Ammon about 22 miles from the Jordan. It lies in a valley, which is a branch, or perhaps the main course, of the Wady Zerka usually identified with the Jabbok. The public buildings are said to be Roman, except the citadel, which is described as of large square stones put together without cement, and which is probably more ancient than the rest. Joshua 13:26 and from Heshbon as far as Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim as far as the border of Debir Ramathmizpeh: Jos 20:8 Ge 31:49 Jdg 10:17 11:11,29 1Ki 22:3 Mahanaim: Jos 21:38 Ge 32:1,2 2Sa 2:8 17:27 Debir: 2Sa 9:4,5 17:27, Lodebar Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israel and from Heshbon as far as Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim as far as the border of Debir - The Division of the Land Among the Tribes The Tribal Allotments of Israel It is Mahanaim where Abner and Ishbosheth set up a northern rival kingdom to David's in Hebron. And it is at Mahanaim that David flees to stage his military operations against Absalom. Ramath-mizpeh high-place of the watch- tower; Sept. Ἀραβὼθ κατὰ τὴν Μασσηφά, v. r. ῾Ραμώθ κατὰ τὴν Μασφά; Vulg. Ramath Masphe). In defining the boundaries of the tribe of Gad, Joshua states that Moses gave them inheritance... : "from Heshbon unto Ramath-mizpeh, and Betonim" (Joshua 13:26). This place is nowhere else mentioned; and it appears to have constituted one of the landmarks on the northern border of the tribe, which ran from the banks of the Jabbok, in the parallel of Jerash, to the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. It was in this region Jacob and Laban had their remarkable interview and entered into the covenant. The place where they vowed to each other was marked by a heap of stones, and called both Galeed and Mizpah (Genesis 31:48-49). This would seem to suggest the identity of the Mizpah of Jacob and Ramath-Mizpeh. Betonim Place name meaning, “pistachios.” A border town in tribal allotment of Gad (Joshua 13:26 ). It is located at khirbet el-Batne, two and a half miles southeast of es Salt on Mount Gilead. Mahanaim , two camps, as often, and explained in Genesis 32:2 as meaning the heavenly army of God; where the Sept. has Παρεμβολαί,Vulg. Mahanaim, id est Castra; elsewhere Μαανά Þ μ or Μααναϊ v μ, once Μαναέμ , sometimes παρεμβολαί; Vulg. Manaim, but usually castra), a place beyond the Jordan, north of the river Jabbok, which derived its name from Jacob's having been there met by the angels (Josephus, Θεοῦ στρατόπεδον, Ant. 1:20, 1) on his return from Padan- aram (Genesis 32:2). (The name was eventually extended to the town which then existed, or which afterwards arose in the neighborhood. This town was on the confines of the tribes of Gad and Manasseh, as well as on the southern boundary of Bashan (Joshua 13:26; Joshua 13:30), and was a city of the Levites (Joshua 21:38; 1 Chronicles 6:80). It was in this city that Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, reigned (2 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 2:12) during David's reign at Hebron, and here he was assassinated (ch. 4). The choice of this place was probably because he found the influence of David's name less strong on the east than on the west of the Jordan; at least, it seems to show that Mahanaim was then an important and strong place (comp. 2 Samuel 2:29; 2 Samuel 19:32). Hence, many years after, David himself repaired to Mahanaim, where he was entertained by Barzillai, the aged sheik of that district, when he sought refuge beyond the Jordan from his son Absalom (2 Samuel 17:24; 2 Samuel 17:27; 1 Kings 2:8). In this vicinity also appears to have been fought the decisive battle in the wood of Ephraim, between the royal troops and the rebels (2 Samuel 18). Apparently it was on the border between Gad and Manasseh, and it was assigned as a Levitical city (Joshua 13:26,30; 21:38; comp. 1 Chronicles 6:80). Debir A town in Gad east of the Jordan given various spellings in the Hebrew Bible: Lidebor ( Joshua 13:26 ); Lwo Debar ( 2 Samuel 9:4-5 ); Lo' Debar ( 2 Samuel 17:27 ); Lo' Dabar ( Amos 6:13 ). The city may be modern Umm el-Dabar, twelve miles north of Pella. It apparently was near Mahanaim, where first Ish-bosheth and then David while fleeing Absalom, made their headquarters. Some Bible students have suggested a location at tell el-Chamme or khirbet Chamid. Joshua 13:27 and in the valley, Beth-haram and Beth-nimrah and Succoth and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as a border, as far as the lower end of the Sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan to the eas Beth-haram: Nu 32:36 Beth-nimrah: Nu 32:3,36 Succoth: Ge 33:17 Jdg 8:5,6,14-16 1Ki 7:46 Chinnereth: Jos 11:2 12:3, Nu 34:11 De 3:17 Lu 5:1 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israel and in the valley, Beth-haram and Beth-nimrah and Succoth and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as a border, as far as the lower end of the Sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan to the east - Sea of Chinnereth is the Sea of Galilee. Basically,this is describing almost everything on the east side of the Jordan River from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee. Beth-haram Place name meaning, “house of the exalted one,” or “house of height.” (KJV, Beth-aram). A city Moses allotted the tribe of Gad (Joshua 13:27 ). It is probably tell er-Rameh though others suggest tell Iktanu. It is probably the same as Beth-haran. A city near mount Peor, and not far from the entrance of the Jordan into the Dead Sea; rebuilt and called Livias by Herod, in honour of Livia, wife of Augustus. Beth-nimrah Place name meaning, “house of the panther.” City east of the Jordan that tribe of Gad rebuilt after Moses allotted it to them (Numbers 32:36 ). It provided good grazing land (Numbers 32:3 ). It is located at either tell Nimrin or nearby at tell el-Bleibil, about ten miles northeast of the mouth of the Jordan Succoth A place name meaning, “booths.” A city east of the Jordan in the tribal territory of Gad. Jacob dwelt there upon his return to Canaan (Genesis 33:17 ). It was an important town during the time of Gideon. Its leaders were punished by Gideon for not helping him in a campaign against the Midianites (Judges 8:5-7 ,Judges 8:5-7,8:13-16 ). Near Succoth Hiram made vessels for Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 7:45-46 ). It is usually located at tell Deir Alla, but some excavation results have called this into question. Zaphon Place name meaning, “north.” City east of the Jordan River in Gad's territory (Joshua 13:27 ). It was probably a center of worship of the god Baal-zaphon in the days of Canaanite supremacy before the Gadites took over. It is identified with tell el-Qos, tell es-Saidiye, or tell el-Mazar. Shophan (Numbers 32:35 ) may be another spelling of the same city. Joshua 13:28 This is the inheritance of the sons of Gad according to their families, the cities and their villages. Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe SUMMATION OF THE INHERITANCE OF GAD This is the inheritance of the sons of Gad according to their families, the cities and their villages - If you were to measure this territory, it would be about 25 miles east and west, and about 60 miles north and south. The Gadites would have Ammon on the east and Reuben on the south, Manasseh on the north, and the Jordan River as its west boundary. The south boundary would be just a little bit north of the Dead Sea, and the north boundary would be at the south end of the Sea of Galilee. Joshua 13:29 Moses also gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh; and it was for the half-tribe of the sons of Manasseh according to their families. Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe INHERITANCE TO HALF-TRIBE OF MANASSEH Moses also gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh; and it was for the half-tribe of the sons of Manasseh according to their families - Joshua 13:30 And their territory was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, sixty cities; Jos 13:26 Nu 32:39-41 De 3:13-15 1Ch 2:21-23 See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe And their territory was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, sixty cities - Bashan - The northernmost region of Palestine east of the Jordan River. Though its precise extent cannot be determined with certainty, it was generally east of the Sea of Galilee. In the time of Moses it was ruled over by a king named Og, whom the Israelite army defeated (Numbers 21:33-35 ). It was assigned to the tribal area of Manasseh (Deuteronomy 3:13; Joshua 13:29-31 ). Probably on account of its frontier location, it changed hands several times during the course of Israelite history. It was known as a particularly fertile area (Deuteronomy 32:14; Ezekiel 39:18 ). Joshua 13:31 also half of Gilead, with Ashtaroth and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the sons of Machir the son of Manasseh, for half of the sons of Machir according to their families. Ashtaroth: Jos 12:4 the children of Machir by: Nu 32:39,40 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe SUMMATION OF THE INHERITANCE OF THE HALF-TRIBE OF MANASSEH also half of Gilead, with Ashtaroth and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the sons of Machir the son of Manasseh, for half of the sons of Machir according to their families - Find Bashan just to right (east) of the Sea of Chinnereth and you will see Ashtaroth and Edrei. When you measure this territory, you come up with about 65 miles north and south, and 60+ miles east and west . You have Syria in the north and the Sea of Galilee in the west; Gad and Ammon in the south and the Syrian Desert on the east. Related Resources: Maps of The Division of the Land Among the Tribes The Tribal Allotments of Israel Although all of Bashan was assigned to the half tribe of Manasseh, it is doubtful that settlement reached beyond the Yarmuk Valley. Machir Personal name meaning “sold.” Oldest son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph (Joshua 17:1 ). He was the father of Gilead (Joshua 17:1 ), Peresh, and Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:16 ), and a daughter whose name is not given (1 Chronicles 2:21 ). He had a brother named Asriel (1 Chronicles 7:14 ) and a wife named Maacah (1 Chronicles 7:16 ). Machir was the head of the family called the Machirites (Numbers 26:29 ). Apparently Machir along with his family had a reputation for being expert warriors (Joshua 17:1 ). “Because he was a man of war,” Machir was allotted the territory of Bashan and Gilead, east of the Jordan (Joshua 17:1 ). Apparently the territory of the Machirites started at the site of Mahanaim, on the Jabbok River, extended northward, and included the region around the Yarmuk River (Joshua 13:29-31 ). Joshua 13:32 These are the territories which Moses apportioned for an inheritance in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho to the east. Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe SUMMATION OF THE INHERITANCE APPORTIONED BY MOSES These are the territories which Moses apportioned for an inheritance in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho to the east. - A summary of the preceding detailed allotment to Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh. Joshua 13:33 But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He had promised to them. Jos 18:7 Dt 10:9 Dt 18:1-2 Joshua 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See map of The Tribal Allotments of Israe Related Passages: Numbers 18:20; 24+ Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel. ....24 “For the tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as an offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance; therefore I have said concerning them, ‘They shall have no inheritance among the sons of Israel.’” Numbers 35:2+ “Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities. Joshua 13:14 Only to the tribe of Levi he did not give an inheritance; the offerings by fire to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as He spoke to him. Deuteronomy 10:9+ Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, just as the LORD your God spoke to him.) Deuteronomy 18:1-2+ “The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the LORD’S offerings by fire and His portion. 2 “They shall have no inheritance among their countrymen; the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them. But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance (nachalah) - No land but the LORD! The priestly tribe of Levi did not receive a definite territory , but instead was allotted 48 cities distributed over the tribal areas, the purpose of of their dispersion among the people was to facilitate their teaching the people the Word of the LORD. Simeon and Levi were also scattered in fulfillment of the prophecy of Jacob (Ge 49:5–7). Simeon eventually became a part of Judah.The Levites were to remain unentangled with the affairs of the laity and were given no inheritance or share of property in the promised land. THOUGHT - The fact that Levi had no land relieved them of any pressure to deal with the various vagaries of owning a piece of property (We all know what that is like - I just received my property tax bill and "Yipes!") Their status in a sense is that they would be unencumbered by the things of this world, and instead of being cumbered (weighed down, hindered, hampered) by them! This truth reminds me of two passages in the New Testament that speak to us a "believer-priests" of God Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance (ogkos) and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing (aphorao = VERB MEANS LOOKING AWAY FROM EVERYTHING THAT MIGHT DISTRACT US SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SINGLE MINDED FOCUS OF) our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2+) Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that (PURPOSE!) he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:3-4+)