Joshua 13:8-14
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;
9 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, as far as Dibon;
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;
11 and Gilead, and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah;
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 drove them out.
13 But the sons of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites; instead, Geshur and Maacath live among Israel to this day.
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.
Division of the Lands East of Jordan
Beyond the Jordan
“Beyond the Jordan” refers to the other side of the Jordan River looking from the land of Canaan, the land east of the Jordan River. In this passage, we will look at the division of that land. While Moses was still alive, he had given this land as an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh, the tribe of Rueben, and the tribe of Gad. This was because these tribes had great flocks and wished to inherit the lands ideal for pasturing. However, there was one condition in granting this wish. They must cross the Jordan River with the other nine tribes and fight with them in the conquest of Canaan. Now, the condition has been fulfilled, the lands beyond the Jordan River were for the two-and-a-half tribes to inherit. (1) In God’s promises, many are fulfilled only when certain conditions on the human’s side was met. One of the goals in reading the Bible is to search for the Lord’s commands yet to be done and if you should find one, move to action immediately. (2) The conquest of the east was yet incomplete, as many territories were left unconquered. Just as it is said, “But the sons of Israel did not dispossess the Geshurites or the Maacathites…” (v. 13).We too should take a moment to self-evaluate, whether or not we have certain God’s command yet to be done.
The inheritance of the tribe of Levi
Concerning the inheritance of the tribe of Levi is written in detail in chapter 21. Here we will look at a few points. (1) They were not given any land as an inheritance. As Levites, their mission was to serve as priests in the Tabernacle. (2) They received portions from the sacrifices on the altar of the Tabernacle. This was both a blessing and a difficulty at the same time. When Israel was in good standing spiritually, the Levites received more for their portion. However, if Israel should become spiritually depleted, there will be fewer sacrifices and the amount they receive will be affected greatly. The life of the Levites symbolized the life of a believer who trusts in the Lord and not in human things. As the Levites of the New Testament, we have all things even when poor. In knowing Christ, we already have all things. Therefore, let’s give thanks to the Lord and fulfill our mission.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, knowing Jesus Christ is equivalent to having everything. May I continue to explore and appreciate the majesty and abundance of Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.