Joshua 1:12
But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,
But to the Reubenites
The Reubenites were descendants of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. Historically, Reuben lost his birthright due to an indiscretion (Genesis 35:22), which was a significant event in the tribal dynamics of Israel. Despite this, the Reubenites were still a recognized tribe with a distinct inheritance. Their settlement on the east side of the Jordan River was a strategic choice, as it provided fertile land for their livestock. This decision reflects the practical needs and desires of the tribe, as well as their willingness to support the larger community of Israel in their conquest of Canaan.

the Gadites
The Gadites, descendants of Gad, Jacob's seventh son, were known for their warrior spirit and bravery (1 Chronicles 12:8). Like the Reubenites, they chose to settle east of the Jordan River. This choice was made after they saw the land of Jazer and Gilead, which was suitable for their large herds. Their decision to settle here, while still committing to help their fellow Israelites in battle, demonstrates a balance between personal needs and communal responsibility. The Gadites' role in Israel's military campaigns highlights their dedication and strength.

and the half-tribe of Manasseh
Manasseh was the firstborn son of Joseph, and his descendants were divided into two groups, with one half settling east of the Jordan. This division is significant as it reflects the fulfillment of Jacob's blessing over Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, where both were given a portion among the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5). The half-tribe of Manasseh's settlement on the east side of the Jordan was a testament to their size and strength, as they were able to occupy a large territory. Their presence on both sides of the Jordan River symbolizes a bridge between the eastern and western tribes, emphasizing unity and shared purpose.

Joshua said
Joshua, the appointed leader after Moses, was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. His role was not only as a military leader but also as a spiritual guide, ensuring that the people remained faithful to God's commands. In addressing the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua was reminding them of their commitment to assist their fellow Israelites in conquering the land west of the Jordan. This moment underscores Joshua's leadership qualities, his ability to communicate God's will, and his dedication to ensuring that all tribes worked together for the common good. His words were a call to unity, faithfulness, and action, setting the stage for the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the book of Joshua, known for his faithfulness and obedience to God.

2. Reubenites
Descendants of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob. They were one of the twelve tribes of Israel and settled on the east side of the Jordan River.

3. Gadites
Descendants of Gad, another son of Jacob. Like the Reubenites, they chose to settle on the east side of the Jordan River.

4. Half-tribe of Manasseh
Descendants of Manasseh, one of Joseph's sons. This tribe was split, with half settling on the east side of the Jordan and the other half on the west.

5. The Jordan River
A significant geographical boundary for the Israelites, marking the border of the Promised Land. Crossing it symbolized entering into God's promise.
Teaching Points
Obedience to Leadership
The tribes' willingness to follow Joshua's command demonstrates the importance of respecting and obeying God-appointed leaders.

Unity and Cooperation
Despite having their land, the eastern tribes were called to support their brethren, highlighting the value of unity and cooperation within the body of believers.

Faithfulness to Promises
The tribes' commitment to their promise to Moses serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping our commitments and promises, especially those made before God.

Preparation for Spiritual Battles
Just as the tribes prepared to assist in the conquest of the land, believers must be ready to engage in spiritual battles, supporting one another in faith.

Trust in God's Plan
The allocation of land and the journey into the Promised Land illustrate trusting in God's plan and timing, even when it requires patience and perseverance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the agreement between Moses and the eastern tribes in Numbers 32 reflect the importance of keeping our promises today?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate unity and cooperation within our church or community, similar to the tribes' support for one another?

3. How can we apply the principle of obedience to leadership in our current context, whether in church, work, or family?

4. What spiritual battles are you currently facing, and how can you prepare for them with the support of fellow believers?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in God's plan despite uncertainty. How did that experience strengthen your faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 32
This chapter provides the background for why the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan. They requested this land because it was suitable for their livestock, and Moses granted their request with the condition that they help the other tribes conquer the land west of the Jordan.

Deuteronomy 3:18-20
Moses reiterates the agreement with these tribes, emphasizing their responsibility to assist their fellow Israelites in taking possession of the Promised Land.

Hebrews 4:8-10
This passage reflects on the rest that Joshua provided for the Israelites, drawing a parallel to the spiritual rest found in Christ.
Joshua and the ReubenitesE. De Pressense Joshua 1:10-18
Duties of BrotherhoodR. Glover Joshua 1:12-15
Brave ResponsesA. B . Mackay.Joshua 1:12-18
Fidelity to EngagementsW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 1:12-18
Joshua's Demand for the Services of the Trans-Jordanic TribesA. B. Mackay.Joshua 1:12-18
Prayers for Men in Public OfficesJohn Erskine, D. D.Joshua 1:12-18
The Moral Advantages of Good OrganisationJ. -Parker, D. D.Joshua 1:12-18
People
Gadites, Hittites, Israelites, Joshua, Manasseh, Nun, Reubenites
Places
Euphrates River, Great Sea, Jordan River, Lebanon, Moab
Topics
Gadite, Gadites, Half, Half-tribe, Joshua, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Reubenite, Reubenites, Saying, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Tribe
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 1:12-18

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
The New Leaders Commission
'Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2. Moses My servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Charge to the Soldier of the Lord
'Only be then strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded thee... that thou mayest prosper wheresoever thou goest. 8. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.'--JOSHUA i. 7,8. This is the central portion of the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Jewish Dispersion in the West - the Hellenists - Origin of Hellenist Literature in the Greek Translation of the Bible - Character of the Septuagint.
When we turn from the Jewish dispersion' in the East to that in the West, we seem to breathe quite a different atmosphere. Despite their intense nationalism, all unconsciously to themselves, their mental characteristics and tendencies were in the opposite direction from those of their brethren. With those of the East rested the future of Judaism; with them of the West, in a sense, that of the world. The one represented old Israel, stretching forth its hands to where the dawn of a new day was about
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Finding of Moses
Many long years had passed since the days when Joseph's brothers and their families had settled in the land of Egypt. They were a great nation in numbers now, but the Egyptians still ruled over them, and used them as servants. The Pharaoh who had been so kind to the shepherds from Canaan was dead long ago, and the new kings, or Pharaohs as they were called, hated foreigners, and began to treat the Israelites very harshly. There were too many of them, they said; it was dangerous to have so many strong,
Amy Steedman—The Babe in the Bulrushes

Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Getting Ready to Enter Canaan
GETTING READY TO ENTER CANAAN Can you tell me, please, the first step to take in obtaining the experience of entire sanctification? I have heard much about it, have heard many sermons on it, too; but the way to proceed is not yet plain to me, not so plain as I wish it were. Can't you tell me the first step, the second, third, and all the rest? My heart feels a hunger that seems unappeased, I have a longing that is unsatisfied; surely it is a deeper work I need! And so I plead, "Tell me the way."
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan

The Routing of Giant Doubt
THE ROUTING OF GIANT DOUBT Doubts! doubts! doubts! Just a company of them around me all the time worse than Job's miserable comforters. What can I do with them? I should like to dismiss them, but it seems I can not. They make me much trouble, but it seems I can not get them to leave me. Especially are the doubts concerning my entire consecration aggravating, and those, too, concerning my entire cleansing. I fear to come out boldly and declare that I believe that Christ fully saves me now. I believe
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan

Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
Hence, let us learn, my brethren, the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopia of Scripture,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863

From his Commission to Reside Abroad in 1820 to his Removal to Germany in 1822
In 1822 John Yeardley went to reside in Germany. As his residence abroad constituted one of the most remarkable turns in his life, and exercised a powerful influence on the rest of his career, we shall develop as fully as we are able the motives by which he was induced to leave his native country. By means of his Diary we can trace the early appearance and growth, if not the origin, of the strong Christian sympathy he ever afterwards manifested with seeking souls in the nations on the continent of
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

Sundry Exhortations.
HEBREWS xiii. Let love of the brethren continue. Forget not to shew love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are evil entreated, as being yourselves also in the body. Let marriage be had in honour among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for Himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee,
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Great Commission Given.
(Time and Place Same as Last Section.) ^A Matt. XXVIII. 18-20; ^B Mark XVI. 15-18; ^C Luke XXIV. 46, 47. ^a 18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. ^b 15 And he said unto them, Go ye ^a therefore, ^b into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. ^a and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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