We are studying the division of the land on the east side of the Jordan River. Yesterday we took a look at the borders of the area as a whole. Today we'll see how it was divided among the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh.
"This is what Moses had given to the tribe of Reuben, according to its clans: The territory from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the middle of the gorge, and the whole plateau past Medeba to Heshbon and all its towns on the plateau, including Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar on the hill in the valley, Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth Jeshimoth---all the towns on the plateau and the entire realm of Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled at Heshbon." (Joshua 13:15-21a) This was very fertile land, suitable for raising cattle and growing crops, which is why some of the Israelites chose the land on this side of the Jordan.
The author reminds us of the great victory of the Israelites over King Sihon and his army and his allies. It should be noted that the main reason two and a half tribes of Israel obtained land on the east side of the Jordan is because King Sihon refused to allow the people to pass peacefully through his territory on a highway that was a major trade route. Instead he came out to oppose the Israelites and the Lord took what was Sihon's and gave it to His covenant people. "Moses had defeated him and the Midianite chiefs, Evi, Rekim, Zur, Hur and Reba---princes allied with Sihon---who lived in that country." (Joshua 13:21b)
The author reminds us that the Israelites put to death the prophet Balaam, who for money promised to him by Israel's enemies attempted to curse the nation of Israel. Not only was Balaam (once a true prophet of the Lord) willing to turn his back on the Lord's people, but he also indulged in occult practices, which is probably what caused his heart to be hard toward the Israelites. "In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam son of Beor, who practice divination. The boundary of the Reubenites was the bank of the Jordan. These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the Reubenites, according to their clans." (Joshua 13:22-23)
"This is what Moses had given to the tribe of Gad, according to its clans: The territory of Jazer, all the towns of Gilead and half the Ammonite country as far as Aroer, near Rabbah; and from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the territory of Debir; and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Sukkoth and Zaphon with the rest of the realm of Sihon king of Heshbon (the east side of the Jordan, the territory up to the end of the Sea of Galilee). These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the Gadites, according to their clans." (Joshua 13:24-28) The Gadites had a great deal of cattle but in addition to being herdsmen they gained the reputation of being mighty warriors. An altar to the Lord will be built in the territory of Gad later in the book of Joshua.
"This is what Moses had given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, that is, to half the family of the descendants of Manasseh, according to its clans: The territory extending from Mahanaim and including all of Bashan, the entire realm of Og king of Bashan---all the settlements of Jair in Bashan, sixty towns, half of Gilead, and Ashtaroth and Edrei (the royal cities of Og in Bashan). This was for the descendants of Makir son of Manasseh---for half the sons of Makir, according to their clans." (Joshua 13:29-31) Only half of this tribe wanted their land to be on the east side of the Jordan. Later in the book of Joshua we will learn where the other half of Manasseh settled.
King Og followed the example of King Sihon by refusing to allow the Israelites peaceful passage. As a result he lost his kingdom and his life. What once was his now belongs to the people of the Lord.
"This is the inheritance Moses had given when he was in the plains of Moab across the Jordan east of Jericho. But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He promised them." (Joshua 13:32-33) The Levites were given cities to inhabit and later in the book of Joshua we'll learn which cities they dwelled in on both the east side and the west side of the Jordan River.
Tomorrow we will begin studying how the land on the west of the Jordan was distributed among the remaining tribes.
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