RPG Adults
MOSES GAVE THE INHERITANCE TO REUBEN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Joshua 13
Judges 16:16-21
“And he wist not that the LORD
was departed from him.”
MOSES GAVE THE INHERITANCE TO REUBEN
The tribe of the eldest son of Jacob was the first to receive inheritance. The boundary of the land that was given to the tribe of Reuben is described in Joshua 13:15-23.
The fate of Balaam is mentioned in connection with the heritage of Reuben. It was the king of Moab who had hired Balaam to curse Israel. Here, Balaam was referred to as a soothsayer, while in Numbers he was called a prophet. In this sense, he was a false prophet. It was after that failure to curse Israel that he invented another scheme to defeat Israel. The intermarriage with the Moabites came with idolatry and espionage. Thus, the death knell sounded for Israel. Later, Samson fell into a similar trap among the Philistines (Judg 14-16). Moses gave land to the tribe of Reuben east of Jordan. They were thus settled.
The next tribe to receive inheritance was the tribe of Gad. The boundary of the tribe of Gad is described in Joshua 13:25-27. There was no given criterion that Moses had used to give that land to the tribe of Gad. They simply agreed with the tribes of Reuben and Manasseh to request Moses to give them that land. On his part, Moses simply consented and there was no opposition. God also confirmed this to Moses. These tribes were given that land on one condition. They were to go armed to the land of Canaan and fight until all their brethren had received their inheritance. They agreed to this and told Moses that they would leave their wives, children and cattle on this side of Jordan and go and fight for their brethren.
THOUGHT: Common sense can have a part to play in decision-making without disobeying God.
PRAYER: Father, may my decisions always be guided to fulfil Thy will.