Joshua 12 and 13 (5)

With the other half-tribe the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses had given them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the LORD had given them: from Aroer which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and the town that is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plain of Medeba as far as Dibon; all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the children of Ammon; Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salcah; all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants; for Moses had defeated and cast out these. Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maachathites, but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day. Only to the tribe of Levi he had given no inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said to them. Joshua 13.8-14

Reflect.
1.  Why do you suppose the two-and-a-half tribes did not drive out the peoples mentioned in verse 13?

2.  The Levites are mentioned here because they would be scattered throughout the various tribes, including those settling east of the Jordan. Why was that?

Think about it.
The writer mentions the many victories Moses led these two-and-a-half tribes to achieve on the east side of the Jordan. We might think that, having accomplished so much already, they would go on and finish the job. But, as verse 13 explains, they did not, and had not finished it until the day of this writing (v. 13, which was probably after the death of Joshua).

Were they weary of fighting? Had they become content to realize only part of what God had promised them, rather than all? Or did they consider that allowing these two groups of Canaanites to continue in their midst would not be that big a deal? Whatever their reasoning for not driving out the Geshurites and Maachathites, it would come back to bite them.

The Levites are mentioned because, unlike the other eleven tribes, they had no permanent settlement as a tribe. Instead, they were allotted cities throughout the lands given to the various tribes, together with the pasture lands and farm plots attached to those cities. Since the Levites provided the religious services of Israel, they needed to be situated among all the various tribes. They had no inheritance of land from which to provide for their needs, although farms and pastures were provided for them. Rather, their inheritance – their daily provision – came through the sacrifices which people brought. A portion of those sacrifices was allotted to the priests and Levites who served the people (cf. Num. 8.8-11). Here is established the principle that Paul claimed in 1 Corinthians 9.8-14 and Galatians 6.6).

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Why do Christians become complacent about growing in the Lord or seeking more of His Kingdom presence, promise, and power? How can we recognize when we are succumbing to this temptation?

2.  Why was it not a good idea to allow Canaanite peoples to remain among the tribes of Israel? How does this speak to us about our sanctification in the Lord?

3.  How would you articulate the principle established in verse 14?

“This exception was also necessary, lest the Levites might allege that they were unjustly disinherited, and thus excite great commotions in regard to their right. He therefore reminds them that Moses was the author of this distinction, and, at the same time, shows that they have no reason to complain of having been in any way defrauded, because an excellent compensation was given them. For although the sacrifices were not equally divided among the Levites, their subsistence was sufficiently provided for by all the first-fruits and the tithes.” John Calvin, Commentary on Joshua (1509-1564AD)

Lord, You are my inheritance, and I rejoice at the prospect of…

Pray Psalm 16.
As you pray, meditate on what it means to have the Lord Himself for your inheritance, and praise and thank Him accordingly.

Psalm 16 (All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
Preserve me, O my God; I refuge seek in You. 
You alone are all my good, my Lord and Savior true!
Refrain v. 11
Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand; 
Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand. 

The saints within the earth, majestic in their day, 
Delight me with the worth of all they do and say. 
Refrain

They endless tears shall weep who worship idols vain; 
Their ways I will not keep, nor speak their empty names. 
Refrain

My portion and my cup are You, my Savior dear; 
You help and hold me up and ever keep me near. 
Refrain

I bless Your Name, O Lord; my mind instructs each night; 
You teach me by Your Word and guide me in the right. 
Refrain

You are ever with me, Lord; in You I shall not fall. 
But rejoicing in Your Word, I abide within Your call. 
Refrain

Soon Your glory I shall see, for as Jesus rose again, 
You will come to gather me to my home with You in heav’n.
Refrain

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).