In the book of Joshua, we read how he told his commanders, “pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days you shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God gives you to possess it”, and in chapter one and verse twelve of his book we learn how Joshua speaks to, “the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh” where we read,
And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh,
spoke Joshua, saying, …
The verse reads, “And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, …” Joshua began with the words, “and to the Reunites which means “and toward the descendants of Reuben whose name means behold a son and was a son of Jacob”, “and to the Gadites” or “and toward the descendants of Gad whose name means an invader, a troop or fortune and was a son of Jacob”, “and to half the tribe” which means “and toward one-half of the branch, scepter or clan” “of Manasseh” or “belonging to Manasseh whose name means causing to forget and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”. Joshua began to speak to the “Reubenites, the Gadites and one-half of the clan belonging to Manasseh”.
The verse goes on to say, “… spoke Joshua, saying, …” The writer or Joshua continued with the words, “spoke Joshua” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed Joshua or Jehoshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the words in our next verse. Joshua or the writer shared how Joshua declared the words in our next verse.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua had a specific message to the “Reubenites, the Gadites and one-half of the clan belonging to Manasseh”, and we shall see what that message was in our next verse. These tribes desired to stay on the opposite or east side of the Jordan River, and before the people of Israel crossed into the promise land, they covenanted to go into the promise land to fight until every tribe received their inheritance of territory. (See Numbers 32:1-32) Joshua would call upon them to keep their commitment, and even though God desired to give the promise land to all the tribes of Israel, He allowed these tribes to remain on the east side of Jordan. God wants us to have all He desires for us, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into His true ways and help us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
Next time we see how Joshua says, “remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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