Joshua Calls the Rubenites, Gadites and Half of Manasseh - Joshua 22:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “there failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse one of Joshua we learn how, “Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh” where we read, 

Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

The verse reads, “Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then Joshua called” which means “at that time Joshua or Jehoshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is Salvation’ and was the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel who led the conquest of Canaan, proclaimed to, beckoned and summoned” “the Reubenites” whose name means “behold a son” and was “the eldest son of Jacob by Leah and the progenitor of the tribe of Reuben”, “and the Gadites” whose name means “an invader; a troop or fortune” and was “the seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid and the full brother of Asher who was the progenitor of the tribe of Gad”. Joshua or the writer said at that time “Joshua” summoned the tribes of “Reuben and Gad”.  

The verse goes on to say, “… and the half tribe of Manasseh.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and the half tribe” which means “and the one-half clan or people group” “of Manasseh” which means “belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”. Joshua or the writer included the one-half people group belonging to “Manasseh” in his invitation to come to him.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” summoned the tribes of “Reuben, Gad and one-half tribe of Manasseh” who received their inheritance on the eastern side of the “Jordan River”. We shall see what Joshua says to them in our next verses, but for now let us consider that these “tribes” kept their word by continuing with the people of Israel until all the “tribes” received their inheritance. God wants us to be faithful to Him and His ways, and when we receive His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will be faithful to forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live in a manner that is obedient and pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time Joshua tells the Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh, “You have kept all that 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".