Pass Over to the Land of Possession - Joshua 22:19

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Eleazar’s son Phinehas and ten princes asked the tribe of Reuben, Gad and one-half the tribe of Manasseh, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that you have builded you an altar, that you might rebel this day against the LORD? Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD. But that you must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing you rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse nineteen of Joshua we learn how Phinehas and the priests say, “if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass you over unto the land of the possession of the LORD” where we read, 

Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass you over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD'S tabernacle dwells, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.

The verse reads, “Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass you over unto the land of the possession of the LORD,” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “notwithstanding in the land of your possession be unclean” which means “however, nevertheless and moreover whether and in case the territory and property pertaining to your, the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh’s, inheritance exists as impure both ethically and religiously”, “then pass you over”  or “at this time alienate, do away with and traverse you, Reubenites, Gadites and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh” “unto the land” which means “to the territory and property” “of the possession of the LORD” or “pertaining to the territory and property belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas and the ten princes” said whether the territory they were occupying existed as impure, they should cross the Jordan River and take ownership of the territory Jehovah God provided to them within the promise land. 

The verse continues, “wherein the LORD'S tabernacle dwells, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “wherein the LORD’S tabernacle dwells” which means “in which place the sacred dwelling place and habitation belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God is settled, continues and abides”, “and take possession among us” or “and seize, own and take ownership in the midst and middle of us, the people of Israel”: “but rebel not against the LORD” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover do not in opposition to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God”, “nor rebel against us” or “no and not in any way revolt or be in rebellion in opposition to us, the people of Israel”, “in building you an altar” which means “in constructing and erecting a sacrificial place or location” “beside the altar of the LORD our God” or “alongside and accompanying the sacrificial place or location belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”. Joshua or the writer shared how Phinehas and the ten princes told the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh to seize property within the promise land and not to revolt in opposition to the people of Israel or Jehovah God. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how “Phinehas and the ten princes” offered to allow the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh take an inheritance within the promise land rather than cause a revolt in opposition to Jehovah God by erecting their “altar”. We can see how they attempted to intercede on their behalf, and we shall see what becomes of their suggestion. For now let us consider that Jehovah God interceded on our behalf when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and empower us to live in keeping with that truth so we align with Him so we are never in rebellion against Him. (See John 3:16;16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how the congregation asks, “Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing?”, 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".