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” … and after they responded in an effective manner, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse thirty-three of Joshua we learn how, “the thing pleased the children of Israel”, where we read,
And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God,
and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
The verse reads, “And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the thing” which means “and the thing, the speech concerning the reason the altar was built by the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh”, “pleased the children of Israel” or “made glad and joyful the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”; “and the children of Israel” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “blessed God” or “saluted, honored and adored the Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas’ words” made the offspring of “Israel” to be joyful, and they honored and adored Jehovah God for it.
The verse goes on to say, “… and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and did not intend to go up” which means “and in no way or manner say, declare, avow or avouch to ascend, shoot forth or rise in contention” “against them in battle” or “in opposition to them, the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh, in fighting and war”, “to destroy the land” which means “to corrupt, ruin or spoil the district, territory, region or country” “wherein the children of Reuben” or “in which the offspring and progeny belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah and the progenitor of the tribe Reuben” “and Gad” whose name means “troop“ and was “the seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher and the progenitor of the tribe of Gad “dwelt” which means “lived, inhabited and abode”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” were so satisfied with the words of “Phinehas” that they did not avow to rise up in battle in opposition to the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh’s territory.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how there was peace and tranquility between the “children of Israel” and the tribes of the “Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh”. God was at work even when there were times of contention among the people of “Israel”. God is at work in us, and He wants to be in a personal, intimate relationship with us. This was made possible when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us live in a manner that blesses and pleases Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)
Next time we learn how, “the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed”, 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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