Return with Much Riches - Joshua 22:8

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse eight of Joshua we learn how Joshua told the one half tribe of Manasseh, “Return with much riches unto your tents” where we read, 

And he spoke unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.

The verse reads, “And he spoke unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle,” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he spoke unto them” which means “and he, Joshua, uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the one-half tribe of Manasseh”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “return with much riches” which means “turn and go back accompanied by exceeding and abundant treasures and wealth” “unto your tents” or “to your, the one-half tribe of Manasseh’s, transient dwelling places, habitations and homes”, “and with very much cattle” which means “and accompanied by exceedingly abundant livestock and domesticated animals such as cows, sheep and goats in herds and flocks”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the one-half “tribe of Manasseh” to go back to their home with an exceeding amount of wealth and livestock. 

The verse goes on to say, “… with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “with silver” which means “accompanied by silver metal”, “and with gold” or “and accompanied by gold metal”, “and with brass” which means “and accompanied by copper or bronze”, “and with iron” or “and accompanied by iron ore as material of furniture, utensils or other implements”, “and with very much raiment” which means “and accompanied by an exceedingly great amount of outer garments, wrappers, mantles or clothing”: “divide the spoil” or “separate, apportion and assign the plunder, prey and booty” “of your enemies” which means “belonging to your, the half-tribe of Manasseh’s, hating foe or adversary” “with your brethren” or “alongside your kinsmen, kindred and relatives”. Joshua or the writer shared how Joshua told the half-tribe of “Manasseh” to go back to their homes with large amounts of “silver, gold, brass, iron and clothing”, and they were to apportion the plunder of their hated foes with their kindred and relatives. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” did not want the one-half “tribe of Manasseh” to go home empty handed, In contrast he wanted them to go home with wealth, livestock and adorning clothing. God acts in a similar manner toward us when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was resurrected from the grave after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live in a manner that blesses Him and us while we are in the world and throughout eternity. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:12; 3:24)

Next time we learn how, “the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned”, 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".