Joshua 13:15-33

¹⁵ This is what Moses had given to the tribe of Reuben, according to its clans:
¹⁶ The territory from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the middle of the gorge, and the whole plateau past Medeba ¹⁷ to Heshbon and all its towns on the plateau, including Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, ¹⁸ Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, ¹⁹ Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar on the hill in the valley, 2⁰ Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth Jeshimoth— ²¹ all the towns on the plateau and the entire realm of Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled at Heshbon. Moses had defeated him and the Midianite chiefs, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba—princes allied with Sihon—who lived in that country. ²² In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam son of Beor, who practiced divination. ²³ The boundary of the Reubenites was the bank of the Jordan. These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the Reubenites, according to their clans.
²⁴ This is what Moses had given to the tribe of Gad, according to its clans:
²⁵ The territory of Jazer, all the towns of Gilead and half the Ammonite country as far as Aroer, near Rabbah; ²⁶ and from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the territory of Debir; ²⁷ and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Sukkoth and Zaphon with the rest of the realm of Sihon king of Heshbon (the east side of the Jordan, the territory up to the end of the Sea of Galilee). ²⁸ These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the Gadites, according to their clans.
²⁹ This is what Moses had given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, that is, to half the family of the descendants of Manasseh, according to its c^lans:
30 The territory extending from Mahanaim and including all of Bashan, the entire realm of Og king of Bashan—all the settlements of Jair in Bashan, sixty towns, ³¹ half of Gilead, and Ashtaroth and Edrei (the royal cities of Og in Bashan). This was for the descendants of Makir son of Manasseh—for half of the sons of Makir, according to their clans.
³² This is the inheritance Moses had given when he was in the plains of Moab across the Jordan east of Jericho. ³³ But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.

Introduction

East of the Jordan, Moses assigned the territories for the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh clan by clan. Each clan was given a town as inheritance. After Moses died, Joshua relieved him as Israel’s leader. They crossed the Jordan, took over Canaan, and Joshua divided the land west of the Jordan.
Why did Joshua include in the narrative the territories that Moses assigned to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh? Did they aspire to have additional territories on the west of the Jordan? Did they feel like they have decided too early for their inheritance? Did Joshua want Israel to remember the instruction of Moses?
Moses assigned not just tribal boundaries but also territories by clan.

1. Assigned

¹⁵ This is what Moses had given to the tribe of Reuben, according to its clans…
²⁴ This is what Moses had given to the tribe of Gad, according to its clans…
²⁹ This is what Moses had given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, that is, to half the family of the descendants of Manasseh, according to its clans…

God is the God of order. Inheritance by tribes and clans implies orderly designation of inheritance. Although the land east of Jordan was requested by the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and Moses granted it, he also subdivided it according to their tribes and clans, and nobody opposed it.
As Israel’s leader when they conquered the land east of the Jordan, Moses assigned the inheritance of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to avoid confusion of where they would live or stay.

After they rested from war, when the Reubenites, the Gadaites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were about to return to their inheritance, Joshua repeated the instructions of Moses about their territory. Joshua did not revoke or repeal the instruction of Moses. What lesson can we learn from what Joshua did? New leaders normally enforce change.

Obamacare

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, nicknamed ‘Obamacare,’ was signed into law by former US President Barack Obama in 2010. ‘Obamacare’ was designed to increase health insurance quality and affordability. The term ‘Obamacare’ was originally coined as a pejorative or to show lack of respect for Obama but it was a political issue that may have helped him to be re-elected in 2012.
When Donald Trump was campaigning for presidency, he promised to repeal or change ‘Obamacare’ with a better plan. So far, the progress to his promise is not very smooth. Thus, it drives his critics to attack his leadership ability.

As a church, is it proper for new or next leaders to repeal or change programs of past church leaders? There are necessary programs that should continue to be carried out.
There are also programs to be changed or updated after thoroughly prayed for and evaluated. When Joshua implemented the instruction of Moses, it’s not only because land territories are immovable properties but it shows obedience to the Lord.
It says in Deuteronomy 19:14, ¹⁴Do not move your neighbor’s boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess.
It also says in Deuteronomy 27:17, ¹⁷“Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

Boundary stones serve as landmark of each territory. There are things that should remain as they are—not to be changed or repealed. The word of God is absolute truth that should not be changed. Interpreting God’s word just to accommodate beliefs or personal opinions of others is like moving boundary stones and invites curse from God.
After Moses reminded the Israelites of the blessing for obedience and curse for disobedience to the commands of the Lord, he instructed in Deuteronomy 30:19-20,
¹⁹ This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live ²⁰ and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Moses reiterated that the Lord is their life in Deuteronomy 32:46-47, ⁴⁶ “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. ⁴⁷ They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

By faith we truly believe that God’s word is our guiding principles for practical and spiritual life journey in this world. God’s word is our road map to our eternal destination. Just as it is very significant to study road maps when travelling, to know when and where to stop or replenish, as Christian pilgrims or travellers of this world, we need to familiarize the word of God for us to decide properly which way to follow.

Furthermore, Jesus said in Luke 11:28, ²⁸“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

There’s blessing for obedience to God’s instructions. Moses reminded the Israelites to remember that they will be blessed if they obey the Lord. So, when their territories were assigned to them, they did not complain about it. But to the Levites, Moses gave them no territorial inheritance but assured them that the Lord is their inheritance.

2. Assured

³² This is the inheritance Moses had given when he was in the plains of Moab across the Jordan east of Jericho. ³³But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.
Why did Joshua repeat that Moses had given no inheritance to the Levites? Why did he tell them again that the Lord is their inheritance? Did the Levites desire to have land also? Did the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh want to have land in the west of the Jordan that Joshua told them the Levites were not even given land?
Was the land west of the Jordan much better than the land in the east? Or did the other Israelite tribes desire to have inheritance in the east? Was the land east of Jordan much better than the land west of Jordan? Were there Israelites complaining about land?
It could be possible that some Israelites wanted to have territories on both sides of the Jordan River. When Joshua mentioned that Moses has given no inheritance to the Levites, did he use the Levites as examples that not all could get what they wish to have because territorial lands had already been allotted to particular tribe or clan?

As servants of God, the Levites serve as a practical illustration of how Christians should live their lives. We are a priesthood of believers. The lifestyle we follow is priestly lifestyle. We serve God not material things. Sure, we need material things to survive the life challenges of this world but we live for God and not to be slaves of materialism.
It teaches in 1 Corinthians 6:30-31, ³⁰ those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; ³¹ those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Can we really keep our minds away from material concerns? Is it not more appropriate for us to have abundance in material things as testimony that God cares for practical needs also? Is it not better to achieve greater things to have more convincing testimony to attract non believers? What does Jesus say about material things?

Jesus said in Luke 12:29-34, ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Christ is not against having material things. The focus of our life determines if we are living a Christian lifestyle or pagan lifestyle. As we live our Christian lifestyle, God may bless us materially or just enough. Many of God’s people in Old Testament (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Esther, Daniel, and Job) had material abundance.
Whether God blesses us materially or not, we need to remember God with whatever He gives us. In Deuteronomy 8:18, 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…

Material abundance should help us remember God. To focus on acquiring more material things is futile because God decides if you get rich or not. Wisdom to produce wealth comes from Him. Territorial inheritance of Israel exhibited blessing in obedience.

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