Joshua 22:7
“Now to the one half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua gave a possession among their brothers westward beyond the Jordan. So when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he also blessed them”.
This is an exciting time for Israel. They have conquered many of the inhabitants in the land. They are disbanding and going to the properties that they have been aloted. I’m not sure if the lots were divyed up or if the people scrambled and claimed land. That sounds stressful. It sounds if they weren’t pushy that could betray their descendants forever.
The half tribe of Manasseh and Rueben were given this land on the opposite side of the Jordan. I seem to recall the tribe of Rueben requesting this of Moses years prior. It was beautiful and had river access.
My concern is their proximity to the rest of the tribes. They were at the extreme of the land. What’s also a negative is that they are across the river. It would be a challenge to cross quickly if they were threatened. In a sense they were cut off from the people.
Being so far from the center of the people and influence they seemed to be the first ones who forsook the Lord. Being so far off they were also vulnerable to enemy invaders.
It reminds me of Abraham’s nephew Lot. When he and Abraham encountered strife as they were too close to one another Abraham gave Lot the choice of the land, he chose the land near Sodom. It was well watered and beautiful. However, their family was drawn to Sodom and his wife and daughters were corrupted by the towns ways.
We need to be careful where we plant ourselves. Will there be negative influences on us or our children?
These are great matters for prayer. Try not to selfishly grab. Be more like Abraham and trust God to give us what we need. Look deeper than the surface. Pray about the choice. Don’t put oneself in a vulnerable spot.
Keep a dependance on God. Talk to Him about all these decisions. Pray without ceasing. Trust Him and praise Him. Don’t rely on the superficial. There are depths to consider. Much that we don’t know. Pray and ask for guidance. Think about vulnerabilities. Ask God to give us wisdom about all those things we are unaware of.
Thank You, Lord that You have much interest in all this. You want us to pray about them. Thank You! Help us to keep praying and inquiring of You.
