013-Joshua 13

Introduction

Joshua was a common man with an uncommon work

From the tribe of Ephraim

A man of faith

He had an uncommon task

He directed the children of Israel to cross the Jordan River by God's provision

He led the Israelites in the battle of Jericho, where God caused the walls to crumble

Now in these chapters

He was a common man doing a common task

He divided the land among the tribes of IsraelGod is a God of detailsThe word land appears eighty-five timesThe word inherit or inheritance appears sixty timesJoshua 13

He divided the land among the tribes of Israel

God is a God of details

The word land appears eighty-five times

The word inherit or inheritance appears sixty times

Joshua 13:1 NKJV

1 Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.

:1

Don't you love God's honesty? He comes and states the obvious. He didn't say, oh you look so good for your age. You're old. You're way out there in years.

We could figure that Joshua was about 100 years old. He dies at 110, tells us.

So I don't think God is exaggerating, or being mean to you, the dude is old, and well advanced in years.

It's funny how we are with age. You know, we monitor age in a strange kind of a manner. When a baby is born we give the age by months. Oh he's 17 months old. And then when they get into their years, we go by half years. Oh he's 7 and 1/2, and that half to a seven-year-old is quite important.

Then we go by full years. Then you reach a point where you're more comfortable with decades. I'm in my 50s. Especially if you're 59 you like to say that. Then you just come to a place where it's just not polite to ask. That's what we're told. Don't ask.

God comes to him and says you're old, you're advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. Now he is old. It's obvious, but again who likes to be reminded of their age. But it needed to be. He needed to be reminded, because he would kick the bucket soon, and there was still work to be done.

God comes to him and says you're old, you're advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. Now he is old. It's obvious, but again who likes to be reminded of their age.

But it needed to be. He needed to be reminded, because he would kick the bucket soon, and there was still work to be done.

They're old and advanced in years, but they're raring to go.

And so this is an old gal. She's writing this in her elder years and she says this, If I had to live my life over I dare to make more mistakes the next time. I'd relax more. I'd limber up. I would be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would take few things seriously. I would take more chances. I'd climb more mountains, and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

If I had to live my life over I dare to make more mistakes the next time. I'd relax more. I'd limber up. I would be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would take few things seriously. I would take more chances. I'd climb more mountains, and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have at more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I'm one of those people who lives sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh I've had my moments, and if I had to do it all over again I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to do nothing else, just moments. One after the other, instead of living so many years ahead of time. I'd be one of those persons who never goes anywhere-- I am one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, or a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it all over again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I had to live all over again, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring, and stay that way later in the fall. I would-- I would go to more dinners. I would ride more merry go rounds. I would pick more daisies.

OK I'm latching on to that.

I would perhaps have at more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I'm one of those people who lives sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh I've had my moments, and if I had to do it all over again I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to do nothing else, just moments. One after the other, instead of living so many years ahead of time.

I'd be one of those persons who never goes anywhere-- I am one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, or a raincoat, and a parachute.

Oh my.

If I had to do it all over again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I had to live all over again, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring, and stay that way later in the fall. I would-- I would go to more dinners. I would ride more merry go rounds. I would pick more daisies.

I bring that up because Joshua, and you'll meet another one tonight, God willing, Caleb is like that. They're old and advanced in years, but they're raring to go, especially Caleb. He wants to climb more mountains like this gal said.

Somebody once said you know you're old when you look forward to a dull evening. You know you're getting old when your friends call you at 9 o'clock at night and ask, did I wake you. You know you're getting old when you sink your teeth into a big juicy steak, and they stay there.

I don't know if Joshua knew he was getting old or not, so God just told him you're old. That's the sign you're old. I told you you're old and advanced in years. Now notice it says, there remains-- verse 1-- very much land yet to be possessed. All the major battles are done. The land effectively is conquered.

He conquered the middle section. There was then a southern campaign. The south was conquered. The north was conquered. All those kings that banded together in coalitions are defeated. The land is theirs. But-- but they have to settle it. They have to divide it up and settle in those places. Because all of the Canaanite populations are still intact, so there remains much land.

Now starting in verse 2, he tells them what land, what portions of the land, are yet to be conquered. He starts with the south. He moves to the north. He'll point out the land of the Philistines, the Philistine country. Which when we typically go to Israel we spend a day in the Philistine country. And then he works his way up north to the Phoenician seaport and Lebanon, which we don't go to because today it's in Lebanon. But I have been there, and they were to settle that area far up in the north.

Joshua 13.2. Joshua brought them across the Jordan into the promised land, and yet they can't rest. It's not a land of rest. It's a land to work. It's a land to fight for. It's a land to settle.

Joshua 13:2–7 NKJV

2 This is the land that yet remains: all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites, 3 from Sihor, which is east of Egypt, as far as the border of Ekron northward (which is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines—the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites; 4 from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; 5 the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath; 6 all the inhabitants of the mountains from Lebanon as far as the Brook Misrephoth, and all the Sidonians—them I will drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance, as I have commanded you. 7 Now therefore, divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”

Joshua 13:2–6 NKJV

2 This is the land that yet remains: all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites, 3 from Sihor, which is east of Egypt, as far as the border of Ekron northward (which is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines—the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites; 4 from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; 5 the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath; 6 all the inhabitants of the mountains from Lebanon as far as the Brook Misrephoth, and all the Sidonians—them I will drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance, as I have commanded you.

Joshua 13.2.7

So this is the land-- verse 2-- that remains. All the territory of the Philistines. That is that of the Geshurites. From Sihor, which is east of Egypt as far as the border of Ekron northward, which could be counted as Canaanite. The five lords of the Philistines, the Gazathites, Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, the Ekronites, and the Avites. All right -ite.

Joshua brought them across the Jordan into the promised land, and yet they can't rest. It's not a land of rest. It's a land to work. It's a land to fight for. It's a land to settle.

OK, from the south all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek to the border of the Amorites. The land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon toward the sunrise from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath. All the inhabitants of the mountains from Lebanon, as far as the brook Misrephoth, and all the Sidonians, them-- them I will drive out from before the children of Israel. Only-- here's what you need to do Josh-- only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance as I have commanded you.

Joshua brought them across the Jordan into the promised land, and yet they can't rest. It's not a land of rest. It's a land to work. It's a land to fight for. It's a land to settle.

Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh. Joshua brought them across the Jordan into the promised land, and yet they can't rest. It's not a land of rest. It's a land to work. It's a land to fight for. It's a land to settle.

Now I'm bringing this up because there is that scripture-- I won't have you turn to it-- but it's in Hebrews chapter 4, where the Lord says there was no rest for the children of Israel in the wilderness while they were wandering. Joshua brought them into the promised land, but he didn't bring them into their rest. And he spoke of another day that would come-- in the future where they would come to a place of rest.

And the author of that book says, it was speaking of the rest we have in Christ. We cease from trying to do good works to be right with God, and we rest in the finished work. But he uses Joshua as an example.

He brings them into the land, but they can't just hang out now. There's much to do. And there's much work ahead. Now Joshua, because he is old, won't be able to complete all of this. His task was to bring them in. He won't be there for the entire settlement of the land.

They can't put the hammock on the tree head back and just watch videos. There's much to do. And there's much work ahead. Now Joshua, because he is old, won't be able to complete all of this. His task was to bring them in. He won't be there for the entire settlement of the land.

So Joshua's work is coming to an end, and it will be completed by others. As you get older, it's daunting to realize the truth of what I just said.

So Joshua's work is coming to an end, and it will be completed by others. As you get older, it's daunting to realize the truth of what I just said. That I may never finish the work that's in my mind that I want to do. That I feel the Lord has called me to do. I may not be able to get it all done. I'll be able to do a certain portion, but others will complete what I start.

That I may never finish the work that's in my mind that I want to do. That I feel the Lord has called me to do. I may not be able to get it all done.

I'll be able to do a certain portion, but others will complete what I start.

And you go, well that's a sad thought. No it's a grand thought. Here's the thought-- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God buries his workmen, but his work goes on. After Joshua there will be others. God will raise up others. After Moses God raised up Joshua. After Joshua others will be raised up.

And you go, well that's a sad thought. No it's a grand thought.

Here's the thought-- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God buries his workmen, but his work goes on.

After Joshua there will be others. God will raise up others. After Moses God raised up Joshua. After Joshua others will be raised up.

Stephen was killed in the New Testament Book of Acts. That was a sad day for the church, but the Lord raised up a man named Paul the Apostle, who became a witness, not just in Jerusalem, but throughout the known world at the time. John Wickliffe, a great father in the faith died, but god raised up a Martin Luther. And on and on and on the story goes.

The work that we do others will finish. I love that thought. I love leaving the future to God instead of worrying about, oh what's going to happen after I die? Who cares. I don't / I'm going to be enjoying heaven, how about you. So we leave that for others, and it's good to be reminded of that from time to time.

And God's work still goes on. And God has worked for us to do. The baton is passed to us, so we run.

In fact, every now and then you ought to just take a walk through a cemetery. And just go up and down and look at those stones. You know it's like you know what, they died, and that was-- they lived a good life, and boy that was sad when they went, but you know what, the world still goes on. And God's work still goes on. And God has worked for us to do. The baton is passed to us, so we run.

And we want to run without regret. We want to run and be able to say I have finished my course, or I finished my race. I've run the race. I've kept the faith.

And we want to run without regret. We want to run and be able to say I have finished my course, or I finished my race. I've run the race. I've kept the faith. Now, verse seven-- therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and a half tribe of Manasseh-- I'll explain that in a moment-- with the other half tribe the Reubenites, the Gadites received their inheritance which Moses had given them beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the Lord had given them.

Joshua 13:7–13 NKJV

7 Now therefore, divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.” 8 With the other half-tribe the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses had given them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the Lord had given them: 9 from Aroer which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and the town that is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plain of Medeba as far as Dibon; 10 all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the children of Ammon; 11 Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salcah; 12 all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants; for Moses had defeated and cast out these. 13 Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maachathites, but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.

Now, verse seven-- therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and a half tribe of Manasseh-- I'll explain that in a moment-- with the other half tribe the Reubenites, the Gadites received their inheritance which Moses had given them beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the Lord had given them.

Now the promised land technically is the Jordan River crossing over west of the Jordan River. From the West Bank of the Jordan River. That's where the term West Bank comes from. The West Bank of the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea that's the promised land.

You see-- and you'll remember-- back in Numbers the 30 second chapter as the children of Israel had left the real bad part of the wilderness and were sweeping up eastward of the Jordan River. Now the promised land technically is the Jordan River crossing over west of the Jordan River. From the West Bank of the Jordan River. That's where the term West Bank comes from. The West Bank of the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea that's the promised land.

But as they were coming up on the trans-Jordan, the 2 and 1/2 tribes mentioned here, Reuben, Gad, half of Manasseh, noticed that, especially up north at this elevated area, was beautiful. Green, lush, great pasture land for cattle. They had many head of cattle. And they said to Moses, look we have a lot of livestock, this is good land, we would rather not cross over the Jordan River.

But as they were coming up on the trans-Jordan, the 2 and 1/2 tribes mentioned here, Reuben, Gad, half of Manasseh, noticed that, especially up north at this elevated area, was beautiful. Green, lush, and I can just having been there in that place-- it is gorgeous, lush, great pasture land for cattle. They had many head of cattle. And they said to Moses, look we have a lot of livestock, this is good land, we would rather not cross over the Jordan River.

And Moses got all upset, he goes you're going to discourage the people. This is the land God wants us to have not or-- that land across the Jordan, not this land. This is-- the promised land is there.

And Moses got all upset, he goes you're going to discourage the people. This is the land God wants us to have not or-- that land across the Jordan, not this land. This is-- the promised land is there. And so they said, well tell you what, we'll go with you into the new land, we'll leave our flocks here to graze, we'll leave our young families here, our wives, our children, and people to look out for them, because the enemies have been conquered. And we as fighting men will go with you, and conquer the land with you. And once the land is conquered then we can go back.

And so they said, well tell you what, we'll go with you into the new land, we'll leave our flocks here to graze, we'll leave our young families here, our wives, our children, and people to look out for them, because the enemies have been conquered. And we as fighting men will go with you, and conquer the land with you. And once the land is conquered then we can go back.

Moses said deal. Now I'm paraphrasing a little bit. He didn't really say deal. But that's the gist of it. So they did. They went over conquered the land. Now they're going back-- referring back to -- the promise that Moses gave to them, to the eastern side of the Jordan River. That's where they're going to go-- the trans-Jordan. So with the other half tribe, the Reubenites, the Gadites, received their inheritance, which Moses had given them beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the Lord had given them.

Moses said deal. So they did. They went over conquered the land. Now they're going back-- referring back to -- the promise that Moses gave to them, to the eastern side of the Jordan River. That's where they're going to go-- the trans-Jordan.

Then it says from Aroer, which is on the bank of the river Arnon, in the town that is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plain of Medeba, as far as Dibon. And more cities and cities are given. But I want to show you on the map where they settled. We brought a map so you can check it out.

We brought a map so you can check it out.

So if you can see the body of water, called the Dead Sea that's the big long body of water in the middle. And then you see that little ribbon that goes up. That's the Jordan River. And that little lake up there on top that's the Sea of Galilee. To the right of that are those 2 and 1/2 tribes. You see Manasseh up top, Gad in the middle, Reuben down below, that's where they settled.

There were no natural boundaries

THIS BECOMES A REAL BAD DEAL!!!

They did not have the same natural defenses

So if you can see the body of water, called the Dead Sea that's the big long body of water in the middle. And then you see that little ribbon that goes up. That's the Jordan River. And that little lake up there on top that's the Sea of Galilee. To the right of that are those 2 and 1/2 tribes. You see Manasseh up top, Gad in the middle, Reuben down below, that's where they settled. Now more about that in a minute. I just wanted to get you oriented with it.

There were no natural boundaries

They did not have the same natural defenses

Joshua 13:14 NKJV

14 Only to the tribe of Levi he had given no inheritance; the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said to them.

Verse 13 of chapter 13-- nevertheless, the children of Israel did not drive out the Gesherites or the Maacathites, but the Geshurites and the Maacathites dwell among Israel until this day. Now that is a bummer. Just because you'd have to say their name all the time. I say let's get rid of him, so we don't have to do that. Only to the tribe of Levi he had given no inheritance.

Jos 13.Only to the tribe of Levi he had given no inheritance.

Joshua 13:33 NKJV

33 But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He had said to them.

The sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said to them. Now I'm going to move you all the way back all the way up to verse 33 for a moment. And notice what it says. But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance. That has no land allotment. No area of real estate for they and their families to settle in. The Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as he had said to them.

But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance.

That has no land allotment. No area of real estate for they and their families to settle in. The Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as he had said to them.

So this is how it worked. The Levites, not like the Ephramites, not like the Gadites, not like the men of Judah, et cetera, they didn't have an area of real estate. But all of the other tribes of Israel supported them so that the Levites could do the work of the ministry in the Tabernacle-- later on the temple. And portions of the offerings that are talked about in the first five books of Moses-- portions of those offerings were given to the Levites as part of their food supply.

So this is how it worked. The Levites, not like the Ephramites, not like the Gadites, not like the men of Judah, et cetera, they didn't have an area of real estate.

But all of the other tribes of Israel supported them so that the Levites could do the work of the ministry in the Tabernacle-- later on the temple.

And portions of the offerings that are talked about in the first five books of Moses-- portions of those offerings were given to the Levites as part of their food supply.

So the burnt offering, the meal offering, the thank offering, and the trespass offering. A portion of the food, the meat, the animal that was brought to be sacrificed was given to the Levites. Plus, not only that, they got 48 cities scattered throughout the tribal allotments.

So they didn't get their own land, but they got cities, and they were scattered throughout all the tribes. Now I like this. I like it because instead of putting all of the Levites in one little section, one little tent area, or one little community all by itself, and separating them from the real life of the rest of the nation, they were scattered throughout all the different tribes. So they would perform their task at the central sanctuary-- the Tabernacle-- later the temple.

So they didn't get their own land, but they got cities, and they were scattered throughout all the tribes.

Instead of putting all of the Levites in one little section, one little tent area, or one little community all by itself, and separating them from the real life of the rest of the nation, they were scattered throughout all the different tribes. So they would perform their task at the central sanctuary-- the Tabernacle-- later the temple.

They would then go back home to that tribe that they were a part of. The city that they occupied. The Levitical city. This placed Levites in every tribe.

People who could teach the law. Remind them of God. Encourage them in the Lord.

You had people who worked close in the worship of God working among the people. It was a brilliant design.

God wanted the worship and the work to always have close proximity with each other.

Now I love what it says that the Lord God of Israel is to be their inheritance. You remember when Abraham was coming through this land before his descendants made their way to Egypt as slaves for 400 years. As Abraham was coming to this land, God appeared to him one night in he said, Abraham I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward. He didn't say, here's a bunch of money Abraham, here's your reward. He said, I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward.

Now He says to the children of Israel, you don't get the land, but you get the Lord of the land.

Now He says to the children of Israel, you don't get the land, but you get the Lord of the land. They get the land of the Lord, you get the Lord of the land. I think the Levites got a better deal. They got that proximity the worship system of the Lord of Israel. They got to witness that day in and day out. They were students of the word. Teachers of the word. The Lord became their inheritance.

They get the land of the Lord, you get the Lord of the land. I think the Levites got a better deal. They got that proximity the worship system of the Lord of Israel. They got to witness that day in and day out. They were students of the word. Teachers of the word. The Lord became their inheritance.

Those who are called into the ministry love the ministry to the extent that they just-- they just love serving. They love teaching Bible studies. They love preparing lessons. They love preparing worship. And I remember when I asked my wife, Lenya, to marry me. When we were both single in California I was working in the field of radiology x-ray. And we didn't know much about where we were going or what we were doing. We just-- there's land to be settled. So we moved east.

Those who are called into the ministry love the ministry to the extent that they just-- they just love serving. They love teaching Bible studies. They love preparing lessons. They love preparing worship.

And I remember the conversation when I asked her to marry me. I said, now, I just want to get this on the table. I'll probably never be able to buy you a house, because the money that I make now in radiology isn't much, and I'm going to be going to part time sooner than later to get a little church started. And who knows what's going to happen there. So just going into this thing, understand the Lord is our inheritance. I'll probably never be able to buy you house.

But you go into this thing just like, OK, I don't know what's going to happen, but whatever the Lord wants is great, because the Lord is our inheritance and our great reward.

Well, I was wrong, my Father stepped in, and gave us the money to buy our first townhome. And so that fulfilled the scriptures in the book of Proverbs where it says that houses and riches are an inheritance from Father, so thank you dad. He's now in heaven, and he invested, I think, wisely. But you go into this thing just like, OK, I don't know what's going to happen, but whatever the Lord wants is great, because the Lord is our inheritance and our great reward.

Jesus said lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust cannot corrupt, where thieves cannot break in and steal.

That's what it was. It's not like they were threadbare. They had their own cities. They had certain areas to farm, and collect. But they didn't have a land allotment they could pass on to their children. What was passed on to their sons was the priesthood in the tribe of Levi. So they got-- they got the good end of the deal.

I read an article about a break-in in a London bank. Six-- might have been-- no, six armed gunmen broke into a London bank and stole, I think at that time, $7 million they walked away with. Well they-- $7 million dollars cash and goods.

Jesus said lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust cannot corrupt, where thieves cannot break in and steal. I read an article about a break-in in a London bank. Six-- might have been-- no, six armed gunmen broke into a London bank and stole, I think at that time, $7 million they walked away with. Well they-- $7 million dollars cash and goods.

One of the things they took was a safety deposit box with a woman's jewels in them. All of her jewels she had collected. $500,000 worth of jewels that she wore. She had some at home. Those are just the extra one she stored in the bank. And the news article gave her response. After the burglary, she said everything in the world was in that box. My whole world she said was in that box.

How sad a statement. My whole world is in that stinking little jewel box. That's your whole world. That's sad. What will it profit if a man gains the whole world, but loses his own soul. So I don't think the Levites said oh bummer. What a drag, man. My whole world is in that land allotment. No, their whole world would be around the Lord in his work.

Now I have a question-- we're not reading all the little villages, because you and I don't know where they are anyway. I could tell you where the Jordan River. I could tell you where the Arnon Gorges is. I could tell you some of those obvious ravine topographical things, but when you leave this room you won't care or you won't remember. So let me ask a more fundamental question.

Two and a half tribes settled east of the Jordan River. Was it wise for them to do so? I don't think so, and I think history proves that it was an unwise decision. It was an unwise decision because where they lived there were no natural boundaries like if they had been in the land, the natural boundary would be a river, the Jordan River, that demarcated the edge of that land. That's the promised land. Living on the east side of the Jordan, where you elevate in the trans-Jordan, they don't have the same natural boundaries, nor defenses, and that is why when the Moabites, or Amalekites, or Assyrians, or Arameans, or Babylonians attacked, they always went down first.

They fell into captivity first. They got hassled, and many of their people were killed, because they couldn't-- they were exposed, and they didn't have the defense capabilities like they did on the other side of the Jordan. Now, you'll notice that he is dealing here with the tribe of Reuben. Do you remember who Reuben was, and the 12 sons of Jacob. First born. First born.

Now, there is a law, and most of you know this. There is a law of the first born. The firstborn son gets how much of the inheritance? Double portion. Twice as much. But Reuben doesn't. He's first born, and typically would get a double portion, as in that Semitic culture would dictate, but he does not. In fact, he has to settle east of the Jordan. Not that he has to, he wanted to.

But what I want to show you is a prophecy. Way back in , as the old man Jacob is on his death bed, and his 12 boys gather around him, and he gives sort of his last will and testimony. It says Jacob called his sons, and said gather together that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days. Gather together to hear you sons of Jacob, and listen to Israel, your Father. Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the Excellency of dignity-- that's a poetic way of saying you made me a father-- and all the Excellency of power, unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father's bed, then you defiled it.

And then he said to the other 12 boys as he pointed to him, he went up to my couch. What happened is Reuben, his first born, went into his tent, took his concubine named Bilhah, and had sexual relations with her. It was Reuben's attempt to usurp the authority as the patriarch of this growing, burgeoning family, and series of tribes. He says you will not excel. He does not get a double portion, but somebody else in his family does get a double portion, Joseph.

The one that the brothers will scorn and sell to the Midianite traders on their way down to Egypt. Joseph will have two sons, and effectively become like two tribes in Israel. The ones that-- the one that the brother-- the brothers marginalized and put out, will be brought back and be given a double portion, Ephraim and Manasseh. In the same text, I'm reading out of , he says in verse 22, Joseph is a fruitful bow. A fruitful bow by the well. His branches run over the wall. The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him, and hated him, but his bow remained in strength. And it's a beautiful prophecy of God's blessing upon his life.

So Reuben is mentioned. He's on the east side of the Jordan. He does not get a double portion. He is exposed to all of the problems that will-- he will incur by being in that position. And that prophecy is fulfilled. Verse 24 of chapter 13, Moses had also given an inheritance to the tribe of Gad, to the children of Gad, according to their families. Their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites, as far as Aroer, which is before Rabbah.

Verse 28-- this is the inheritance of the children of Gad according to their families, the cities, and their villages. Again, this is on the east side of the Jordan. Now we get to that half tribe. Half the tribe of Manasseh settles east. Half the tribe of Manasseh settles west. This is the eastern portion. Moses also gave, verse 29, an inheritance to the half the tribe of Manasseh. For it-- it was for half the tribe of the children of Menasseh, according to their families. Their territory was from all these interesting names to other interesting names. And that is the real estate contract drawing it out.

Verse 32-- these are the areas which Moses had distributed as an inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side of the Jordan by Jericho eastward. But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance. The Lord God of Israel was their inheritance as he had said to them. OK, there were 12 sons. There were 12 tribes. But Levi, one of the sons of Israel, was not given a land allotment, so you had 11 tribes. But by Joseph having two tribes, so it's not just the tribe of Joseph, it's now Ephraim and Manasseh. According to the sons, he gets the double portion. There's always 12 tribes of Israel.