“These are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and of whose land they took possession, across the Yarden toward the east, from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon and all the ‘Aravah eastward…”-Joshua 12:1
Alrighty, let’s dive into the actual content of Joshua Chapter 12.
The first thing you need to know is that Joshua Chapter 12 can be neatly divided up into 2 separate sections: Verses 1-6 and verses 2-24.
This division is dictated by the Jordan River.
Verses 1-6 deal with Israel conquering the land on the eastern half of the Jordan while the narrative from verse 7 to the end of the chapter deals with Israel’s conquests on the west side of the Jordan.
Simple enough I think.
The purpose of these verses is to communicate the current state of Israel’s union so to speak but it’s being communicated to us from a geographical perspective.
We’re being told what part of the land Israel successfully took over which automatically lets us know which parts of the land Israel didn’t take over
Now an important thing to notice here is…
…the first 6 verses are referring to territory that is NOT part of the Promised Land.
That’s right.
Recall this is territory God permitted the tribes of Reuben, Gad and 1/2 of the tribe of Manasseh to inherit even though it was outside of the Land of Canaan.
We don’t know for sure why the Lord permitted this but it’s darn clear why Reuben, Gad and 1/2 of Manasseh wanted to live here.
First, this area was beautiful AND SPACIOUS.
This meant that each tribe would receive a huge portion of land with plenty of leg-stretching space for everyone.
Second, the land was fertile.
This meant the ground was immediately ready to produce fruit and other crops essential for life.
Finally, the land was already conquered.
This meant all worries about loss of limb and life were non-existent from day one.
Keep in mind that the actual Promised Land itself when measured wasn’t all that big.
If it was divvied up amongst all of the 12 tribes instead of just 9 1/2 tribes, it would have made things pretty cramped for everyone involved (I kind of know what this is like living in Tokyo).
Call it divine providence or not, but since Gad, Reuben and 1/2 of Manasseh enthusiastically decided to settle in territory outside of the Promised Land, this allowed Canaan to be divided up into 10 parts instead of 12.
Again don’t ask me why God allowed this and don’t ask me what the theological implications are, because I have no idea homies.
Nevertheless, it seemed to be a win-win situation for all.
Finally, before closing, let’s not overlook this part from verse 1: “from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon and all the ‘Aravah eastward”.
This little tidbit is basically telling us that the Jordan River flows from the Arnon River in the south stretching all the way up to Mount Hermon in the north.
The Arnon Valley separated the kingdoms of Sihon and Moab off from each other.
And Mount Hermon was actually the Jordan River’s biggest source of water.
These mountains stood about 10,000 feet tall and collected literally tons of snow during the winter time.
When all of this snow melted and turned into water, it all flowed towards the Jordan, keeping it filled and flowing with water all year long.
Thank you for this timely post – very informative as usual ! I saw your Post and had to leave a comment – What a fabulous eye opener into GOD’S PLAN for ALL the World.
10 & 12 represents the Northern Kingdom for the 10 Tribes (Ephraim) and the 2 Tribes (Judah & Benjamin) the Southern Kingdom. Judah was in charge of the Temple Service – the 1st Temple was destroyed in 586BC. Back to today’s calendar: GOD/G-D does work in mysterious ways since this week is also PURIM which is celebrated Thur. Fri. Sat. 3 days of Fasting (first 2 days) and then Feasting – the last day. However, this year, the Feasting Day falls on the SABBATH which means – SABBATH over rules any Festival, therefore, PURIM is celebrated on ZOOM during the week Thur & Fri & reading in Synagogue on Saturday, but in Person DRIVE THRU Fashion falls on SUNDAY, 2.28.2021.
Another Tidbit : Queen Esther “the Morning Star” is her title on the Purim story. Connecting the dots to Revelation 2:25-28 : (25) Only hold on to what you have until I come. (26) To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations – (27) He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery – just as I have received authority from my Father. (28) I will also give him the morning star. (29) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Revelation 22:16-17 is another Passage mentioning the Morning Star as follows: I Jesus / Yeshua, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. (17) “The Spirit & the bride say, “Come!” and let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life… Question : Is there a connection between PURIM & REVELATION… Let’s all celebrate PURIM & get rid of evil (Haman) – The Scroll of Esther has 10 Chapters. It was on 2.28.2018 I attended at the LORD’S REQUEST a PURIM Service, my first since 2000; the LORD directed my steps. The entire Book of Esther is read, one Reader per Chapter. I asked the LORD : “It would be something, if I could be one of the Readers”. HE heard my prayer. The Rabbi of Mayim Rabim Congreation turned to me (she was wearing a short red dress with a paper crown on her head : QUEEN POLY-ESTHER – true story) : “Monique, would you like to read the LAST CHAPTER?” “I would be delighted!” was my answer. I stepped up to the Bimah and read the short Chapter 10 quoting the 3 verses (3) Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes in our Bibles) , preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews”. That was my reading on 2.28.2018 – now 3 years later, (and with CORONA VIRUS creating mayhem around the world) may PURIM’s celebration on that same date 2.28. bring Peace / Shalom to All People… May the LORD have a sense of HUMOR and show us the way to SAVE all US, from East to West and North to South – Phil. 2:10-11 Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that JESUS / YESHUA is LORD… In Heaven, On Earth and Below the Earth. Amen.
The very near future will tell, but I am very inclined to say : “YES”! May there be another leader such as Mordecai to proclaim the TRUTH, the WAY, the LIGHT / LIFE to all people before the Earth falls into the abyss (Isaiah 66:1, 22-23). Therefore, may all say “YES” to YESHUA / JESUS and “NO” to sin ( & Satan aka Haman in the PURIM STORY). Shalom to JerUSAlem & the WORLD with YESHUA in the heart of all people. AMEN & AMEN & AMEN
Thank you for this timely post – very informative as usual ! I saw your Post and had to leave a comment – What a fabulous eye opener into GOD’S PLAN for ALL the World.
10 & 12 represents the Northern Kingdom for the 10 Tribes (Ephraim) and the 2 Tribes (Judah & Benjamin) the Southern Kingdom. Judah was in charge of the Temple Service – Back to today’s calendar: GOD/G-D does work in mysterious ways since this week is also PURIM which is celebrated Thur. Fri. Sat. 3 days of Fasting (first 2 days) and then Feasting – the last day. However, this year, the Feasting Day falls on the SABBATH which means – SABBATH over rules any Festival, therefore, PURIM is celebrated on ZOOM during the week Thur & Fri & reading in Synagogue on Saturday, but in Person DRIVE THRU Fashion falls on SUNDAY, 2.28.2021.
Another Tidbit : Queen Esther “the Morning Star” is her title on the Purim story. Connecting the dots to Revelation 2:25-28 : (25) Only hold on to what you have until I come. (26) To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations – (27) He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery – just as I have received authority from my Father. (28) I will also give him the morning star. (29) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Revelation 22:16-17 is another Passage mentioning the Morning Star as follows: I Jesus , have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. (17) “The Spirit & the bride say, “Come!” and let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life… Question : Is there a connection between PURIM & REVELATION…
Let’s all celebrate PURIM & get rid of evil (Haman) – The Scroll of Esther has 10 Chapters. It was on 2.28.2018 I attended at the LORD’S REQUEST a PURIM Service, my first since 2000; the LORD directed my steps. The entire Book of Esther is read, one Reader per Chapter. The Rabbi of Mayim Rabim Congregation turned to me : “Monique, would you like to read the LAST CHAPTER?” I stepped up to the Bimah and read the short Chapter 10 quoting the 3 verses (3) Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes in our Bibles) , preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews”. That was my reading on 2.28.2018 – now 3 years later, (and with CORONA VIRUS creating mayhem around the world) may PURIM’s celebration on that same date 2.28. bring Peace / Shalom to All People… May the LORD have a sense of HUMOR and show us the way to SAVE all US, from East to West and North to South – Phil. 2:10-11 Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that JESUS / YESHUA is LORD… In Heaven, On Earth and Below the Earth. Amen.
The very near future will tell, but I am very inclined to say : “YES”! May there be another leader such as Mordecai to proclaim the TRUTH, the WAY, the LIGHT / LIFE to all people before the Earth falls into the abyss (Isaiah 66:1, 22-23). Therefore, may all say “YES” to YESHUA / JESUS and “NO” to sin ( & Satan aka Haman in the PURIM STORY). Shalom to JerUSAlem & the WORLD with YESHUA in the heart of all people. AMEN & AMEN & AMEN
Sorry abt the two posts – it looked like it did not got through so I shortened it… Don’t get confused. It’s not Spam.