mh_parser/vol_split/6 - Joshua/Chapter 13.xml

<div2 id="Jos.xiv" n="xiv" next="Jos.xv" prev="Jos.xiii" progress="6.52%" title="Chapter XIII">
<h2 id="Jos.xiv-p0.1">J O S H U A</h2>
<h3 id="Jos.xiv-p0.2">CHAP. XIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jos.xiv-p1">At this chapter begins the account of the dividing
of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel by lot, a
narrative not so entertaining and instructive as that of the
conquest of it, and yet it is thought fit to be inserted in the
sacred history, to illustrate the performance of the promise made
to the fathers, that this land should be given to the seed of
Jacob, to them and not to any other. The preserving of this
distribution would be of great use to the Jewish nation, who were
obliged by the law to keep up this first distribution, and not to
transfer inheritances from tribe to tribe, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.36.9" parsed="|Num|36|9|0|0" passage="Nu 36:9">Num. xxxvi. 9</scripRef>. It is likewise of use to us for
the explaining of other scriptures: the learned know how much light
the geographical description of a country gives to the history of
it. And therefore we are not to skip over these chapters of hard
names as useless and not to be regarded; where God has a mouth to
speak and a hand to write we should find an ear to hear an eye to
read; and God give us a heart to profit! In this chapter, I. God
informs Joshua what parts of the country that were intended in the
grant to Israel yet remained unconquered, and not got in
possession, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.1-Josh.13.6" parsed="|Josh|13|1|13|6" passage="Jos 13:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>. II.
He appoints him, notwithstanding, to make a distribution of what
was conquered, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.7" parsed="|Josh|13|7|0|0" passage="Jos 13:7">ver. 7</scripRef>. III.
To complete this account, here is a repetition of the distribution
Moses had made of the land on the other side Jordan; in general
(<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.8-Josh.13.14" parsed="|Josh|13|8|13|14" passage="Jos 13:8-14">ver. 8-14</scripRef>), in
particular, the lot of Reuben (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.15-Josh.13.23" parsed="|Josh|13|15|13|23" passage="Jos 13:15-23">ver. 15-23</scripRef>), of Gad (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.24-Josh.13.28" parsed="|Josh|13|24|13|28" passage="Jos 13:24-28">ver. 24-28</scripRef>), of the half tribe of
Manasseh, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.29-Josh.13.33" parsed="|Josh|13|29|13|33" passage="Jos 13:29-33">ver.
29-33</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Jos.xiv-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13" parsed="|Josh|13|0|0|0" passage="Jos 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jos.xiv-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.1-Josh.13.6" parsed="|Josh|13|1|13|6" passage="Jos 13:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.13.1-Josh.13.6">
<h4 id="Jos.xiv-p1.10">The Distribution of Canaan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xiv-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1445.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.xiv-p2">1 Now Joshua was old <i>and</i> stricken in
years; and the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xiv-p2.1">Lord</span> said unto him,
Thou art old <i>and</i> stricken in years, and there remaineth yet
very much land to be possessed.   2 This <i>is</i> the land
that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all
Geshuri,   3 From Sihor, which <i>is</i> before Egypt, even
unto the borders of Ekron northward, <i>which</i> is counted to the
Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the
Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites;
also the Avites:   4 From the south, all the land of the
Canaanites, and Mearah that <i>is</i> beside the Sidonians, unto
Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:   5 And the land of the
Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under
mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.   6 All the
inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim,
<i>and</i> all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the
children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites
for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p3">Here, I. God puts Joshua in mind of his old
age, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.1" parsed="|Josh|13|1|0|0" passage="Jos 13:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. 1. It is
said that Joshua was <i>old and stricken in years,</i> and he and
Caleb were at this time the only old men among the thousands of
Israel, none except them of all those who were numbered at Mount
Sinai being now alive. He had been a man of war from his youth
(<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.17.10" parsed="|Exod|17|10|0|0" passage="Ex 17:10">Exod. xvii. 10</scripRef>); but now
he yielded to the infirmities of age, with which it is in vain for
the stoutest to think of contesting. It should seem Joshua had not
the same strength and vigour in his old age that Moses had; all
that come to old age do not find it alike good; generally, the days
of old age are evil days, and such as there is no pleasure in, nor
expectation of service from. 2. God takes notice of it to him:
<i>God said to him, Thou art old.</i> Note, It is good for those
who are <i>old and stricken in years</i> to be put in remembrance
of their being so. Some have <i>gray hairs here and there upon
them, and perceive it not</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Hos.7.9" parsed="|Hos|7|9|0|0" passage="Ho 7:9">Hos. vii.
9</scripRef>); they do not care to think of it, and therefore need
to be told of it, that they may be quickened to do the work of
life, and make preparation for death, which is coming towards them
apace. But God mentions Joshua's age and growing infirmities, (1.)
As a reason why he should now lay by the thoughts of pursuing the
war; he cannot expect to see an end of it quickly, for there
remained much land, more perhaps than he thought, to be possessed,
in several parts remote from each other: and it was not fit that at
his age he should be put upon the fatigue of renewing the war, and
carrying it to such distant places; no, it was enough for him that
he had reduced the body of the country. "Let him be gathered to
rest with honour and the thanks of his people for the good services
he had done them, and let the conquering of the skirts of the
country be left for those that shall come after." As he had entered
into the labours of Moses, so let others enter into his, and bring
forth the top-stone, the doing of which was reserved for David long
after. Observe, God considers the frame of his people, and would
not have them burdened with work above their strength. It cannot be
expected that old people should do as they have done for God and
their country. (2.) As a reason why he should speedily apply
himself to the dividing of that which he had conquered. That work
must be done, and done quickly; it was necessary that he should
preside in the doing of it, and therefore, he being <i>old and
stricken in years,</i> and not likely to continue long, let him
make this his concluding piece of service to God and Israel. All
people, but especially old people, should set themselves to do that
quickly which must be done before they die, lest death prevent
them, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.9.10" parsed="|Eccl|9|10|0|0" passage="Ec 9:10">Eccl. ix. 10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p4">II. He gives him a particular account of
the land that yet remained unconquered, which was intended for
Israel, and which, in due time, they should be masters of if they
did not put a bar in their own door. Divers places are here
mentioned, some in the south, as the country of the Philistines,
governed by five lords, and the land that lay towards Egypt
(<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.2-Josh.13.3" parsed="|Josh|13|2|13|3" passage="Jos 13:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>), some
westward, as that which lay towards the Sidonians (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.4" parsed="|Josh|13|4|0|0" passage="Jos 13:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), some eastward, as all
Lebanon (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.5" parsed="|Josh|13|5|0|0" passage="Jos 13:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), some
towards the north, as that in the entering in of Hamath, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.5" parsed="|Josh|13|5|0|0" passage="Jos 13:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Joshua is told this, and
he made the people acquainted with it, 1. That they might be the
more affected with God's goodness to them in giving them this good
land, and might thereby be engaged to love and serve him; for, if
this which they had was too little, God would moreover <i>give them
such and such things,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.12.8" parsed="|2Sam|12|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 12:8">2 Sam. xii.
8</scripRef>. 2. That they might not be tempted to make any league,
or contract any dangerous familiarity with these their neighbours
so as to learn their way, but might rather be jealous of them, as a
people that kept them from their right and that they had just cause
of quarrel with. 3. That they might keep themselves in a posture
for war, and not think of putting off the harness so long as there
remained any land to be possessed. Nor must we lay aside our
spiritual armour, nor be off our watch, till our victory be
completed in the kingdom of glory.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p5">III. He promises that he would make the
Israelites masters of all those countries that were yet unsubdued,
though Joshua was old and not able to do it, old and not likely to
live to see it done. Whatever becomes of us, and however we may be
laid aside as despised broken vessels, God will do his own work in
his own time (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.6" parsed="|Josh|13|6|0|0" passage="Jos 13:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>):
<i>I will drive them out.</i> The original is emphatic: "<i>It is I
that will do it,</i> I that can do it when thou are dead and gone,
and will do it if Israel be not wanting to themselves." "I will do
it by my Word," so the Chaldee here, as in many other places, "by
the eternal Word, the captain of the hosts of the Lord." This
promise that he would drive them out from before the children of
Israel plainly supposes it as the condition of the promise that the
children of Israel must themselves attempt their extirpation, must
go up against them, else they could not be said to be driven out
before them; if afterwards Israel, through sloth, or cowardice, or
affection to these idolaters, sit still and let them alone, they
must blame themselves, and not God, if they be not driven out. We
must work out our salvation, and then God will work in us and work
with us; we must resist our spiritual enemies, and then God will
tread them under our feet; we must go forth to our Christian work
and warfare, and then God will go forth before us.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.xiv-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.7-Josh.13.33" parsed="|Josh|13|7|13|33" passage="Jos 13:7-33" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.13.7-Josh.13.33">
<p class="passage" id="Jos.xiv-p6">7 Now therefore divide this land for an
inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
  8 With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received
their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward,
<i>even</i> as Moses the servant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xiv-p6.1">Lord</span> gave them;   9 From Aroer, that
<i>is</i> upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that
<i>is</i> in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba
unto Dibon;   10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the
Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children
of Ammon;   11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites
and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
  12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in
Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants:
for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.   13
Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites,
nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell
among the Israelites until this day.   14 Only unto the tribe
of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xiv-p6.2">Lord</span> God of Israel made by fire <i>are</i>
their inheritance, as he said unto them.   15 And Moses gave
unto the tribe of the children of Reuben <i>inheritance</i>
according to their families.   16 And their coast was from
Aroer, that <i>is</i> on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city
that <i>is</i> in the midst of the river, and all the plain by
Medeba;   17 Heshbon, and all her cities that <i>are</i> in
the plain; Dibon, and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon,   18 And
Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,   19 And Kirjathaim, and
Sibmah, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the valley,   20 And
Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth,   21 And all
the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the
Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the
princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba,
<i>which were</i> dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.  
22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of
Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
  23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and
the border <i>thereof.</i> This <i>was</i> the inheritance of the
children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the
villages thereof.   24 And Moses gave <i>inheritance</i> unto
the tribe of Gad, <i>even</i> unto the children of Gad according to
their families.   25 And their coast was Jazer, and all the
cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto
Aroer that <i>is</i> before Rabbah;   26 And from Heshbon unto
Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of
Debir;   27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and
Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of
Heshbon, Jordan and <i>his</i> border, <i>even</i> unto the edge of
the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.   28
This <i>is</i> the inheritance of the children of Gad after their
families, the cities, and their villages.   29 And Moses gave
<i>inheritance</i> unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and <i>this</i>
was <i>the possession</i> of the half tribe of the children of
Manasseh by their families.   30 And their coast was from
Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all
the towns of Jair, which <i>are</i> in Bashan, threescore cities:
  31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the
kingdom of Og in Bashan, <i>were pertaining</i> unto the children
of Machir the son of Manasseh, <i>even</i> to the one half of the
children of Machir by their families.   32 These <i>are the
countries</i> which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the
plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.
  33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not <i>any</i>
inheritance: the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xiv-p6.3">Lord</span> God of Israel
<i>was</i> their inheritance, as he said unto them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p7">Here we have, I. Orders given to Joshua to
assign to each tribe its portion of this land, including that which
was yet unsubdued, which must be brought into the lot, in a
believing confidence that it should be conquered when Israel was
multiplied so as to have occasion for it (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.7" parsed="|Josh|13|7|0|0" passage="Jos 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <i>Now divide this land.</i>
Joshua thought all must be conquered before any must be divided.
"No," said, God, "there is as much conquered as will serve your
turn for the present; divide this, and make your best of it, and
wait for the remainder hereafter." Note, We must take the comfort
of what we have, though we cannot compass all we would have.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p8">1. The land must be divided among the
several tribes, and they must not always live in common, as now
they did. Which way soever a just property is acquired, it is the
will of that God who has given the earth to the children of men
that there should be such a thing, and that every man should know
his own, and not invade that which is another's. The world must be
governed, not by force, but right, by the law of equity, not of
arms.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p9">2. That it must be divided for an
inheritance, though they got it by conquest. (1.) The promise of it
came to them as an inheritance from their fathers; the land of
promise pertained to the children of promise, who were thus beloved
for their fathers' sakes, and in performance of the covenant with
them. (2.) The possession of it was to be transmitted by them, as
an inheritance to their children. Frequently, what is got by force
is soon lost again; but Israel, having an incontestable title to
this land by the divine grant, might see it hereby secured as an
inheritance to their seed after them, and that God kept this mercy
for thousands.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p10">3. That Joshua must not divide it by his
own will. Though he was a very wise, just, and good man, it must
not be left to him to give what he pleased to each tribe; but he
must do it by lot, which referred the matter wholly to God, and to
his determination, for he it is that appoints the bounds of our
habitation, and every man's judgment must proceed from him. But
Joshua must preside in this affair, must manage this solemn appeal
to Providence, and see that the lot was drawn fairly and without
fraud, and that every tribe did acquiesce in it. The lot indeed
<i>causeth contention to cease,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.18" parsed="|Prov|18|18|0|0" passage="Pr 18:18">Prov. xviii. 18</scripRef>. But, if upon this lot any
controversy should arise, Joshua by his wisdom and authority must
determine it, and prevent any ill consequences of it. Joshua must
have the honour of dividing the land, (1.) Because he had undergone
the fatigue of conquering it: and when, through his hand, each
tribe received its allotment, they would thereby be made the more
sensible of their obligations to him. And what a pleasure must it
needs be to a man of such a public spirit as Joshua was to see the
people that were so dear to him eating of the labour of his hands!
(2.) That he might be herein a type of Christ, who has not only
conquered for us the gates of hell, but has opened to us the gates
of heaven, and, having purchased the eternal inheritance for all
believers, will in due time put them all in possession of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p11">II. An account is here given of the
distribution of the land on the other side Jordan among the
Reubenites, and Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p12">1. How this account is introduced. It comes
in, (1.) As the reason why this land within Jordan must be divided
only to the nine tribes and a half, because the other two and a
half were already provided for. (2.) As a pattern to Joshua in the
work he had now to do. He had seen Moses distribute that land,
which would give him some aid in distributing this, and thence he
might take his measure; only this was to be done by lot, but it
should seem Moses did that himself, according to the wisdom given
unto him. (3.) As an inducement to Joshua to hasten the dividing of
this land, that the nine tribes and a half might not be kept any
longer than was necessary out of their possession, since their
brethren of the two tribes and a half were so well settled in
theirs; and God their common Father would not have such a
difference made between his children.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p13">2. The particulars of this account.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p14">(1.) Here is a general description of the
country that was given to the two tribes and a half, <i>which Moses
gave them, even as Moses gave them,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.8" parsed="|Josh|13|8|0|0" passage="Jos 13:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. The repetition implies a
ratification of the grant by Joshua. Moses settled this matter,
and, as Moses settled it, so shall it rest; Joshua will not, under
any pretence whatsoever, go about to alter it. And a reason is
intimated why he would not, because Moses was the servant of the
Lord, and acted in this matter by secret direction from him and was
faithful as a servant. Here we have, [1.] The fixing of the
boundaries of this country, by which they were divided from the
neighbouring nations, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.9-Josh.13.12" parsed="|Josh|13|9|13|12" passage="Jos 13:9-12"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>, &amp;c. Israel must know their own and keep to it,
and may not, under pretence of their being God's peculiar people,
encroach upon their neighbours, and invade their rights and
properties, to which they had a good and firm title by providence,
though not, as Israel, a title by promise. [2.] An exception of one
part of this country from Israel's possession, though it was in
their grant, namely, the Geshurites and the Maachathites, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.13" parsed="|Josh|13|13|0|0" passage="Jos 13:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. They had not leisure
to reduce all the remote and obscure corners of the country in
Moses's time, and afterwards they had no mind to it, being easy
with what they had. Thus those who are not straitened in God's
promises are yet straitened in their own faith, and prayers, and
endeavours.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p15">(2.) A very particular account of the
inheritances of these two tribes and a half, how they were
separated from each other, and what cites, with the towns,
villages, and fields, commonly known and reputed to be
appurtenances to them, belonged to each tribe. This is very fully
and exactly set down in order that posterity might, in reading this
history, be the more affected with the goodness of God to their
ancestors, when they found what a large and fruitful country, and
what abundance of great and famous cities, he put them in
possession of (God's grants look best when we descend to the
particulars); and also that the limits of every tribe being
punctually set down in this authentic record disputes might be
prevented, and such contests between the tribes as commonly happen
where boundaries have not been adjusted nor this matter brought to
a certainty. And we have reason to think that the register here
prescribed and published of the lot of each tribe was of great use
to Israel in after-ages, was often appealed to, and always
acquiesced in, for the determining of <i>meum</i> and
<i>tuum</i>—<i>mine</i> and <i>thine.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p16">[1.] We have here the lot of the tribe of
Reuben, Jacob's first-born, who, though he had lost the dignity and
power which pertained to the birthright, yet, it seems, had the
advantage of being first served. Perhaps those of that tribe had an
eye to this in desiring to be seated on that side Jordan, that,
since they could not expect the benefit of the best lot, they might
have the credit of the first. Observe, <i>First,</i> In the account
of the lot of this tribe mention is made of the slaughter, 1. Of
Sihon, king of the Amorites, who reigned in this country, and might
have kept it and his life if he would have been neighbourly, and
have suffered Israel to pass through his territories, but, by
attempting to oppose them, justly brought ruin upon himself,
<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.21.21-Num.21.25" parsed="|Num|21|21|21|25" passage="Nu 21:21-25">Num. xxi. 21</scripRef>, &amp;c. 2.
Of the princes of Midian, who were slain afterwards in another war
(<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.31.8" parsed="|Num|31|8|0|0" passage="Nu 31:8">Num. xxxi. 8</scripRef>), and yet are
here called <i>dukes of Sihon,</i> and are said to be <i>smitten
with him,</i> because they were either tributaries to him, or, in
his opposition to Israel, confederates with him, and hearty in his
interests, and his fall made way for theirs not long after. 3. Of
Balaam particularly, that would, if he could, have cursed Israel,
and was soon after recompensed <i>according to the wickedness of
his endeavour</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.28.4" parsed="|Ps|28|4|0|0" passage="Ps 28:4">Ps. xxviii.
4</scripRef>), for he fell with those that set him on. This was
recorded before (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.31.8" parsed="|Num|31|8|0|0" passage="Nu 31:8">Num. xxxi.
8</scripRef>), and is here repeated, because the defeating of
Balaam's purpose to curse Israel was the turning of that curse into
a blessing, and was such an instance of the power and goodness of
God as was fit to be had in everlasting remembrance. See <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:Mic.6.5" parsed="|Mic|6|5|0|0" passage="Mic 6:5">Mic. vi. 5</scripRef>. <i>Secondly,</i> Within
the lot of this tribe was that Mount Pisgah from the top of which
Moses took his view of the earthly Canaan and his flight to the
heavenly. And not far off thence Elijah was when he was fetched up
to heaven in a chariot of fire. The separation of this tribe from
the rest, by the river Jordan, was that which Deborah lamented; and
the preference they gave to their private interests above the
public was what she censured, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:Judg.5.15-Judg.5.16" parsed="|Judg|5|15|5|16" passage="Jdg 5:15,16">Judg.
v. 15, 16</scripRef>. In this tribe lay Heshbon and Sibmah, famed
for their fruitful fields and vineyards. See <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.16.8-Isa.16.9 Bible:Jer.47.32" parsed="|Isa|16|8|16|9;|Jer|47|32|0|0" passage="Isa 16:8,9,Jer 47:32">Isa. xvi. 8, 9; Jer. xlvii. 32</scripRef>.
This tribe, with that of Gad, was sorely shaken by Hazael king of
Syria (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.8" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.10.33" parsed="|2Kgs|10|33|0|0" passage="2Ki 10:33">2 Kings x. 33</scripRef>), and
afterwards dislodged and carried into captivity, twenty years
before the general captivity of the ten tribes by the king of
Assyria, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p16.9" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.5.26" parsed="|1Chr|5|26|0|0" passage="1Ch 5:26">1 Chron. v.
26</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p17">[2.] The lot of the tribe of Gad, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.24-Josh.13.28" parsed="|Josh|13|24|13|28" passage="Jos 13:24-28"><i>v.</i> 24-28</scripRef>. This lay north
of Reuben's lot; the country of Gilead lay in this tribe, so famous
for its balm that it is thought strange indeed if there be no balm
in Gilead, and the cities of Jabesh-Gilead and Ramoth-Gilead which
we often read of in scripture. Succoth and Penuel, which we read of
in the story of Gideon, were in this tribe; and that forest which
is called the <i>wood of Ephraim</i> (from the slaughter Jephthah
made there of the Ephraimites), in which Absalom's rebellious army
was beaten, while his father David lay at Mahanaim, one of the
frontier-cities of this tribe, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.26" parsed="|Josh|13|26|0|0" passage="Jos 13:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. Sharon, famous for roses, was
in this tribe. And within the limits of this tribe lived those
Gadarenes that loved their swine better than their Saviour, fitter
to be called <i>Girgashites</i> than <i>Israelites.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p18">[3.] The lot of the half-tribe of Manasseh,
<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.29-Josh.13.31" parsed="|Josh|13|29|13|31" passage="Jos 13:29-31"><i>v.</i> 29-31</scripRef>.
Bashan, the kingdom of Og, was in this allotment, famous for the
best timber, witness the oaks of Bashan—and the best breed of
cattle, witness the bulls and rams of Bashan. This tribe lay north
of Gad, reached to Mount Hermon, and had in it part of Gilead.
Mispeh was in this half-tribe, and Jephthah was one of its
ornaments; so was Elijah, for in this tribe was Thisbe, whence he
is called the Tishbite; and Jair was another. In the edge of the
tribe stood Chorazin, honoured with Christ's wondrous works, but
ruined by his righteous woe for not improving them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xiv-p19">[4.] Twice in this chapter it is taken
notice of that to the tribe of Levi <i>Moses gave no
inheritance</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.14 Bible:Josh.13.33" parsed="|Josh|13|14|0|0;|Josh|13|33|0|0" passage="Jos 13:14,33"><i>v.</i> 14,
33</scripRef>), for so God had appointed, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.20" parsed="|Num|18|20|0|0" passage="Nu 18:20">Num. xviii. 20</scripRef>. If they had been appointed to
a lot entire by themselves, Moses would have served them first, not
because it was his own tribe, but because it was God's; but they
must be provided for in another manner; their habitations must be
scattered in all the tribes, and their maintenance brought out of
all the tribes, and God himself was the portion both of their
inheritance and of their cup, <scripRef id="Jos.xiv-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.10.9 Bible:Deut.18.2" parsed="|Deut|10|9|0|0;|Deut|18|2|0|0" passage="De 10:9,18:2">Deut. x. 9; xviii. 2</scripRef>.</p>
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