Bible Discussion Thread

The land was distributed among Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh as agreed in the wilderness. But the men of these tribes were commanded to accompany all their brethren into the rest of Canaan to conquer and subdue it for their possession as a nation. Their wives, children, and livestock could remain in the cities they conquered east of the Jordan, though. the cities there were walled and fortified by the Amorites they displaced, so their families would live in safety while they went to war with the other tribes. They could return when the rest of the nation had completed the campaign of taking possession and had rest at last.

God encourages Johsua, reminding him of how God had brought the victories for His people so profoundly and to therefore have courage and not fear as he takes the lead in bringing the people over the Jordan. God promises to fight for them and the promise to take possession will be fulfilled by the hand of God.

It is always a good thing to recall all of the ways God has helped us in our life, in the lives of other believers we know, and in the lives of people in biblical history. The faithfulness of God over the ages and in the present encourages us and gives us boldness to trust in His promises and in the strength that He will give us to face the giants in our lives.

After all of this, Moses turns to the LORD and asks to be allowed to enter the land and view it all the way to Lebanon. But it says that God was angry that Moses asked Him this, saying, essentially, Enough! do not speak of this any more to me, you will not go into the land. But says that Moses will go up mt. Pisgah and will be able to view the whole of the land from their. God did the same thing with Abraham in Gn. 13:14.

The chapter ends with God telling Moses to encourage and strengthen Joshua as he would be the one to enter the land with the people and take possession as its military captain and spiritual leader.

And then they abode at Beth-Peor.