Numbers 32 records the request of certain tribes to be given land on the east side of the Jordan rather than on the west side in Canaan. Initially, the tribes making this request are Reuben and Gad. The land they desired was what had been taken from the Amorite king Sihon and Og, king of Bashan. The reason for this was that these tribes saw that their agricultural needs would be satisfied there; it was a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock (v4).
Additionally, they indicated they would not
need to cross over the Jordan (v5). This
alarmed Moses, that two and a half tribes (eventually half the tribe of
Manasseh would also settle there) would not go to war with the other nine and a
half. All twelve tribes had, of course,
been involved in the battles with Sihon and Og.
Thus, Moses confronted them about this (32:6-15). The response of Reuben and Gad (32:16-19) was
that they would build shelters for their livestock, and that their military men
would then go with the others into Canaan.
They would be part of the national military until such time as the other
tribes received their inherited land.
Moses agreed to this (32:20-27) and gave Eleazer and Joshua instructions
accordingly (32:28-32).
Reuben and Gad settled their cities so those
remaining there would have protection.
The descendents of Manasseh’s firstborn son, Machir, then settled the
land of Bashan (the Golan Heights today).
The other six sons of Manasseh (Josh. 17:2) would later receive an
inheritance on the west side of the Jordan.
The accompanying map (labeled #40) shows all the tribal areas.
Numbers 33 is a
record of all the “resting places” of the people of Israel during their forty
years of wandering. For the most part
the locations of these places are not known for sure, although there is enough
knowledge to create disagreements about the exact route of the Exodus, as the
attached map (labeled #29) indicates. To
me, the very existence of a list like this shows a desire to establish the fact
of the Exodus.
·
33:7: “Baal Zephon.” Baal is the Phoenician word for “lord”. Zephon is the word “north.” Thus, Baal Zephon is “Lord of the North.” Migdol is the term for “tower.” It generally refers to a protective tower
that a city might have or that might be found in a field where people can run
to if an enemy is approaching. Several
OT stories involve these towers.
·
33:33-34: There is a place today, about 20 miles
north of Eilat (Ezion Geber, 33:35), called Yotvada. There is a spring there so it could have been
a campsite for Israel. But as is often
the case, it may or may not have been Jotbathah.
·
33:52: High places is the term “bamah.” These were locations for worship of false
gods. Again, in the OT historical books
(Kings, Chronicles) these places are a constant temptation to Israel and her
worship of the true God.
There is one
additional note on Num. 33 after the two maps.
·
33:50-55: The instructions for the people of
Israel, upon entering the land, were that they drive out, destroy, dispossess
and dwell. Failure to do these things
would result in constant irritation and harassment for Israel. “Irritants” is like a tooth-pick in your
eye. “Harass” is the same word used in
Psalm 129:1-2 translated “afflicted.” Many
times they have afflicted me from my youth, let Israel say; many times they
have afflicted me from my youth. It
was so true. They did not drive out,
destroy and dispossess; and thus Israel could not get past the idolatry of
their neighbors. In the NT we have the
same concept with respect to the sanctification of the believer. For if you live according to the flesh you
will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live (Rom. 8:13). It is being
conformed to His death (Phil. 3:10).
If we are not this “drastic” about the eradication of the flesh we will not
be conformed to His death!
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