“And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,”
Context: The book of Joshua records the events of the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, following the death of Moses. In this particular verse, Joshua is allocating the cities and their surrounding suburbs to the tribe of Reuben as part of their inheritance in the land.
Understanding the Tribe of Reuben: Reuben was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the eldest son of Leah. The tribe of Reuben settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River, along with the tribes of Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh. These tribes requested land on the east of the Jordan, as it was suitable for their livestock (Numbers 32:1-5).
Bezer and Jahazah: Joshua 21:36 mentions two cities-Bezer and Jahazah-along with their suburbs. These cities were assigned to the tribe of Reuben as part of their inheritance. Bezer was located in the territory of the Reubenites, east of the Jordan, and it served as one of the cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8). Jahazah was another city situated in the same region and was likely given to the tribe of Reuben to inhabit.
Importance of the Cities of Refuge: The mention of Bezer as one of the cities of refuge is significant. In ancient Israel, cities of refuge were designated for individuals who accidentally caused the death of someone else. These cities provided a place of safety for the person until their case could be heard and a judgment made (Numbers 35:6-15; Joshua 20:1-9). It demonstrated God’s concern for justice and mercy within the community.
Faithfulness in the Allocation of the Land: Throughout the book of Joshua, we see how Joshua meticulously allocated the Promised Land to each tribe according to God’s instructions. This reflects the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites and Joshua’s obedience in carrying out God’s commands. The detailed record of city assignments emphasizes the meticulous nature of the division of land and the significance of each tribe’s inheritance.
Lessons for Today: The division of land among the tribes of Israel can teach us several lessons. Firstly, it highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to His people. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of justice and mercy within a community, as seen in the provision of cities of refuge. Lastly, it reminds us of the significance of inheritance and how God provides for His people.
Overall, Joshua 21:36 demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His concern for justice within the community of Israel. It reminds us of the importance of honoring God’s instructions and the significance of receiving our inheritance from Him.
