“And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.”
Context:Joshua 13 is a chapter that describes the distribution of the conquered land among the Israelite tribes. After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and they began to conquer and possess the territory as instructed by God.
Geography and Division of Land:In this verse, the focus is on the division of land among the children of Machir, who was a descendant of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The verse mentions several cities: Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, which were part of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. This region was situated to the east of the Jordan River and was one of the areas conquered by the Israelites.
Inheritance of the Children of Machir:The portion of land being allocated to the children of Machir is specified as half of Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei. This division of land was based on familial lines, indicating that the inheritance was distributed among the families of Machir’s descendants.
Significance:The distribution of land was a significant event because it marked the fulfilment of God’s promise to the Israelites to give them the land of Canaan as their inheritance. The division of the land among the tribes and families ensured that each tribe received its allotted portion, fulfilling the covenant made with their forefathers.
Faithfulness and God’s Promises:This verse serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. God had promised to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and now, in the time of Joshua, they were seeing those promises come to fruition. It demonstrates God’s faithfulness to keep His word and fulfil His covenant even after many years had passed.
Application:Joshua 13:31 reminds us of the importance of recognising and acknowledging God’s faithfulness in our lives. Just as God fulfilled His promises to the Israelites, He remains faithful to His promises today. We can trust that God will fulfil His promises in His perfect timing, even if it seems delayed or uncertain to us. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God is always working out His plans and purposes for our lives.
Overall, Joshua 13:31 highlights the distribution of land to the children of Machir, emphasising God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It reminds us of the importance of recognising God’s faithfulness in our lives and trusting in His perfect timing.
