Joshua 12:1-24 & Joshua 13:1-7
Q.1. To whom was the territory east of the Jordan river given? Under what conditions? How extensive was the territory? – (Josh.12:1-6 c.f. Num.32:1-33)
Under Moses, Israel claimed a large territory beyond (i.e. east of) the Jordan River. It was about half the size of the Promised Land. The nations, their kings and descriptions of the land were documented (Josh.12:1-5). This land, Moses had given – … to the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh as a possession (Josh.12:6). It was promised on the condition that these tribes help the rest of Israel subdue the inhabitants of Canaan (Num.32:20-33).
Q.2. How successful was the conquest of the Promised Land? Which tribes inherited this territory? Under what conditions? – (Josh.12:7-24 c.f. Num.33:54; Josh.14:1-3)
After the conquest of the Promised Land west of the Jordan River by Joshua, this territory was divided amongst the remaining tribes of Israel (Josh.12:7). It included thirty-one kings and their kingdoms (Josh.12:24). They were to destroy these nations and their gods and evil practices, so Israel would not be drawn away from the Lord (c.f. Josh.11:20).
Q.3. Was Joshua able to complete the conquest of the land before it was distributed? Which tribes inherited the land? (Josh.13:1-7 c.f. Exo.23:29-33)
God had told Moses before entering the Promised Land – 29 I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate, and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 30 I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land. 31 I will fix your boundary from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River Euphrates; for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. 32 You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. 33 They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you (Ex.23:29-33). We read a generation later – Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and much of the land remains to be possessed (Josh.13:1). Nevertheless, this was the land of promise and was the inheritance of the nine and half tribes of Israel. Joshua was commanded to apportion it out even before the land was totally free of the enemy – 6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon as far as Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians, I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel; only allot it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you. 7 Now therefore, apportion this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Josh.13:6-7).