The Story

Primary

We must have the map before us which shows the Jordan River and the country to the east. The valley through which the Jordan runs is a deep gorge, at the Sea of Galilee six hundred and twenty-seven feet below the Mediterranean, at the Dead Sea twice that depth. At Jericho there are wide, sunny meadows on both sides of the river, some eight miles across between the high bluffs on the east and west. Seen from the hills of Canaan the country beyond Jordan looks like a purple wall, with here and there a large valley breaking down to the meadows. Show me where the Arnon runs into the Dead Sea in the middle of its eastern shore, and where the Jabbok meets the Jordan half way between the two seas.

Some of the people of Israel, who had many sheep and cattle, wanted to live in this fine pasture country east of Jordan. When they told Moses their wish, he was afraid that if they stayed outside the land all the people would again be discouraged as they had been at Kadesh; but the men promised that they would leave their families and their flocks in this country east of Jordan and would go before their brethren, armed, and help them get possession of their land; then they would come back and live in the country which they had chosen. They were told to do so, to help their brethren first, and then they might come back to their own homes.

What tribes were these which were given homes east of Jordan? On my map I find the name Reuben by the Dead Sea along its northern part. That was one of the tribes. Moving north I find Gad in the land of Gilead; that was another tribe. They were given the country from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee. Still further north in the old land of Bashan I find the name Manasseh; that was another tribe. But see, here is the name Manasseh on the west of Jordan right in the middle of the land of Canaan: Yes, half the tribe of Manasseh chose a home outside the land and the other half found a home in the land. What tribes then had homes given them east of Jordan? Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. As we read on in our story, we find that they kept their promise and helped their brethren as they had agreed to do and came back with a blessing to their homes.

Our story has to do with the country east of Jordan. Learn what you can from maps and descriptions about the physical features of this country. A raised map or a picture of a raised map will help you. See the deep Jordan valley and the upland pastures. Notice the deep cuts made by a few fine streams, the Arnon at the middle of the Dead Sea, the Jabbok half way between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee, and the Yarmuk just south of the Sea of Galilee. Think of groves of trees in Gilead about the Jabbok, and fine oaks and cattle in Bashan.

How was this country occupied when the children of Israel came? Read Num. 21:12-35. They found Moab living south of the Arnon, for the Amorites, their neighbors on the north, had lately driven them southward and made the Arnon their boundary. From the Arnon to the Jabbok the children of Israel found the Amorites and their king Sihon, and conquered them. North of the Jabbok they conquered Og, king of Bashan, and took his land.

Now what was the wish of the children of Israel about this land east of Jordan? Why did Moses at first fear to grant their request? What did they agree to do which brought them leave to settle east of Jordan? Did Joshua, after Moses' death, remember this agreement? (Josh. 1:12-15) And was it finally carried out? (Josh. 22:1-6)

What tribes settled east of Jordan? (Num. 32:33) Your map may help you. Reuben? Yes, where did they settle? Gad? Yes, where was their home? Manasseh? Yes, half the tribe of Manasseh. Where did the other half find a home? Inside and outside the land together, what a large allotment was given to this tribe! Who were they? Who was Manasseh? One of Joseph's sons; and Ephraim was his brother. Remember how Jacob loved Joseph, how he blessed these sons in Egypt and gave them a place among his own sons. (Gen. 48)

Do you remember whether the Gospels tell us that our Lord ever visited this east of Jordan country?

1. Draw me two little maps showing the Jordan river and the Dead Sea, and two brooks coming from the east. On one of these maps show four nations which the children of Israel found in the country east of Jordan. On the other map show how the country was divided among the tribes.

2. What kind of country was it east of Jordan? Why did some of the children of Israel wish to live there?

3. What is said in the New Testament about the country beyond the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan?

Spiritual Study

What is represented by this country beyond Jordan; for the Jordan in a strict sense was the boundary of the land of Canaan? Canaan represents a spiritual or heavenly life. Then this country beyond the border must represent good natural states of interest in natural knowledge and enjoyment in natural pleasures and occupations. The people desired this country on account of their cattle. The cattle, especially the cows and oxen for which Bashan was famous, represent affection for natural pleasures and usefulness. Can we see now what is meant by permission given to some of the tribes to make their home outside the promised land, and by the requirement that the men should go first before their brethren and subdue the land of Canaan? Then they might return and enjoy their homes in this country. External pleasures and activities, rest and recreation, are good and are pleasing to the Lord when they are made helpful to the spiritual life. You will keep in mind this story when you read in the Gospels of the Lord's crossing the Sea of Galilee to this farther shore, first to cast out devils from people who were possessed, and then to bless the loaves and fishes; and when you learn of His ministry in the beyond-Jordan country in connection with His last journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. (A. 4255; E. 440)

Perhaps we may carry our study a little further and think of the meaning of the tribes who were given homes outside the land. Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob. His name relates to "sight," and this tribe represents a first knowledge of heavenly things. Reuben’s lot outside the land reminds us that knowledge is not in itself heavenly, though it introduces to a heavenly life. The mountain from which Moses saw the land, though he was not allowed to enter, was in the tribe of Reuben. (E. 434; R. 351)

Gad means a "troop," and the tribe represents strength in good works, but of a natural and self-confident kind. It may help us to remember the kind of goodness represented by Gad to think that it was probably in that same country beyond Jordan that the rich young man met the Lord and said, "All these (commandments) have I kept from my youth." It was an external kind of goodness, not free from self-confidence. Yet it is said that the Lord looking upon him loved him. (Mark 10:17-23; E. 435; R. 352)

Manasseh was the elder son of Joseph. Joseph himself represents a very heavenly development of loving nearness to the Lord. His two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, represent goodness and truth on the practical plane of life derived from this spiritual source. The fact that they stand upon the plane of practical life is represented by their adoption among Jacob's sons; but they are from a higher source, and the greater value placed upon goodness and truth from this higher source seems to be suggested by the large assignment given to these tribes, especially to Manasseh with assignments both inside and outside the borders of the holy land. (A. 4117; E. 440; R. 355)

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