Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you,.... And by it separated them from them, as if they were a distinct people; not that this was really the case, but so they feared it would be represented in time to come; for though Jordan was the border of the land of Canaan, strictly so called, eastward, Numbers 34:12; yet it did not exclude the land of the two tribes and a half from being part of the land of promise; for the Amorites, which before inhabited it, and were driven out of it, were Canaanites, and were one part of the people, whose land the Lord promised to Abraham, Genesis 15:18,

ye children of Reuben, and children of Gad, have no part in the Lord; in his covenant and promises, in his worship, word, and ordinances; these are things you have nothing to do with, being separated from us his peculiar people; or "have no part in the Word of the Lord", as the Targum, the promised Messiah, being without, or separated from him, as the Gentiles are said to be, Ephesians 2:12,

so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lord; from worshipping the Lord, the fear of the Lord being often put for the whole worship of God, external and internal, Ecclesiastes 12:13; by behaving in the above manner towards them, they would be the cause and occasion of their apostasy from the true God, and it would be in effect to say to them, "go, serve other gods", 1 Samuel 26:19.

Geneva Study Bible

(o) Or, to turn back from the true God.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.

A border — To shut you out of the land of promise, and consequently from the covenant made between God and our fathers.

No part — Nothing to do with him; no right to serve him or expect favour from him.

Cease from fearing the Lord — For they that are cut off from public ordinances, usually by degrees lose all religion. It is true, the form and profession of godliness, may be kept without the life and power of it. But the life and power will not long be kept, without the form and profession of it.

Scofield's Reference Notes

fearing

(See Scofield "Psalms 19:9").

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

ONE THOUGH DIVIDED

‘The Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you.’

Joshua 22:25

The special subject of the Lesson is the readiness with which the two-and-a-half tribes met and responded to the claims of the brotherhood. In this setting us an example of ‘not looking only on our own things, but looking also on the things of others.’ We may, however, give attention to the whole incident connected with their settlement east of Jordan.

I. Were the two-and-a-half tribes right or wrong in interfering with the Mosaic arrangement?—In thinking this out, we must make due account of the following points:—(1) The land given by God to the children of Israel was not limited to the west bank of Jordan. (2) The north-eastern limit being the river Euphrates, suggests the occupation of the country east of Jordan. (3) Moses naturally thought of getting the people into the ordinarily recognised Canaan. (4) Divine Providence worked out a larger thought than Moses cherished. (5) These particular tribes, keeping to their earlier custom of feeding animals, were more fitted for a wide pastoral country, than for land which must be highly farmed because so sub-divided. (6) The narrative gives no sign of their making their request in a bad spirit. So we may say that, though this idea had not been thought of by Moses, it was in the plan of God, and brought about by the overrulings of Divine Providence.

II. Did they estimate the dangers involved in their choice?—Probably not. Honestly intending to be faithful to the nation, and to Jehovah, they could not realise how the practical separation would influence later generations. Nor could they see how exposed they would be to surrounding foes, when the kingdom across the Jordan became unfaithful, and so became disunited and weak. Close association with religious people, and religious worship, is a more important help to the godly life than we usually estimate. It is perilous work to ‘forsake the assembling of ourselves together.’

III. How did their choice of territory prove to be for the good of their brethren?—They became a protecting border country. The tribes that were accustomed to make inroads into Canaan had to approach Canaan through the territory of these tribes.

IV. Explain the moral test applied to these two and-a-half tribes by Moses.—Did they want to separate themselves from responsibility and privilege, or were they willing still to link their fortunes with God’s people? That could be seen by their consenting to take a fair share of the fatigue and danger of the enterprise that was before them. See how character was tested, and how well it stood the test. These men were not wanting to secure some special good for themselves, and shirk their duty. In good judgment they fixed on the countries unexpectedly seized from Sihon and Og; and in a thoroughly honourable way asked for it. We may never get for ourselves save upon due consideration of the claims others may have upon us. Those who are in any way advanced beyond others are bound to help the others on. These tribes gained their homes first, then they were bound to help their brethren to secure their homes as speedily as possible. The worldly idea is, Get the best you can, and let others do the best they can. The unworldly idea is, Make your own success the means of helping others on. Show the danger of the self-seeking spirit. From the Christian point of view, ‘my brother’ stands before, or at least, close up alongside, ‘I myself.’

Illustrations

(1) ‘The one bond that knits all divisions of God’s people together, however different their modes of life and thought, is the similarity of relation to God. They are one in a common faith, a common love, a common obedience. Wider waters than Jordan part them. Graver differences of tasks and outlooks than separated these two sections of Israel part them. But all are one who love and obey the one Lord. The closer we cleave to Him the nearer we shall be to all the tribes.’

(2) ‘He that knows all things and hates all evil things would not punish the worst of criminals, but He would first go down and see (Genesis 18:21). Many an unhappy strife would be prevented or soon taken up by an impartial and favourable inquiry into that which is the matter of the offence. The rectifying of mistakes and misunderstandings and the setting of misconstrued words and actions in a true light, would be the most effectual way to accommodate both private and public quarrels, and bring them to a happy period.’

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Joshua 22:25 For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.

Ver. 25. So shall your children, &c.] This their care of posterity’s spiritual good, was very commendable and imitable. But

“ Eργμασιν εν μεγαλοις πασιν αδειν χαλεπαν.”

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

A border between us and you, to shut you out of the Land. of Promise, and consequently from thee covenant made, between God and our father.

Ye have no part in the Lord; nothing to do with him; no right to serve him or expect favour from him. See the like phrase 2 Samuel 20:1 Ezra 4:3 John 13:8.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.

For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ... The country west of Jordan was, strictly speaking, he promised inheritance, the holy land. And, according, a remarkable difference was created in the feelings, as well as the language, of the Hebrews in regard to the country which lay east, and that which was situated on the west of the Jordan. The latter was always considered more sacred even by the eastern tribes themselves.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

ye have

27; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16; Ezra 4:2,3; Nehemiah 2:20; Acts 8:21

make

1 Samuel 26:19; 1 Kings 12:27-30; 14:16; 15:30