Let's Find Hidden Pearls (10 min.)
Jos 13: 2, 5. Did the people of Israel ultimately receive “the land of the Gebalites”? (it-1 1054).
It seems not, because the biblical record says that Jehovah included "the land of the Gebalites" among the regions that Israel had yet to conquer in the days of Joshua. Due to this many critics and some scholars have interpreted that there is an incoherence in the exact place where this city was located or they say that the Hebrew text could be damaged and that the story said at first "the land next to Lebanon" or "until the frontier of the Gebalites ». However, it should not be overlooked that Jehovah's promises recorded in Joshua 13: 2-7 were conditional in nature. If this detail is taken into account, then Israel did not conquer Gebal for his disobedience.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Originally Jehovah had included the land of Gebal among the peoples to be conquered. Apparently it never came under Israeli rule. And that is the reason that some critics have interpreted it as an incoherence, because the city of Guebal was located far to the North of Israel.
Some scholars have pointed out that the Hebrew text may be corrupted in this verse, and that the account originally said "the land next to Lebanon" or "to the border of the Gebalites." It should be noted that this command from Jehovah was conditional. Hence, Israel never conquered Guebal because of its disobedience.
What spiritual pearls have you found about Jehovah, the ministry, and other topics in this week's Bible reading?
Joshua 12: 7,24. Joshua and the Israelites fulfilled "the goal of conquering the land of Canaan." At first, the goal of defeating 31 Canaanite kings may have seemed unattainable, but they trusted in Jehovah and achieved their goal for the glory of the Creator. This teaches me: that we can all set goals in any field of life, but we know that "spiritual goals" are the most important and bring glory to Jehovah, so when we go after them we must make sure that our motivation is pure as well. We will not lose sight of the prize that is eternal life, but above all we will glorify our God Jehovah.
Joshua 13: 5. The city Guebal was a town that left us a great legacy, the Greeks called it "Biblos", famous for being the distribution center of papyrus, the writing material in which the name of the most important book in history comes from: the Bible. This teaches me: how interesting and beneficial it is to investigate and know the origin and meaning of the word "Bible." It makes us trust that Jehovah uses this material to preserve his word and confirms the authenticity of the Christian Greek Scriptures, so let us value these “Inspired Writings” because they are a sure guide that leads us to eternal life.
Joshua 14: 6,12,13. The men of Judah and Caleb approached the representative of Jehovah, Joshua and made a request, he was approachable, “heeded them” and granted their request. This teaches me: that in imitation of Joshua, Christian overseers should be approachable, "pay attention" when someone comes to them with a request or problem. They should not give the impression that they are too busy to downplay what is being asked of them. By paying attention and acting in harmony with divine standards, you are "taking the lead in showing honor to one another."
Joshua 12:24. In all there were "31 kings" who were defeated by Joshua and the Israelites. Just as Jehovah had promised they were victorious. With this he demonstrated his ability to cause extermination to all opponents. This teaches me: and, it is a reminder of what Jehovah will do to all "the kings of the earth" who oppose his Heavenly Government. As he has promised: the destruction he will do will be selective, since Jehovah has the ability to destroy only those who really are against him, on the other hand, for faithful servants it means liberation and blessings as it was in the case of Israel .
Joshua 13: 9. Archeology has found in a stone called the Moabite Stela, the names of places mentioned in the Bible as: Arnold, Aroer, Medeba and Dibon. This teaches me: that these ancient and man-made manuscript discoveries show us that the Bible is historically geographically reliable down to the smallest detail. Although archeology supports the truthfulness of the word of God, we are convinced that in itself there is irrefutable evidence that it is indeed the "word of the living and lasting God, Jehovah."
Joshua 13: 1.6,7. Although Joshua was of legal age, he had to do the important task of apportioning the land to the tribes of Israel. What it meant: work, both for him and for the Israelites. This teaches me: that in the new world it will be the same, we should not think that it will be a boring or lazy world, we will all have useful and abundant work, Jehovah will assign qualified men to distribute the earth and we will all participate in the gigantic project of beautify it and transform it into a literal Paradise. Without a doubt, we will be happy because we will have rewarding work and serve Jehovah.
Joshua 14: 5. The Israelites "divided the land" as Jehovah had commanded, He gave each tribe of Israel a portion in the Promised Land. This Teaches me: that Jehovah will do the same when he "divides the land" to his faithful servants in the new world. The ancient Promised Land was a foretaste of the paradise to come. When Jehovah gives a portion of paradise to obedient humans, we will feel free and confident to be able to inspect all the "rooms and corners of the earth" and, with an added bonus, because we will have "eternity to do so."
Joshua 12: 7,14. When Israel was still led by Moses it approached the limits of Canaan and was attacked by the king of Arad and his army. The people of Israel gave that district entirely to destruction and called it "Hormá," which means "A giving entirely to destruction." However, the Israelites did not then occupy that land. This was not the time to do it. Sometimes there are situations worldwide that can give the appearance that we have reached the end and we begin to speculate. However, we can be sure that everything will happen at the time that Jehovah has designated to happen after all that is written in his Word is fulfilled.
Joshua 13:24, 25. When Jacob gave the blessings to his sons, he said that Gad that marauding parties would attack them and because of the location of the lands received as an inheritance in the promised land that would happen like this. However, they were not afraid, they did not choose to live in the highlands of the E. to avoid fighting for the land of Canaan. Today we must be courageous and avoid difficult situations because of our service to Jehovah. We want to continue defending the truth, whether through preaching, our conduct or speech, and know how to say no to any activity that goes against our friendship with Jehovah.
Joshua 14: 1. Joshua spent six years subjugating the land of Canaan and they were assigning the territory that Jehovah so decided and the Israelites finally came to have something that belonged to them and could live in peace while serving Jehovah. During the reign of 1000 years each servant of Jehovah and their families will receive the portions of land that will help to have what is necessary to produce food and enjoy the surroundings, without a doubt everything that is received will be what rejoices the heart.
Joshua 14:10, 11. Despite Caleb's age, he was able to begin cleaning up these massive men. His nephew Judge Otniel managed to cleanse those lands of these giants and later make Hebron one of the cities of refuge, all this started because Caleb fully followed Jehovah. If each of us sees as a goal to fully serve Jehovah, we will not see any situation, however complicated it may be from a human point of view, to make us loyal to Jehovah. In addition, we will set an example for others and amazing results will be achieved that will demonstrate the love we have for our God.
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