It was time for Joshua to declare the inheritance of the tribe of Gad.
As we look at what happened to each of the twelve tribes of Israel over the many different times of history we begin to see a pattern. Most students of the bible come to understand that each of these tribes were distinguished by the mother of the original Son of Jacob from their tribe, their blessing from Jacob/Israel as he lay dying, and their blessing from Moses as he was dying. Each of these three important characteristics played out for the Tribe of Gad.
WELCOME
Thank you for joining us today in our COME AS A CHILD, every Thursday on-line bible study. We are walking through scripture together very slowly; taking in word-by-word and page-by-page observances from The Book of Joshua. Today we find ourselves studying Joshua Chapter Twelve.
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SOME OF GAD'S HISTORY
Gad was the son of Israel's wife named Zilpah. Zilpah was Leah's maidservant. Leah had named him Gad because that name meant "good fortune." Another meaning was "troops are coming." Gad; like many of his brothers, grew up to become a shepherd. He possessed many flocks and herds. He fathered seven sons.
Upon his death bed Israel had praise for Gad. He predicted that Gad would grow into a tribe of brave troops who would drive off raiders and pursue Israel's enemies.
PROPHECY PROVEN
We saw this prophecy come true as Joshua led the Israelites into conquering The Promised Land. The tribes of Reuben and Gad had asked Moses for the fertile, green rolling hills of the East Jordan where Israel had camped at before crossing the Jordan to take The Land of Canaan. The tribe of Gad; being shepherds and farmers, was very impressed with this side of the Jordan. They wanted to obtain it as their inheritance so that they could graze their many flocks in its valleys and hills.
At first Moses had disagreed; but Gad had promised if Moses would let them build fortified cities in this area, that they would send their army across with all the rest of Israel and fight the enemies of Israel until the battles over the land of Canaan had all been won. They even volunteered to be the troops in the front line; the ones that would lead in every battle. Moses agreed to this and Gad built up many cities and forts before joining in with the others to fight the long wars lead by Joshua to conquer the promised lands.
WAR FIRST; PEACE LATER
There were years and years of wars ahead for these mighty warriors of Gad before they could return to their wives and families and begin to become shepherds and farmers in that rich fertile land in the Transjordan territory east of the Jordan River. They probably dreamed of returning home before each battle. It took a long time to conquer the land of Canaan. The Gaddites paid heavily to obtain their choice of the lands of Israel's inheritance.
Before he died Moses had compared Gad to a lion. He predicted God's blessing over Gad, saying that God would enlarge Gad's territories.
THE ALTAR OF WITNESS
After many years of war for Israel; Gad returned to their inheritance on the other side of the Jordan River.
Joshua reminded them to keep all that God had commanded them to do. Many were afraid that history would be forgotten and the river would be too much of a divider between Gad and the other tribes of Israel. To remind them not to let this happen Gad participated in the building of a special altar (not one for sacrifice and worship; but one for remembrance) which would remind them to always stay united as one nation called Israel.
This altar was said to be "a witness between us." "Us" meaning the tribes on the other side of the river Jordan that divided Israel and the other ten tribes who inherited the land in Canaan. They called this altar The Altar of Witness. It was to remind all of Israel that The Lord is God.
LATER HISTORY OF FIGHTING WITH DAVID
Though the tribe of Gad returned to their life of peaceful shepherds after the times of Joshua; God called them again at a later time to once more become warriors for Israel. This happened in the days of King David when he was forced to hide out in the wilderness and established a hideout and stronghold in Gilead. The men of Gad joined forces with David there and fought with him and his mighty men to win many victories for Israel.
FORGETTING TO REMEMBER
The tribe of Gad eventually forgot to remember the altar of witness. Many generations later in 930 BC they formed a separate kingdom with King Jeroboam. In 721 BC the tribe of Gad along with the others of this kingdom were captured, dispersed and assimilated by Assyria. Gad became one of The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.
IN THE DAYS TO COME
There is still a prophecy given over Gad by Ezekiel that will happen one day. Ezekiel proclaimed that The Gate of Gad will be one of the three southern gates of Jerusalem. Gad will have one portion that will border the territory of Zebulun from east to west.
Returning to the time of our study; Joshua blessed Gad and sent them back across the Jordan River to their wives and children who were living in the cities they had designed before the war. It was now time for them to enjoy the fruits of their labor and to be peaceful settlers in a land of plenty.
I'm sure Gad was excited about the future that God had laid before them.
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