1 Chronicles 5

Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh occupy the fifth chapter. These last, unwilling to make their homes in the promised land, but content to stop short of the Jordan, were the first of Israel to be made captives, and carried away when the nation fell deeply into sin.

It is always a dangerous thing for the believer to stop short of the blessing of a walk with God. The world tempts, and the enemy whispers, "Be broadminded, be liberal; you must make your way in this world," and other deceitful suggestions, which the unstable readily listen to. Are there not enough solemn warnings of the danger of living-at a distance from God, in His Word?

Concerning the history of the two and one-half tribes who would not make their dwelling beyond the Jordan, entirely clear of the world around, the reader will find much to profit him in a study of Numbers 82; Joshua. 22; Judges 5:15,16¹⁵And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. ¹⁶Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. (Judges 5:15‑16); 2 Kings 10:32, 33³²In those days the Lord began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel; ³³From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan. (2 Kings 10:32‑33); and 15:29 with 1 Chronicles 5:26,²⁶And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day. (1 Chronicles 5:26) remembering that this part of the nation was carried away into captivity 18 years before the remaining tribes of Israel, and 140 years before Judah fell.

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