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; {vi 6639-6640}Judges 5:15,16; {vi 9826-9827}2 Kings 10:32, 33; and 15:29 with 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.