1 Chronicles 5:1-26

This chapter continues to list the descendants of the children on Israel according to their various tribes.  We see some distinctive characteristics about the three tribes described in today’s text.  These were the tribes that preferred to stay on the other side of the Jordan because they had large numbers of flocks and the land on the east side of the Jordan was, in their estimation, more suitable to the raising of these flocks.  These three tribes are together geographically, but there are contrasts that we can see between them and from which we would do well to learn.

THE DESCENDANTS OF RUBEN: We are reminded in the text of the fact that Ruben was the first of the sons born to Jacob.  As the first born son, he had the right to a double portion of the inheritance.  However, Ruben had been unfaithful and he slept with one of his father’s concubines and so his birthright was taken from him and given to Joseph.  Ruben is cursed by Jacob and there are no significant leaders who come out of this tribe.  The consequences of sin are very grave and we must be careful not to think about the pleasures of sin but be ever mindful of the heartache that sin leaves behind.  Ruben could have been one of the greatest names in the history of his people; instead he and his tribe are one of the most obscure.

THE DESCENDANTS OF GAD: This tribe also decided to stay on the east side of the Jordan, but of the three tribes who did so, Gad seems to be the strongest and godliest of the group.  The tribe had many strong warriors and they sent them into battle to not only conquer their own land but also help all of the other tribes gain a foothold into their inheritance.  These valiant warriors seem to have a desire to serve and worship the Lord and in times of trouble they did not make the mistake of trusting in their own strength, but they cry out to the Lord.  We must learn to trust the Lord and depend on His strength when we face difficult days.

THE DESCENDANTS OF MANASSEH: Joseph was a very godly man, but the tribe that came from his son Manasseh was not a godly tribe.  They were blessed in terms of the size of their tribe, but they did not follow the Lord.  This tribe was the most idolatrous in the nation and was the source of great persecution that came upon the three tribes that stayed on the east side of the Jordan.  Sin always claims to be an expression of personal liberty but it always leads to captivity.  Men who want freedom to sin will usually become enslaved to that sin.  The tribe seems to have become proud because of its large size, but it turned from God and became a source of great pain instead of pride.