Joshua 13:13 Study Bible: Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day.

◄ Joshua 13:13 ►

but the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites. So Geshur and Maacath dwell among the Israelites to this day.

Study Bible

but the Israelites did not drive out
This phrase highlights a recurring theme in the Book of Joshua and throughout the Old Testament: the incomplete obedience of the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "drive out" is "yarash," which means to dispossess or take possession. The Israelites were commanded by God to completely remove the inhabitants of the land to avoid being influenced by their idolatrous practices. This failure to fully obey God's command foreshadows future struggles and conflicts, as the presence of these groups would lead to spiritual and cultural compromises.

the Geshurites or the Maacathites
The Geshurites and Maacathites were small, neighboring kingdoms located in the northern part of the Promised Land. Historically, Geshur was situated in the region of Bashan, east of the Sea of Galilee, while Maacah was likely located near the modern-day Golan Heights. These groups were not large or powerful, yet their continued presence among the Israelites represents the subtle but significant impact of incomplete obedience. The Geshurites are later mentioned in the context of King David, whose wife Maacah was a daughter of the king of Geshur, indicating ongoing interactions and alliances.

So Geshur and Maacath dwell among the Israelites
The phrase "dwell among" suggests a coexistence that was not part of God's original plan for the Israelites. The Hebrew word "yashab" means to sit, remain, or dwell, indicating a settled presence. This coexistence would have led to cultural and religious exchanges that were contrary to the distinct identity God intended for His people. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes, and the presence of these foreign groups posed a threat to their spiritual purity and commitment to Yahweh.

to this day
This phrase underscores the lasting consequences of the Israelites' failure to fully obey God's command. The expression "to this day" is often used in the Old Testament to indicate that the situation described persisted for a significant period, even up to the time of the writing. It serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of disobedience and the importance of complete faithfulness to God's instructions. For the original audience, this would have been a call to reflection and repentance, recognizing the need for wholehearted devotion to God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were led by Joshua into the Promised Land.

2. Geshurites
A group of people who lived in the region of Geshur, located in the northeastern part of the Promised Land, near the Sea of Galilee.

3. Maacathites
Inhabitants of the region of Maacah, which was located near Geshur. They were another group that the Israelites failed to drive out.

4. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land and conquering it.

5. Promised Land
The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which the Israelites were to inhabit after their exodus from Egypt.

Teaching Points

Incomplete Obedience
The Israelites' failure to drive out the Geshurites and Maacathites serves as a reminder of the dangers of incomplete obedience to God's commands. Partial obedience can lead to future spiritual compromise.

Consequences of Disobedience
Allowing the Geshurites and Maacathites to remain among them eventually led to cultural and religious influences that were contrary to God's laws. This highlights the importance of following God's instructions fully to avoid negative consequences.

Spiritual Vigilance
Just as the Israelites were called to be vigilant in purging the land of influences that could lead them astray, Christians today are called to be vigilant in guarding their hearts and lives against influences that can lead them away from God.

God’s Sovereignty and Grace
Despite Israel's failures, God’s plan continued to unfold. This demonstrates His sovereignty and grace, reminding believers that God can work through human shortcomings.

Bible Study Questions

1. What are some areas in your life where you might be practicing incomplete obedience to God’s commands, and how can you address them?

2. How does the failure of the Israelites to drive out the Geshurites and Maacathites relate to the concept of spiritual vigilance in your own life?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of not fully following God’s instructions. What did you learn from that experience?

4. How can the account of the Israelites' incomplete obedience encourage you to trust in God’s sovereignty and grace despite your own shortcomings?

5. In what ways can you ensure that cultural or societal influences do not lead you away from your faith and commitment to God’s Word?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Judges 1:27-33
This passage provides additional context on the failure of the Israelites to drive out various inhabitants of the land, highlighting a recurring theme of incomplete obedience.

Deuteronomy 7:1-5
God’s command to the Israelites to completely destroy the nations in the Promised Land to avoid being led astray by their practices.

Psalm 106:34-36
Reflects on Israel's failure to destroy the nations as God commanded, leading to idolatry and sin.

Sermons

God Takes Note of Our ,Failing Strength	J. Parker, D.D.	Joshua 13:1-33
Joshua's Old Age	W. G. Blaikie, D. D.	Joshua 13:1-33
More Beyond		Joshua 13:1-33
On Progress in Religion	W. Jay.	Joshua 13:1-33
Territory Yet to be Taken by the Church	W. Seaton.	Joshua 13:1-33
The Christian's Work	T. Guthrie, D. D.	Joshua 13:1-33
The Uncompleted Work	F. B. Meyer, B. A.	Joshua 13:1-33
Unconquered Territory	Charles Vince.	Joshua 13:1-33

People

Ammonites, Amorites, Arah, Ashdodites, Ashdothites, Ashkelonites, Avites, Avvites, Balaam, Beor, Canaanites, Debir, Ekronites, Eshkalonites, Evi, Gad, Gadites, Gazathites, Gazites, Gebalites, Geshurites, Giblites, Gittites, Hur, Israelites, Jair, Joshua, Levi, Maacah, Maacathites, Maachathites, Machir, Machirites, Manasseh, Og, Reba, Rekem, Rephaites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sidonians, Sihon, Zereth, Zidonians, Zur

Places

Aphek, Aroer, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ashtaroth, Baal-gad, Bamoth-baal, Bashan, Beth-baal-meon, Beth-baal-peor, Beth-haram, Beth-jeshimoth, Beth-nimrah, Betonim, Debir, Dibon, Edrei, Egypt, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, Geshur, Gilead, Heshbon, Jahaz, Jair, Jazer, Jericho, Jordan River, Kedemoth, Kiriathaim, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Maacath, Mahanaim, Mearah, Medeba, Mephaath, Midian, Misrephoth-maim, Moab, Mount Hermon, Pisgah, Rabbah, Ramath-mizpeh, Salecah, Sea of Chinnereth, Shihor, Sibmah, Succoth, Tirzah, Valley of the Arnon, Zaphon, Zereth-shahar

Topics

Continue, Didn't, Dispossess, Dispossessed, Drive, Drove, Dwell, Dwelt, Expelled, Geshur, Geshurite, Geshurites, Gesh'urites, However, Israelites, Maacah, Maacath, Ma'acath, Maacathites, Ma-ac'athites, Maachath, Maachathite, Maachathites, Midst, Nevertheless, Sons, Yet

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Joshua 13:1-33

5235 boundary

Library

October 2. "Moses Gave not any Inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their Inheritance, as He Said unto Them" (Josh. xiii. 33).
"Moses gave not any inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He said unto them" (Josh. xiii. 33). This is very significant. God gave the land to the other tribes but He gave Himself to the Levites. There is such a thing in Christian life as an inheritance from the Lord, and there is such a thing as having the Lord Himself for our inheritance. Some people get a sanctification from the Lord which is of much value, but which is variable, and often impermanent. Others have learned …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Unwon but Claimed
'There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed, ... them will I drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide thou it by lot unto Israel for an inheritance'--Joshua xiii. 1-8. Joshua was now a very old man and had occupied seven years in the conquest. His work was over, and now he had only to take steps to secure the completion by others of the triumph which he would never see. This incident has many applications to the work of the Church in the world, but not less important ones …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
Pliny writes, "From Pelusium are the intrenchments of Chabrias: mount Casius: the temple of Jupiter Casius: the tomb of Pompey the Great: Ostracine: Arabia is bounded sixty-five miles from Pelusium: soon after begins Idumea and Palestine from the rising up of the Sirbon lake." Either my eyes deceive me, while I read these things,--or mount Casius lies nearer Pelusium, than the lake of Sirbon. The maps have ill placed the Sirbon between mount Casius and Pelusium. Sirbon implies burning; the name of …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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