5:1-17
Reuben was the first born, but did not have the primacy normally due to the first born, this was because of his sin. It is a consistent principle in the Bible, old and new testaments, that sin matters and has consequences. We do well to remember this. So his firstborn rights passed to Joseph.
Chapter 5 gives details for the tribes east of the Jordan, i.e. Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. God was committed to “All Israel”.
5:18-22
Here we get the first account of a battle, their victory against the Hagrites. The key points are (i) they won because of God’s help; (ii) they received this help because they trusted God; (iii) they cried out to God in the midst of the battle.
5:23-26
The account of Manasseh is given in contrast to the previous example. They were unfaithful to God, prostituting themselves to false gods, so they were taken into exile by Tiglath-Pileser.
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