1 At that time Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 2 and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you. 3 You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the LORD your God. 4 And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents in the land where your possession lies, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” 6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.
7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua had given a possession beside their brothers in the land west of the Jordan. And when Joshua sent them away to their homes and blessed them, 8 he said to them, “Go back to your tents with much wealth and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, and iron, and with much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers.” 9 So the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned home, parting from the people of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, their own land of which they had possessed themselves by command of the LORD through Moses.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Now that the initial period of conquest was over, it was time for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to return to the east of the Jordan. They had kept their agreement to fight with the rest of Israel. It had been seven years away from home. Finally, they could return to their wives and families. They didn’t go back empty-handed. They returned with great wealth from the spoils of war. Joshua instructed them to share their acquired livestock, silver, gold, bronze, iron and clothing with those who had remained at home. Why share the wealth if those who remained at home hadn’t struggled alongside them in the perils of war? Because there always needs to be someone who remains behind, even if they desire to join in the battle, in order to make sure that crops are raised, women and children are protected. Today there are those who serve and work in the public eye but honour must be bestowed on those who labour behind the scenes in more commonplace duties that are essential, but unseen.
Joshua also sent them home with six reminders:
- Be very careful to keep the Lord’s commandments and observe the law.
- Love the Lord your God.
- Walk in all His ways.
- Obey His commands.
- Cling to Him.
- Serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Their military duty was complete but spiritual commitments remained.
Which of those reminders rings true for you today and what will you do to heed that reminder in the days to come?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Defeating Jericho: Joshua 6
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.
Keep me true.