Joshua 22:1–6 (ESV) — 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.
NOTE: So many times
in Israel's history, the story is one of pain, failure, and disobedience
(not surprising either since Israel is just like us). For the most part, the book of Joshua defies
the norm. It is characterized by obedience and fulfillment of God's will. There
are failures, like Ai and Gibeon, but they do not define the story. The
two and one half tribes agree to fight with Joshua and their brothers, even though they have
already received their inheritance. They complete their commitment, seven years
of helping the other tribes get their inheritance. Joshua's summary in verses 2-3 are humbling and kind. But, Joshua warns them to
continue to walk in God's ways and serve God with all their heart and soul. Their
children will forsake that warning, but they obeyed (sounds like the "great generation"). What is the application? I
can't control everything in which I have input, but I can make sure that I do
the right thing. And at the end, the "well done" is worth it.
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