Setting aside our own desires to serve the greater good in the Body.
In yesterday’s blog we saw that Almighty God Himself told Joshua to be ‘strong and courageous’ and promised that He would be with him wherever he went. Joshua told all Israel to ‘Get Ready’, for in three days they would cross the Jordan into the land God had promised their forefathers to give them. Joshua 1:6
Joshua spoke to one other group within Israel who had already taken their inheritance on the eastern side of the Jordan.
12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 ‘Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, “The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.” 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. YOU ARE TO HELP THEM 15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, …’ Joshua 1
It would take the whole nation of Israel to conquer the land of Canaan, on the west side of the Jordan. Joshua told the two and a half tribes that they had to go and fight for their brothers until the land was won. Today in modern Israel, everyone must serve (conscription) in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) after finishing school, only medical doctors who save lives are exempt. For the greater good, for the nation or for the Body, we are called to set aside our own preferences and desires and serve alongside our brethren.
16 Then they answered Joshua, ‘Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses (they pledged to serve Joshua as they had Moses) 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. ONLY BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS (they echoed the Words of God to Joshua!)’
Much later in Joshua 22 we read Joshua’s praise for these two and a half tribes who had stood faithfully with their brothers for a long time, not even seeing their own families.
22 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, ‘YOU HAVE DONE ALL that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and YOU HAVE OBEYED ME IN EVERYTHING I commanded. 3 For a long time now – to this very day – you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. 4 Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
Many times the scriptures speak of the unfaithfulness of Israel, but these people stood with their brothers for a long time, so that they would have their inheritance. Is there a call on some today to stand united with others in the Body until they are strengthened and receive their portion? I believe we need to serve the Body before self.
May God bless and keep you today.