Rest follows Conquest – we only rest in what we possess, in Christ.
Yesterday we saw that Joshua commended the Reubenites, the Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh, the 2 1/2 tribes from east of the Jordan, who fought with their brothers until they were settled in their own land.
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 GOD GAVE YOU. Joshua 22
Joshua said these fighters had faithfully carried out everything Moses and he had commanded them, they were obedient to the leaders but really they’d been obedient to God. They had served faithfully until Joshua, the leader of Israel, released them to return to their own land and families on the east side of the Jordan. Does this land also belong to Israel today?
We should also note the verses at the end of the previous chapter;
43 So the Lord gave Israel ALL THE LAND he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it AND SETTLED THERE. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 NOT ONE OF ALL THE LORD’S GOOD PROMISES (We serve a Good God, the Best) TO ISRAEL FAILED; EVERY ONE WAS FULFILLED. Joshua 21
God had been faithful and the eastern tribes had been faithful and Israel had taken everything they’d been promised. Can we really believe that God will do less for His people today?
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
Israel came into Rest After they had conquered their enemies and taken possession of the land, not before. God has marked out an inheritance for each of us, in Christ our Lord, but we have to conquer on the ground to establish that victory.
The eastern tribes had sacrificed much to support their brothers through to full victory but it’s interesting to see what the Bible says, when the time came for them to return to their own land.
6 Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their homes. …When Joshua sent them home, HE BLESSED THEM, 8 SAYING, ‘RETURN TO YOUR HOMES WITH YOUR GREAT WEALTH – with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing – and divide the plunder from your enemies with your fellow Israelites.’ Joshua 22
The eastern tribes went away blessed and full of wealth, their faithfulness was rewarded, they were even told to share the plunder, so it was substantial.
Israel didn’t stop fighting UNTIL THEY HAD EVERYTHING GOD HAD PROMISED THEM! GOD MEANT EVERY WORD HE’D SAID, EVERY GOOD PROMISE OF GOD WAS FULFILLED. GOD IS FAITHFUL!
God bless and keep you today.