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. Joshua 1
The Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh had already secured their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan but Joshua spoke to them directly on behalf of their brothers and the Lord. ‘Get ready because your men will be at the forefront when we cross the Jordan’. The lesson for us today is that we, ‘mustn’t rest on our laurels’; be content with our own lives and forget our brothers and sisters who are still in need. All Israel had fought and taken the land east of the Jordan, so this was payback time!
It’s also noteworthy that Joshua used the word ‘Until’ twice in his speech to the men of these tribes. Their commitment would continue until their fellow Israelites had conquered their land and were able to rest from struggle and battle. Can I ask us to consider, are we committed to support and stand with any part of the Body of Christ today, outside our immediate circle? Do we have a vision to help His wider Body. It may or may not be those very remote from us, but there are many we can support and strengthen the Church around us.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ Acts 1
After Christ had spoken these words He was taken up into heaven. They were His last words to the disciples and He told them that when the Spirit came the message of the Kingdom had to be taken out, region by region, UNTIL the whole earth was covered with it. (Our calling may be to any of the four zones, but we should be actively involved somewhere!) Christ’s order has never been cancelled, He wants us to live for Him while we’re still here on this earth. We can help Him now and reap an eternal reward.
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. Joshua 1
The eastern tribes stood ready to fight for their brothers and take their full inheritance. They are a powerful example for the Church in this hour. We only have one life to give, but our reward will be forever.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.