A Promise Fulfilled

As we return to our studies in the book of Joshua, we move into the final section of the book. Following the glowing declaration of God’s faithfulness to Israel in 21:43–45, we now find a repeated emphasis on Israel’s responsibility to be faithful to Him.

With Canaan conquered and divided, Joshua begins to disband the army. But he goes out of his way to give special recognition for superlative service to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the eastern Manassehites. These Israelites had been the first to receive land when they petitioned Moses to give them the territory Israel had conquered on the eastern side of the Jordan. Moses had his doubts, but the tribes solemnly promised that “ ‘We will not return to our homes until every one of the children of Israel has received his inheritance’ ” (Num. 32:18). On the basis of that promise, Moses granted their request. And when the time of the invasion came, the Reubenites, Gadites, and Manassehites “crossed over armed before the children of Israel” (Josh. 4:12) and fought alongside them throughout the long campaign.

Now that all the tribes have received their land, Joshua dismisses them from service with high commendations. “ ‘You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you,’ ” he declares. In like manner, they have obeyed Joshua. They have been utterly faithful to their fellow Israelites and have stayed beside them in obedience to the command of God through Moses. Matthew Henry writes, “Though their service was a due debt, and the performance of a promise, and they had done no more than was their duty to do, yet [Joshua] highly commends them [and] … applauds their good service.” Thus, the author of Joshua holds them up as examples of faith in action.

But Joshua sends them away with more than praise. First, he sternly warns them: “ ‘Take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.’ ” In other words, they must keep running the race, serving God faithfully. Second, he pronounces a blessing upon them. He “blessed them as a father in the name of the Lord, recommending them, their families, and affairs to the grace of God,” Henry writes.