In the last study on the book of Joshua, we saw God teaching Joshua on success and prosperity. The first chapter of Joshua starts with God speaking to Joshua and towards the end we see Joshua, taking the responsibility and being obedient to God in everything God spoke to Him.
“So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own’.” Joshua 1:10-11.
What a joyful news! In three days they are going to enter the Promised Land, the people who were wandering from one camp to the next, are going to enter a settled life, a hope of rest- a land of their own. The children of Israel were encamped at Shittim for some time and now Joshua is giving orders, for the camp to be moved in three days, and so asking the people to make the provisions ready, be prepared to go on. We see the action taken by Joshua almost immediate to His encounter with God. How readily do we act upon when God conveys a message to us? It is very important for us to listen to the Word of God and also act upon it. In the book of Luke we see Jesus saying, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” May God help us to have an obedient heart, willing to do anything for His glory. The provisions here could be “Manna”, as Joshua might be expecting the Manna to stop after they cross over Jordan or while they are preparing to move, they might not get time to gather Manna, so keep the Manna ready, for them to be nourished during the journey. In our journey with Christ, when we face challenges, do not forget to nourish our self with the heavenly Manna, The word of God, the food for ours soul, so that we be strong enough and do not grow weary on our way.
All these days, it was my understanding that the entire 12 tribes went in and took the inheritance of the land God promised them, but in Joshua1: 12-15, we see Joshua talking specifically to 2 and a half tribes, reminding them about an agreement they made during the time of Moses and we see they chose to stay on the land they were camped than moving forward and inheriting their God given inheritance.
“And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.’ Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 15 until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them”. Joshua1: 12-15.
Let’s pause and understand the contest and think whether this was the best God desired for them. Joshua is reminding the Reubenites, the Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh on the request they made to Moses almost a year ago and the agreement Moses made to them to help their brothers in their battle. These three tribes picked their lot even before Israel entered the Promised Land, they chose to settle east of Jordan. The reason for this could be found in Numbers 32:1, “Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock…” These tribes saw the land east of Jordan was ideal for their livestock, as tending livestock was their profession and so they placed a request before Moses, to grant them this land which was conquered by all the twelve tribes. Though Moses was initially hesitant, he heard their request upon a condition, as the Israelites are yet to conquer the promised land these tribes should help the other nine and a half tribes in their battle an once they acquire their inheritance – Canaan, these two and a half tribes can go back and live in the east of Jordan. Moses in Numbers 22, tells them, they are discouraging others by saying they are satisfied by this land, than the inheritance God has for them. Considering the many advantages they have over moving to the Promised Land, they made a subsidized choice… crossing the Jordan and tending the flock on the way, all paused as a serious hindrance before them to go ahead and acquire the land God has set aside for them. But this was definitely not the place what God wanted them to be. He wanted the entire nation to be in the Promised Land. So Joshua is reminding the brothers of these tribes on the promise they made to Moses to help their brothers in their battle. We are on our journey to the Promised Land… but God does not want us to pause ourselves and choose the short term benefits of the lands east of Jordan, which is not what God planned for you… look up on the Promised Land…the possession kept aside for you. Let eternity be our destiny, do not compromise for the momentary sparkles we see on our way and put our heart on it. Though God may grant some of our wishes when we plead to Him, but understand that is not His will for your life. Cleave onto what pleases to our God.
In the last verses of Joshua :1, we see the people responding to Joshua’s call by being obedient to him, agreeing to his leadership and agreeing that they will follow everything he says, just as they did during the time of Moses. How encouraging is that! People are encouraging Joshua further by saying, be strong and courageous. This also tells us again our leaders need our encouragement, there are times they need support and encouraging words. Be sure to tell the men and women of God, whom God used in your life to bless you with either by a word or by their prayer or any other kind support…encouraging words…at times when they are disheartened and troubled they need it. Let us encourage each other and also our leaders.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up… acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other”. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-13
God Bless!
Smitha Thomas,
Redeemed Ministries.
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