Joshua thanks the Reubenites, Gadites, and tribe of Manessah for their faithful service in obeying Moses, and helping the tribes on the other side of Jordan take possession of their inheritance. They had “been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God“, and were now invited to return to their homes and live in their own inheritance. Finally, they were reminded “be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul“.
This is a great example of putting the needs of others ahead of oneself. For years the men of these tribes had fought the Canaanites, while being unable to enjoy their own inheritance. They had faith that God would protect their families, living undefended across the river.
We are similarly called upon to have faith in God’s promises, knowing that God has provided something better for us than this present life. Let us, like the Israelites, desire a better, heavenly country, and demonstrate that faith in our lives.