Scripture Daily

Context No. 3215 of 4322 · Joshua

Context · Reflection

Joshua 22:1-5: in context

1Then Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 2and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you. 3You have not left your brothers these many days to this day, but have performed the duty of the commandment of the LORD your God. 4Now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he spoke to them. Therefore now return and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan. 5Only take diligent 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.”

With the conquest done, Joshua summons the eastern tribes, Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, and sends them home with high praise: you have kept all that Moses commanded, and have not deserted your brothers these many days. They had fulfilled a long, hard obligation, fighting for years to help their fellow tribes win their land before returning to their own.

And Joshua's parting charge is simple and searching. Take diligent care, he says, 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 soul. Faithfulness in the great task is commended; faithfulness in the daily walk of love for God is the charge going forward. The finished duty is honored, and the lifelong call renewed. Having done the hard thing, they are now sent home to the harder, quieter work of loving God wholeheartedly for the rest of their days.

Having been faithful in one commitment, do I hear the ongoing charge to love and serve God with all my heart in the everyday life ahead?

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