Deuteronomy 3:17-22: a reflection

17the Arabah also, and the Jordan and its border, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward. 18I commanded you at that time, saying, “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess it. All of you men of valor shall pass over armed before your brothers, the children of Israel. 19But your wives, and your little ones, and your livestock, (I know that you have much livestock), shall live in your cities which I have given you, 20until the LORD gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then you shall each return to his own possession, which I have given you.” 21I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, “Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. So shall the LORD do to all the kingdoms where you go over. 22You shall not fear them; for the LORD your God himself fights for you.”

As the tribes of Israel receive their land, some of them, having already been given their inheritance east of the Jordan, might have been tempted to settle down and enjoy their own rest while their brothers still had to fight for their portions. But Moses commands otherwise: though their families and livestock could remain in their cities, all their fighting men were to cross over armed ahead of their brothers, and keep fighting alongside them, until the LORD gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also possess their land. They were not to settle into their own ease while their brothers still struggled.

Notice the principle: do not rest in your own security while your brothers still lack theirs. These tribes had received their inheritance; they could have stayed home and enjoyed it. But they were called to keep laboring and fighting alongside their brothers until all had rest, not stopping at their own comfort. Their own security was not to become an excuse to abandon those still in need.

That is a searching principle about solidarity. Once we ourselves are secure and comfortable, the temptation is to settle into our own ease and forget those who are still struggling, still lacking, still in need. But the call is to keep laboring alongside our brothers and sisters until they too have rest, not to abandon them once we ourselves are provided for. Do not let your own security become an excuse to stop helping those still in need. When you have received your own rest and provision, keep laboring alongside those who still lack, until they too are provided for. Our comfort is not meant to end our care for others; help your brothers until they too have rest.

Lord, the tribes who had already received their land were called not to settle into their own ease, but to keep fighting alongside their brothers until all had rest. Guard me from resting in my own security while others still struggle. Once I am comfortable and provided for, I am tempted to settle into my own ease and forget those still in need, still lacking, still struggling. Help me not to let my own security become an excuse to stop helping others. When I have received my own rest and provision, keep me laboring alongside those who still lack, until they too are provided for. Let my comfort not end my care for others. Teach me the solidarity that keeps helping my brothers and sisters until they too have rest, and do not let me abandon those in need once I myself am secure.