Little Background Info.
Finally, after wandering for 40 years, Joshua shows up at the banks of the Jordan River and is preparing to cross it. Admittedly, he is nervous. God, like He does, assures Joshua that he will go with His people but His people have to promise to not forsake the ways of the Lord and the words of the Lord.
All 12 tribes were given a portion of land that would be theirs in the Promised Land. Manasseh (one of the tribes descended from Joseph) was given land on the east and on the west side of the Jordan. (This was done to fulfill the promise that Joseph gave his son, Manasseh that he would receive a double portion since he was the oldest of Joseph’s sons.) Here is the distribution of all 12 tribes.
Here’s Our Focus
I want to focus on the tribes on the east of the Jordan River. There were three. Reuben, Gad and the ½ tribe of Manasseh (or East Manasseh).
Joshua 1:12 - “To the Reubanites, the Gadites & half tribe of Manasseh, … the Lord your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land … “
This is saying that the Lord is including these tribes in the blessing.
Interesting that most of the warring and fighting was going to take place on the WEST of the Jordan. In Joshua 1, everyone is probably standing on the land that would later be occupied and owned by Gad. God tells these three tribes that their families can occupy the land and begin to make that land their own. But He says a BIG BUT.
THE BIG BUTT
God tells them that even though this is a resting place for you and your family, you MUST come alongside the others and fight alongside of them.
“… but you are to help your brothers until the Lord gives them rest ...” Joshua 1:12-15
Here’s The Temptation …
When we work, serve the Lord, there is within all of us (especially the core) a point where we feel:
- “We’ve done our part.”
- “We have put in our time.”
- “We are entitled to rest.”
- “The others need to step up and I need to step down.”
Here’s The Word …
Though all those things might be true, God has NOT CALLED US TO REST! More poignantly, God has not called YOU to rest. We have labored beside each other in good, trying and difficult times. Your DNA is all over the “tribe.” Now we are making steps and strides. You may need to seek Him again for this new season of ministry He has for you. But now is not the time to rest. Now is the time to re-load. Now is the time to re-focus. Now is the time to seek Him.
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