7-2-07Joshua 1: 13-15

Joshua 1: 13-15 (NAS)
Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest, and will give you this land. Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise

The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were content with their lot and did not want to go into the land of Canaan, the land of promise from the Lord their God. The Reubenites, especially, had only the vision for what they had already seen; they perceived that the land they inhabited was a good land. They, therefore chose to remain in it. The Gadites and Manasseh, as well, saw this land as their fortune.

The Lord Jehovah, through His servant Moses, seeing these attitudes, agreed to let them stay in the wilderness. He gave them the land for which they asked, telling them that they could settle down and rest there. However, He required them to make a commitment concerning this promise. He was willing for their wives, family, livestock and possessions to remain on the opposite side of the Jordan, but the men must be willing to fight with and for their brothers.
These tribes were to advance across the Jordan river and to help their brethren to clear their way. They were to go dressed and arrayed for battle, for the Lord their God had made them strong, brave, and mighty. They were powerful and would prevail against their enemies. They were an efficient force with a wealth of ability to help support the men of the remaining tribes.
Moses commanded them to continue in the fray of the battle until all of the other tribes had obtained rest and quiet. Until every child of Israel possessed his patch of land, the tribes from the eastern bank of the Jordan were committed to help. Only when their enemies had been disinherited and defeated could the Eastern tribes return to their inheritance.

When the Lord gives you what He has promised you, you should rejoice. However, if you see some of your brethren who are still waiting for their inheritances, you should do everything you can to help them reach the goals that the Lord their God has set for them. As you fight together with them, supporting them in their quest, you will find blessings coming upon you and overtaking you. Then you will all see the fulfillment of your dreams.