Return Home

Joshua 22:1-5

1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. 3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. 4 Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

War

Anywhere around the globe, news reports cannot escape the effect of war. Whether it’s small-scale or extensive, war is devastating escapade or enterprising adventure of human wickedness. We can easily observe the terrible effect of war in our Christian life. The old self is constantly waging war against the new self.
Paul confessed in Romans 7:21-25, 21 Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Christ Jesus becomes our Saviour when we trust that He saved us from the penalty, power and presence of sin. We are freed from the dictation of sinfulness. The most practical proof that Christ has indeed saved us from the sin of disobedience is when we obey God’s commands with gladness and spontaneity and not reluctantly.
Unconsciously, there is war between obedience and disobedience to the Lord. Why would Christ not enable us submit to Him in obedience totally? The Israelites were God’s chosen people but the Lord let them went to war against the Canaanites, why?
God could have easily removed or annihilate the Canaanites before the Israelites enter Canaan but God let war happened. And after the war, there was rest in the land.

1. Rest

1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded.
3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. 4 Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.

The life experience of the Israelites as God’s chosen people which included war expedition is a dramatic picture of Christian life experience.
The eastern tribes of Israel have promised to join their brothers in subduing Canaan. God granted victory and rest from war when the Israelites trusted in Him. And the eastern tribes returned home to their respective inheritance to live a normal life.
Joshua reminded the Israelites that they were able to carry out their mission because the Lord enabled them, why? As the eastern tribes were about to return home to their inheritance, they may face problems against other nations in the future. The western tribes may not be available to help them immediately.
To be reminded that it was God who gave them victory, Joshua wanted them to realize that if war breaks out, they will be victorious if they keep on trusting God.
As believers, we will only find complete rest eventually when we get to heaven. Our mind and soul struggle against obeying the will of God and it’s tiresome spiritually, emotionally and physically. Modern science calls such struggles as depression and stress.
Because of depression or stress, whatever the cause, people take their life.

Suicide

Suicide is no strange thing in the Bible. When King Saul was wounded, he committed suicide because he thought that he won’t get healed. Or even if he recovers, he might have thought that he would not win the battle against his enemies.
In 1 Samuel 31:1-5, 1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. 3 The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically. 4 Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 5 When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him.

After his sons were killed, Saul cannot visualize a brighter future. Not a few can imagine a brighter future when problems attack. Fighting against tough problem (personal, family, work-related, or church-related problem), it leaves some kind of unpleasant experience. Soldiers who went to war may suffer from the aftershocks of war which termed PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder).

After war against Canaan, did the Israelites suffer PTSD? Joshua said in v.4, 4 Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.

True rest is found in the Lord. The Lord who gave rest to the Israelites so that they did not suffer PTSD is the same Lord who offers us rest if we come to Him. In Matthew 11:28-30, 28Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Stress or depression caused by problems can drain us physically, mentally or emotionally. Christ offers rest by taking His yoke—His commands. Would you agree that obedience to the Lord’s command is a therapy that we need to have rest?

2. Reminder

5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

After the Joshua dismissed the Eastern tribes to return to their inheritance, he reminded them to keep God’s commands. That was very similar to what Jesus offers.
Keeping the Lords command is giving honor to the Lord—the author of the commands. When we obey His commands, it shows that we let the Lord be in control of our life. No one can obey God’s command with gladness apart from His grace. God’s grace is at work in our life Christ’s Spirit is in control of our life.
The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, 33“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Would you agree that rest is also included in the term “all things?”
When Christ said, “All things,” He actually offered a wholesome provision, not just material things but everything that may sustain us to accomplish His purposes when we allow Him to completely lord over our life.

Never Leave You Nor Forsake You

The Lord’s promise to never leave nor forsake us is inseparable to obedience to His commands. The Lord promised Joshua in Joshua 1:5-9, 5 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The condition of God to be with Joshua wherever he goes was to keep the Book of the Law, meditate on it day and night, and be careful to do everything written in it. The Lord Jesus promised to be always with us if we obey His command to go and make disciples. It also says in Hebrews 13:5-8, 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

The Lord’s promise to be with us is only realized when we allow Him to be our Lord. We know that Christ has become our Lord when we practically obey Him with gladness. Obedience to God with gladness is possible only by His grace through the Holy Spirit. So if you are tired, stressed, or anxious about life’s concern, return to Christ.
Let Him take over your life. Seek His help to act upon His command. His commands are therapeutic means to find true rest in Christ.

><((‘> … ><(((‘> tmec\2020 <‘)))>< … <‘))><

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.