Joshua 22:1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, :2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you: :3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. :4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan. :5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. :6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.
Chapter 22 is a most interesting chapter, there is a fair amount of excitement at the latter end of the chapter, which we hope to cover tomorrow. Today I want us to look at the two and half tribes whose inheritance was on the other side of Jordan. Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh's lot had already been given to them but this didn't exclude them from the fight for Canaan. They couldn't have rest until their brothers had rest. They ran to battle not fighting for their inheritance but for their brothers inheritance. For seven years they fought for their brethren. They didn't grow weary three years in and say "We have a home, let us go back to it" no they stuck with it until their brothers were at rest. Now I've heard people admonish these tribes for their habitation on the other side of Jordan but the scripture here does the exact opposite. They are blessed at the hand of Joshua for their sacrifice and service and latter in verse eight we are told they receive even a monetary blessing before they return.
These tribes remind me of that group of Christians whose lot may not be to pastor or move to a foreign field or teach or to live their life in the ministry. There are vast numbers of Christians God has working a job. God has farmers, business men, lawyers, doctors, laborers, mechanics, electricians, you get the idea. If you are one of these Christians then this doesn't exclude you from helping your brethren whose lot is to go, to preach, to minister. Sure your life may continue regardless of your lack of help to your brethren but your brethren's lot may be to fight for an inheritance that is yet to be won. Your brothers in the ministry are fighting for a inheritance that won't be revealed until the last day. Their whole life is wrapped up in laying up treasure in heaven. What an example these tribes are that all of Gods children should be in service to the Lord. You say, but I'm no preacher, I'm just a laborer, what could I possible do? Help your brothers that are in the ministry. Come behind them and support them. Encourage your pastor, support a missionary, get busy at your church. If your not a preacher, then sweep or clean or whatever you can do, do! If you have a skill set that is needed then make your self available, don't let the church spend money on something that you can do. You may never be called to go to a foreign field to carry the Gospel but you can support the ones who are, prayerfully and financially. Don't let your position in this life prevent you from the work of God. Imagine the shame they would have felt had they stuck around, enjoyed their inheritance while their brothers fought. They had more joy and according to verse eight more riches because of their willingness to go and help there brothers.
There can be no rest until at last each one has received the inheritance won by our heavenly Joshua. Don't grow weary in serving, don't grow weary and retire to your earthly lot of comfort. We must fight, we must endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ and one day we will hear something similar to the what Joshua said in our text today. "Well done my good and faithful servant, thou hast fought a good fight!"
To all the faithful Christians who work jobs and serve in the churches, never think that you are sub-par or less than your brothers in the ministry. We are all fighting the same fight. We have the same captain and none of us can rest until all have received their inheritance. At the same time don't allow your comfortable lot in life to keep you from the fight. Do what you can and do all you can until our heavenly Joshua gives us our final rest.
If your in the battle for The Lord and right, keep on the firing line!!
Onward Christian Soldier!!
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