AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE FOR THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES
INTRODUCTION:
1. Because Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of the Moabites, had refused to allow Moses and the children of Israel safe passage through their borders, God gave orders to destroy them and give their lands to His people for their possession. (Num. 21:21-35)
2. Rueben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh, seeing that these lands which lay east of Jordan were rich and well suited for cattle, and therefore ideal for their needs, put in a request to Moses that they be allowed to possess these lands for their inheritance. (Num. 32:1-5)
3. Moses, by the Lord’s direction granted their request, but with one very important stipulation, they must go over and assist their brethren in the conquest of the land before returning to their settlements. (Num. 32:6-22)
4. Moses, on that occasion, warned them that should they fail to honor this agreement, there would be dire consequences; which having heard, they took a solemn vow that, as Moses said, they would surely do. (Num. 32:23-32)
5. Much to their credit and praise, they honored their commitment to the letter. And now, after approximately eight years, Joshua called for them, commended them for their faithfulness, and issued to them “an honorable discharge” from their service.
I. JOSHUA DISMISSED THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES TO RETURN TO THE LAND OF THEIR POSSESSION. (VERSES 1-4)
A. WHAT A LONG AWAITED REUNION THEY WOULD NOW HAVE. “Therefore now return ye, and get you to your tents…”
1. How they must have longed for their families, having been so long separated. How eager they must have been to see their settlements. Keep in mind, they had never known the joy of having a place of their own that was separate from their brethren.
2. Surely there was also much anxiety as they thought about possible invasions, loss of lives, cattle, crops, etc.
3. Many things had been on their minds while they were away, yet, being good soldiers, they did not take their leave until their captain discharged them. (II Tim. 2:3, 4)
4. We may long for our heavenly home, yet we cannot take our leave until our warfare is accomplished, and our Commander calls us home. (II Tim. 4:7, 8)
5. Of all people, only a Christian has a legitimate reason to desire an early departure from this world (Phil. 1:23;
II Cor. 5:4, 8), but he realizes that his purpose here must first be fulfilled. (Phil. 1:24-26)
B. HOW PATIENTLY THESE GOOD SOLDIERS HAD AWAITED THEIR DISMISSAL. “THEN Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.”
1. Even though the actual fighting had ended a good while before, still they had not come forward to request their leave, but rather waited for Joshua’s call.
2. Even though they had been first in the assignment of their portions (Num. 32) also been first to receive the allotment of them (Josh. 13), they would be last in the enjoyment of them. (Matt. 20:16)
3. Patience is a beautiful virtue so wonderfully exemplified in these men. (James 5:7, 8)
II. JOSHUA DISMISSED THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES WITH WORDS OF PRAISE AND APPRECIATION. (VERSES 1-4)
A. THIS WONDERFUL COMMENDATION SPEAKS FOR THEIR GODLY CHARACTER. (VERSES 2-4)
1. Though their service was a debt and an obligation, and in the performance of it they had only done their duty, still Joshua commended them as men of true faithfulness and integrity.
2. Those that are faithful to their word and careful to honor commitments are worthy to be praised.
3. It speaks well for these people, who, having been paid in advance, as it were, proved their trustworthiness by fully and completely honoring their prearranged commitment. It was one thing for their leaders while viewing those plush meadows and flowing streams to say to Moses, “We will do whatever you require of us,” but it was quite another thing to remain true to that vow through eight long years of conflict and separation, which they did. Agreeing to years of monthly installments can seem like no big deal when the desired object looks so appealing, but long after the new has worn off the purchased possession the agreement is still binding.
4. Joshua could now say to the men of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Ye have kept all that Moses…commanded you.” (Verse 2)
a) These men of war were all men of honor. Joshua had not given to them a single order that they had not fully obeyed. “Ye have…obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you.” (Verse 2b)
b) Let us remember the words of Christ, our Joshua: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.” (John 15:10) “Ye are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:4)
B. THEIR CONSTANT AND UNWAVERING AFFECTION FOR THEIR BRETHREN WAS TO JOSHUA SOMETHING WORTHY OF COMMENDATION. (VERSES 3, 4)
1. Notice, Joshua realized that the honor and respect shown to him could not be separated from the loyalty and love shown to their brethren. (Verse 3; John 15:12; I John 3:14; 4:7, 20)
2. Love for the brethren is evidence of our love for Christ, and it will be manifested in our willingness to bear one another’s burdens. (Gal. 6:2)
3. It is to the honor of all who espouse Christ’s church to remain constant and faithful until God grants us rest from our battles. (Verse 4)
C. JOSHUA COMMENDS THEM FOR THEIR OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE LAW. Notice in Verse 3 he says, “Ye…have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God.”
1. “Ye have kept the keeping…” (literally) In other words, they had most carefully kept the commandments of the Lord their God. This is key to their good character, the point being, it was not only regarding their obligations in battle that they kept the commandment of the Lord, but they apparently consistently walked in righteousness in their part of the camp.
2. What higher commendation could they have received from their captain? He essentially said to them, “Well done good and faithful servants.”
III. JOSHUA DISMISSED THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES WITH A SOLEMN CHARGE AND A GRACIOUS BENEDICTION. (VERSES 5, 6)
A. AS A FAITHFUL LEADER AND FATHER, JOSHUA, PRIOR TO THEIR DEPARTURE, GAVE GOOD AND GODLY COUNSEL TO HIS CHILDREN. (VERSE 5)
1. Having observed how they had “kept the keeping,” he admonished them not to let those things slip. He was no doubt concerned to see them separate themselves from their brethren.
2. Key to their happiness and success he knew was their remaining faithful to the Lord and His word. The secret to true happiness and prosperity is ever the same.
a) Heed the holy commandments. (Josh. 1:8; Psa. 84:11)
b) Love the Lord your God. (Matt. 22:37-40)
c) Walk in His ways.
d) Cleave to Him.
e) Serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
3. Joshua here sounds like a good Christian father who is sending his son or daughter out on their own. He knows that negligence regarding this duty will inevitably have serious consequences.
B. AS A FAITHFUL MINISTER AND FRIEND, JOSHUA EARNESTLY PRAYED THAT GOD’S BLESSINGS WOULD GO WITH THEM. (VERSE 6)
1. This benediction was not a mere formality.
2. Our partings ought always to be occasions of prayer.
a) Let us pray for the Lord’s presence and guidance, and keeping.
b) Let us pray that He should watch between us as we part company until we meet again, if not here below, surely in heaven.
c) Certainly Joshua would not see them again in this life.
IV. JOSHUA SAW TO IT THAT THESE FAITHFUL WARRIORS DID NOT GO AWAY EMPTY. (VRS. 7-9)
A. REUBEN, GAD, AND THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH WERE GIVEN A SHARE OF THE SPOILS OF WAR. (VERSE 8)
1. Though the land they helped to conquer rightfully belonged to the other nine and a half tribes, they still shared in the dividing of the spoil.
2. God had blessed them with abundance of spoil, and Joshua would teach liberality to all of the people. There is no indication that any of their brethren objected to this arrangement.
3. They were to take freely of the spoil so that they might share it with those who had stayed by the stuff over on the other side. (I Sam. 30:21-25)
4. Serving our Lord is a great honor and a great privilege as well as a solemn duty, yet He has promised rewards to the faithful (Mark 10:29, 30)
B. PARTICULAR MENTION IS MADE OF THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH REGARDING THIS MATTER. (VERSE 7)
1. Perhaps this was because Joshua felt a near kinship to them since he was of the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh’s brother.
2. Or perhaps the departure was more difficult for them, since half of their tribe would remain on the west side.
C. HAVING RECEIVED THEIR FINAL ADMONITION AND BENEDICTION, THEY PARTED TO THE LAND OF THEIR POSSESSION. (VERSE 9)
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