Joshua's Warning

When the Israelites conquered the land that God had promised to them, under the leadership of Joshua, there were two and a half tribes who opted to stay on the eastern side of the Jordan. Moses and Joshua had given them permission to do so on one condition – they were to help the rest of the nation conquer the entire land before they could return to their inheritance. So they did. They faithfully followed and fought alongside their brothers.

Once the work was done, and the people had all received their portion of the inheritance, it was time for the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to return home. In Joshua 22, Joshua sends them off with a warning and a blessing.

Joshua 22:5 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 all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

Joshua warns the people to "keep the commandment" that Moses had given to them. They must never turn away from the Word of God that had been given to them. They must never forget all that their God had done for them up until now - bringing them to victory over their enemies time and time again. "Be very careful to keep the commandment." Don't turn away from it.

Joshua then breaks it down into five things they are to do. Five things, that if kept faithfully, would continue to bring victory throughout every area of their lives. And these five things are as applicable to us today as they were 4000 years ago. They are:

1. Love the LORD your God
2. Walk in all His ways
3. Obey His commands
4. Hold fast to Him
5. Serve Him with all your heart and all your soul

Over the next few days we'll be taking a look at each of these commands. If we will take them to heart, and apply them every day, God will truly do amazing things in and through each of us.