What is Your Promised Land?
Josh 22 (NIV) 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.”
Back in the Forties, it was not uncommon for households to include grandparents, parents, their children and sometimes siblings and their children. In my own family, my grandmother and two of her daughters and their husbands lived together for years. I am sure for such an arrangement to work there had to be compromise and mutual love and respect.
In today’s scripture, we see 2 1/2 tribes who decided to settle together in the land east of Jordan. Why? They had large herds of cattle and when they reached the fertile land east if the Jordan they essentially said, “We’re home!”
There is generally no better feeling than being home. In this instance, the only condition to “going home” was the requirement to help the rest of the tribes conquer the Promised Land, and to keep God’s commandments.
Whether or not we have reached our “Promised Land,” may we hold fast to God and His unchanging hand, and may we serve Him with all of our heart and soul, keeping His commandments.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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