August 4

Introduction

Joshua 22:1–9: The Israelites have now taken possession of the land promised by God to their ancestors. In today’s reading, Joshua addresses the people from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh. These tribes occupied the land east of the Jordan River. (A description of the division of the land among the twelve tribes can be found in Joshua 13—19).

Today’s Key Verse: Joshua 22:5

[Joshua said:] “Make sure you obey the law that Moses commanded you: love the LORD your God, do his will, obey his commandments, be faithful to him, and serve him with all your heart and soul.”

Reading

22 Then Joshua called together the people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh. ² He said to them, “You have done everything that Moses the Lord’s servant ordered you to do, and you have obeyed all my commands. ³ All this time you have never once deserted the other Israelites. You have been careful to obey the commands of the Lord your God. ⁴ Now, as he promised, the Lord your God has given the other Israelites peace. So go back home to the land which you claimed for your own, the land on the east side of the Jordan, that Moses, the Lord’s servant, gave you. ⁵ Make sure you obey the law that Moses commanded you: love the Lord your God, do his will, obey his commandments, be faithful to him, and serve him with all your heart and soul.” ^6-8 Joshua sent them home with his blessing and with these words: “You are going back home very rich, with a lot of livestock, silver, gold, bronze, iron, and many clothes. Share with your fellow tribesmen what you took from your enemies.” Then they left for home.

Moses had given land east of the Jordan to one half of the tribe of Manasseh, but to the other half Joshua had given land west of the Jordan, along with the other tribes.

⁹ So the people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh went back home. They left the rest of the people of Israel at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and started out for their own land, the land of Gilead, which they had taken as the Lord had commanded them through Moses.

Reflect

What does Joshua say to the people of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh (verses 1–8)? What blessing does he give them? Verse 5 echoes the words of Moses as recorded in Deuteronomy 6:5, often referred to as the Great Commandment. What are your thoughts about the importance of this commandment? In what ways have the people been faithful to God (verses 2–3)? In what ways do you demonstrate your faithfulness to God?

Pray

Lord God, I love you and thank you daily for your blessings. Help me to do your will and to obey your commandments. I promise to be faithful to you and to serve you with all my heart and soul. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Joshua 22:10–34: The tribes west of the Jordan River confront the tribes on the east.