And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,
The verse stands in the opening first chapter of the book, which records preparations for crossing the Jordan and the settlement of the chosen people in Canaan in a renewed campaign after years of delay at its borders, sounding courage and assurance before the rapid advance to inherit the land. The chapter records God's charge to His servant and the plea of the two and one-half tribes, and this verse begins Joshua's speaking to them. Joshua, Moses' lieutenant who led Israel, was a type of Christ, and his name means Saviour, like the Greek name Jesus.
In the verse Joshua reminds the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh that God had given them rest and the land east of the Jordan assigned through Moses. Their families, cattle, and possessions were to remain there while their armed men crossed over to help their fellow Israelites until those tribes also possessed their land and received rest. Here rest means inheritance and the peaceful possession of the promised land, connected with gaining and possessing Canaan after the exodus.
This land-rest is distinct from the weekly Sabbath and is not connected with the origin or reason for the seventh-day Sabbath, nor is it a type of it. The rest in the land points to the heavenly Canaan and the final rest and inheritance still promised to God's people, Abraham's faithful descendants. The verse shows the faithfulness of Moses and the courage of Joshua and calls for faithfulness in keeping all the commandments, perfect faith like Joshua and Caleb, standing firmly for the truth, and trusting God as General to lead His people into the promised land.
The verse stands in the opening first chapter of the book, which records preparations for crossing the Jordan and the settlement of the chosen people in Canaan in a renewed campaign after years of delay at its borders, sounding courage and assurance before the rapid advance to inherit the land. The chapter records God's charge to His servant and the plea of the two and one-half tribes, and this verse begins Joshua's speaking to them. Joshua, Moses' lieutenant who led Israel, was a type of Christ, and his name means Saviour, like the Greek name Jesus.
In the verse Joshua reminds the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh that God had given them rest and the land east of the Jordan assigned through Moses. Their families, cattle, and possessions were to remain there while their armed men crossed over to help their fellow Israelites until those tribes also possessed their land and received rest. Here rest means inheritance and the peaceful possession of the promised land, connected with gaining and possessing Canaan after the exodus.
This land-rest is distinct from the weekly Sabbath and is not connected with the origin or reason for the seventh-day Sabbath, nor is it a type of it. The rest in the land points to the heavenly Canaan and the final rest and inheritance still promised to God's people, Abraham's faithful descendants. The verse shows the faithfulness of Moses and the courage of Joshua and calls for faithfulness in keeping all the commandments, perfect faith like Joshua and Caleb, standing firmly for the truth, and trusting God as General to lead His people into the promised land.