Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of
Manasseh, and said unto them: You have kept all that Moses the servant of the
LORD commanded you, and have hearkened unto my voice in all that I
commanded you…”
In Joshua 22, we read how the Hebrew commander commended the two-and-one-half tribes
for dedicated service in liberating the Holy Land. Indeed, according to Abravanel, the warriors
from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh excelled on the field in four distinct areas, as a
close reading of our chapter indicates. “Then Joshua called the Reubenites, Gadites, and the
half-tribe of Manasseh…”
The fighters from these tribes fought at the vanguard. What are the four areas that Joshua
salutes?
- Integrity
- Honorable discharge
- Esprit de corps
- Religious duty or religious imperative
Recall, the tribes desired to settle the east bank of the Jordan River. Moses agreed, although
the prophet made a stipulation. That is, they would have to cross the river and lead the Hebrew
troops in battle. Good to their word, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh honorably fulfilled their
pledge to Moses. “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you.”
Integrity.
The tribes served as exemplary and steely soldiers. To all of Joshua’s orders, they fully
complied. “And you have hearkened unto my voice in all that I commanded you.” Honorable
discharge.
Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh displayed esprit de corps. For their brethren, they showed
empathy and affection. At the forefront, the three tribes proved themselves constant comrades
in arms – campaign after campaign. Truly, they exemplified brotherhood, in a most noble way.
“You have not left your brethren these many days unto this day…” Esprit de corps.
The three tribes had been trusted with a holy task; they guarded and protected the holy ark.
That duty was wrought with responsibility, one of major importance. “But have kept the charge
of the commandment of the LORD your God.” Religious imperative.
Now that the long years of the war were behind the nation, Joshua had convened Reuben, Gad,
and Manasseh. The commander spoke: “And now the LORD your God has given rest unto your
brethren, as He spoke unto them. Therefore now turn you, and get you unto your tents, unto
the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the
Jordan.” For the two-and-one-half tribes, civilian life was about to commence.
Joshua’s parting words sought to bolster their religious observance, seeing that they would be
far from the other tribes, as well as far away from the Tabernacle in Shiloh. “Only take diligent
heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded
you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments,
and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Joshua 22 concludes with what appeared to be a breach in Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh’s
commitment to the Torah. But that is a subject for another essay.