Joshua 1:12-18 – Keeping promises

In Numbers 32, we read of the account of the request that the two and a half tribes of Israel, namely, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, made to Moses. These tribes owned a huge stock of cattle between them. On seeing that the kingdom of the Amorites and Bashan, which Israel had just conquered, was good for rearing cattle, they requested that these lands be apportioned to them. At first, Moses was not pleased with their request. For it showed their unbelief and unwillingness to help in the conquest of Canaan. But he eventually consented and allowed them to build sheepfolds for their cattle and dwelling for their children. For they had promised to help the rest of the tribes in the conquest of Canaan before they return to settle down in these trans-Jordanian lands apportioned to them. Here in verses 12-15, Joshua reminded the two and a half tribes of their obligation to help in the conquest of Canaan.

The reminder was needful because Moses who consented to their request was dead, and it was time for them to fulfill their promise. As a judicious leader, Joshua did not take things for granted that these two and a half tribes would fulfill their agreement made with Moses. He made sure that they kept their promise. Making sure that members keep their promises to the Lord is part of a leader’s responsibility. So here we see Joshua discharging his duty by reminding the Reubenites, the Gadites and the people of the half tribe of Manasseh of their obligation to the rest of Israel. This reminds us that we must always think corporate. The larger agenda is always more important than our individual agenda. The truth is that we need to be considerate people if we are to make an impact as a family. Being a member of a fellowship demands responsibility and accountability.  

The key word is found in verse 13. It’s the word “Remember.” It’s a reminder to fulfill one’s promise. It is a call to obedience. Promises made must be kept. Responsible people let their words be their bond. They say what they mean and mean what they say. And such people we must be. We can only elicit trust when we have proven ourselves to be trustworthy. In this regard, every one of us needs to exercise personal integrity if we expect people to trust us. We cannot say one thing and then do another and expect people to believe us. We must let our yes be yes and our no be no. Anything beyond that will cause us to stumble others. 

The two and a half tribes in question could have appealed to the fact that their promise was made to Moses. And since he is now dead, the contractual agreement is over. People do find all sort of reasons to cancel any agreement. But as people of honor, we must keep our word, like what we see in verses 16-18. The leaders of these two and a half tribes said to Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.” We must tuck this thought somewhere in our heart. People with good intention make promises, but only people with good character keep the promises they make.