Joshua 22:5 – “But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
The book of Joshua is getting ready to come to a close. The tribes have settled in their allotted territories and now it is time to establish themselves as a nation. Joshua, in this verse, gives Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh some parting wisdom as they get ready to depart to the east side of the Jordan River. There are five things Joshua mentions, which are worth noting and implementing in our lives today.
1. Be Very Careful To Obey The Word of The Lord. It is the Word of the Lord that has brought them to where they are. They do not need to forget what Moses taught them. You and I should be diligent to read and obey the scriptures.
2. Love God. This is at the core of all biblical teaching. When Jesus was asked which is the great commandment in the law He responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Loving God with every part of your life is required.
3. Walk In All His Ways. There is much wisdom to gain and power and light to walk in if we will choose to walk in all His ways.
4. Hold Fast To Him. Another version says, “Be faithful to Him.” The idea is to cling to Him no matter what. There are people today who have lost the “cling.” They are hot one day and not the next. Stay true to Him and be faithful
5. Serve Him. Not only are you to love the Lord with all your heart and all your soul, but also serve Him with all your heart and all your soul. Don’t be half-hearted and half-committed about it. Give Him all you have. Serving God is the greatest privilege you and I have this side of heaven.