10 Then Joshua gave orders to the people's leaders: 11 "Go through the camp and give this order to the people: 'Pack your bags. In three days you will cross this Jordan River to enter and take the land God, your God, is giving you to possess.'" 12 Then Joshua addressed the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He said, 13 "Remember what Moses the servant of God commanded you: God, your God, gives you rest and he gives you this land. 14 Your wives, your children, and your livestock can stay here east of the Jordan, the country Moses gave you; but you, tough soldiers all, must cross the River in battle formation, leading your brothers, helping them 15 until God, your God, gives your brothers a place of rest just as he has done for you. They also will take possession of the land that God, your God, is giving them. Then you will be free to return to your possession, given to you by Moses the servant of God, across the Jordan to the east."
16 They answered Joshua: "Everything you commanded us, we'll do. Wherever you send us, we'll go. 17 We obeyed Moses to the letter; we'll also obey you - we just pray that God, your God, will be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Anyone who questions what you say and refuses to obey whatever you command him will be put to death. Strength! Courage!"^
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 1:10-18
Commentary on Joshua 1:10-15
(Read Joshua 1:10-15)
Joshua says to the people, Ye shall pass over Jordan, and shall possess the land; because God had said so to him. We honour the truth of God, when we stagger not at the promise of God. The two tribes and a half were to go over Jordan with their brethren. When God, by his providence, has given us rest, we ought to consider what service we may do to our brethren.
Commentary on Joshua 1:16-18
(Read Joshua 1:16-18)
The people of Israel engage to obey Joshua; All that thou commandest us to do we will readily do, without murmuring or disputing, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go. The best we can ask of God for our magistrates, is, that they may have the presence of God; that will make them blessings to us, so that in seeking this for them, we consult our own interest. May we be enabled to enlist under the banner of the Captain of our salvation, to be obedient to his commands, and to fight the good fight of faith, with all that trust in and love his name, against all who oppose his authority; for whoever refuses to obey him must be destroyed.