221 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe e of Manasseh , 2 and said to them, "You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, and have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you. 3 "You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day , but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God . 4 "And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers , as He spoke to them; therefore turn now and go to your tents , to the land of your possession , which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan . 5 "Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul ." 6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away , and they went to their tents . 7 Now to the one half-tribe e of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan , but to the other half Joshua gave a possession among their brothers westward beyond the Jordan . So when Joshua sent them away to their tents , he blessed them, 8 and said to them, "Return to your tents with great riches and with very much livestock , with silver , gold , bronze , iron , and with very many clothes ; divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers ." 9 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe e of Manasseh returned home and departed from the sons of Israel at Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan , to go to the land of Gilead , to the land of their possession which they had possessed , according to the command of the Lord through Moses .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 22:1-9
Commentary on Joshua 22:1-9
(Read Joshua 22:1-9)
Joshua dismisses the tribes with good counsel. Those who have the commandment have it in vain, unless they do the commandment; and it will not be done aright unless we take diligent heed. In particular to love the Lord our God, as the best of beings, and the best of friends; and as far as that principle rules in the heart, there will be constant care and endeavour to walk in his ways, even those that are narrow and up-hill. In every instance to keep his commandments. At all times, and in all conditions, with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord, and to serve him and his kingdom among men, with all our heart, and with all our soul. This good counsel is given to all; may God give us grace to take it!