After the Levitical cities are assigned, Joshua commends the two-and-a-half eastern tribes, and grants them permission to return to their homes, east of the Jordan (Joshua 22:1-5). His words to them bear special attention.

In verse 4, Joshua says: ″Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.″ This verse has a triple significance. First, it reaffirms the promises kept by the Lord. Second, it reaffirms the lands granted by Moses, God's representative. Third, it affirms the promises kept by the eastern tribes to help their fellow Israelites conquer the rest of the promised land.

In verse 5, Joshua adds: ″But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.″ I believe this is one of the key verses in this book (the other being 24:15).

Each of Joshua's five challenges applies to you and me today.

First, we are to read and keep God's Word.

Second, we are to love the Lord our God.

Third, we are to obey all of His commands. In this regard, Joshua himself is a stellar example.

Fourth, like Joshua, we are to hold fast to the Lord. Our journey of faith is to be a lifelong commitment to finish well in the Lord's eyes.

Fifth, we are to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. Serving God can be done in three ways: wholeheartedly, half-heartedly, or no-heartedly. Only the first brings blessing, the second is unsustainable, and the third will only end in disaster.

After Joshua's stirring challenge, the eastern tribes head home (22:6-9). Their actions and allegiance are soon questioned, however, and civil war is narrowly averted–thanks to Phinehas (vv. 10-33). How good that Phinehas listened to the facts and was willing to change his mind.

Why the focus on Aaron's grandson Phinehas? Like Moses and Joshua, Phinehas is a servant of the Lord, ready to do whatever the Lord commands. As a result, it ″was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come″ (Psalm 106:31). Like Joshua and Phinehas, may we always be ready do what the Lord commands!