"until the LORD gives rest to your brothers..."

⁸ So we took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon. ... ¹² “When we took possession of this land at that time, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites the territory beginning at Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with its cities. ¹³ The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, that is, all the region of Argob, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh. (All that portion of Bashan is called the land of Rephaim. ¹⁴ Jair the Manassite took all the region of Argob, that is, Bashan, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called the villages after his own name, Havvoth-jair, as it is to this day.) ¹⁵ To Machir I gave Gilead, ¹⁶ and to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border, as far over as the river Jabbok, the border of the Ammonites; ¹⁷ the Arabah also, with the Jordan as the border, from Chinnereth as far as the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah on the east.

¹⁸ “And I commanded you at that time, saying, ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel. ¹⁹ Only your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in the cities that I have given you, ²⁰ until the Lord gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also occupy the land that the Lord your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’
²¹ And I commanded Joshua at that time, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. So will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. ²² You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’
Deuteronomy 3:8, 12-22 (ESV)

I am struck by this passage. It hits a deep chord that resonates in my spirit. Yes. Yes. "Until the Lord gives your brothers rest." "Until they also possess the land which the Lord your God will give them."

What is the promised land? Hebrews 4 alludes to it being an analogy for entering into God's rest. Entering into His grace and rest from works of the flesh. It is a place dependence on His spirit, His power, His grace. It is the abundant life. Life IN Christ. The promised land, flowing with milk and honey, full of abundance and rest from the enemy who was defeated by His strength when they entered.

So why does this passage affect me so deeply? I've had so many conversations with so many believers from so many places. Not nearly enough as I would like... and I'm thankful for the opportunity live and interact with so many different brothers and sisters. But I see many who are new in their faith, or who are young in their faith, and are striving to understand the freedom of His grace. Who are still very much bound by rules, expectations, cultural norms, etc. Who are struggling with lies and don't have the truth in their own language. Sure, they have it in perhaps another language they try to access it in - but it is not clear, it doesn't make sense, they don't understand.

I feel the Holy Spirit nudging me to action. To taking up their struggle with prayer. To stand with them against the lies, speaking truth... maybe even standing with them to translate the truth into their own language and cultural context.

When I feel tempted to say, "I've had enough. I want to rest. Let me sit back and revel in my east-of-the-Jordan-River inheritance..." His spirit whispers, "What of your brothers and sisters... they have yet to claim their inheritance. No, My child, it is not time for rest, it is time for action. Until your brothers and sisters also receive their inheritance and their rest... the possession I have for them... then, and only then, is it the proper time to rest."

You see... there is no "fend for yourself" in His sovereign realm. There is only community, unity, and "one anothers." May I never, ever forget this, Lord. And each time I am tempted to pitch my tent, drive down stakes, and settle down in my own inheritance on this side of the Jordan... urge me out, and forward, with my brothers and sisters... until we can all together possess our inheritance of faith and rest.

¹⁰ And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, ¹¹ “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”
¹² And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, ¹³ “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’ ¹⁴ Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, ¹⁵ until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

Joshua 1:10-15, ESV