Obedience to God's Commands in Joshua 22:5
Joshua 22:5 states, "Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, to love Yahweh 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" [1]. This verse encapsulates Joshua's final charge to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh as they prepare to return to their inheritance east of the Jordan River [5].
The broader context of Joshua 22:5 is Joshua's commendation of these eastern tribes for their faithful obedience in helping the other Israelite tribes conquer Canaan, fulfilling their promise made earlier in the narrative (Joshua 1:12-18; Numbers 32:1-32) [5]. Joshua's words in this passage echo God's initial instructions to Joshua at the beginning of the conquest (Joshua 1:1-9), emphasizing that continued faithfulness to God is essential for Israel to remain in the land [4].
The passage stresses several key aspects of obedience. "Diligent heed" implies careful attention to God's commands [2]. The "commandment and the law" refer to the Ten Commandments and all other laws, both ceremonial and civil, that Moses delivered from God [3]. Adam Clarke notes that "the commandment" refers to moral precepts, while "the law" encompasses the rites and ceremonies of their religion [2].
Central to this obedience is the command "to love the Lord your God,"
Sources
- Joshua “Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, to love Yahweh 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.” -- Joshua 22:5”
- Joshua (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Joshua 22:5: But take diligent heed, etc. - Let us examine the force of this excellent advice; they must ever consider that their prosperity and continued possession of the land depended on their fidelity and obedience to God; to this they must take diligent heed. Do the commandment - They must pay the strictest regard to every moral precept. And the law - They must observe all the rites and ceremonies of their holy religion. Love the Lord your God - Without an affectionate filial attachment to their Maker, duty would be irksome, grievous, and impossible. Walk in all his ways - ”
- Joshua (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joshua 22:4: But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law,.... The ten commandments, and all other laws, both ceremonial and civil: which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you; in the name of the Lord, to keep and observe: to love the Lord your God; of which keeping the commands of God is an evidence, and which is the true principle and motive of hearty, sincere, and cheerful obedience to them: and to walk in all his ways; which he has prescribed, all his ways of worship, paths of duty, faith, truth, holiness, and righteousness: and to keep his commandments”
- Joshua (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joshua 22:4: 22:4-6 Joshua’s words recall God’s words to Joshua at the beginning of the conquest (1:1-9). In order to live in the land, Israel needed to be faithful to God by being very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions given to Moses.”
- Joshua (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joshua 22:2: 22:2-3 Joshua commended the eastern tribes for their faithful obedience and the fulfillment of their promise to help the rest of Israel inhabit Canaan (see 1:12-18; Num 32:1-32).”