Joshua disbanded the army because the land was at rest from war. It was time to send everyone home to enjoy the inheritance of the Lord. He singled out for special mention those tribes on the west side of the Jordan in Gilead, Gad, Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh. Technically they resided outside of the Promised Land. Joshua gave them strong advice as he cautioned them to always observe the commands of the Lord as received from Moses. He was concerned that since they were far away from their brethren they would forget God and fall into temptation.
The concern and care that Joshua expressed is an example to all believers. We need one another for mutual encouragement and edification. When Christians fall out of fellowship with other believers, it is quite easy for them to fall into despair or idolatry, false teaching, disobedience and sin, to turn their back on the Lord and embrace the ways of the world. As brethren we have a responsibility to help them keep on the right path. Yet when we warn them we must not do so in a judgmental, legalistic or haughty manner as if we were better than they. We should always warn our brethren of the dangers of sin and compromise with a spirit of love, concern and humility. We must seek to protect them, not exalt our ego or prove ourselves right.
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