A robust community spirit was built among the people of God in the Old Testament, and it was meant to be for our example. Their society was structured in such a way that everybody served as their brother’s keeper. The text today contains the charge that Joshua gave to Reuben, Gad, and half of the children of Manasseh who got their own inheritance before the whole nation crossed Jordan. Here Joshua charged them not to rest, but be armed and help their brethren in the other tribes to lay hold of their own inheritance as well. That was exactly what they did; they fought as if their own inheritance was at stake. After years of conflict that saw the rest of the tribes possess their possession, Joshua blessed them and gave them leave to go and enjoy their inheritance with their families.

The rule in the community of faith people is corporate victory rather than individual glory…where the loss of one is the loss of all, and the victory of one is the victory of all.

What can we learn from this story? Different children of God get to the place of their destiny at different times: some early, some later. The good news is that we all can  possess what God has earmarked for us. For those who by grace arrive at their lot earlier, it is important to note that the victory is incomplete until their brethren are where God wants them to be. The rule in the community of faith people is corporate victory rather than individual glory. There is no room for selfishness among God’s people; it is only by working together in unity that we can hasten the divine agenda on earth. We are called to live the “Body Life” where the loss of one is the loss of all, and the victory of one is the victory of all.