How does Joshua 22:6 connect to Jesus' teachings on blessing others? Setting the Scene in Joshua 22:6 “Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.” (Joshua 22:6) • After years of fighting alongside the rest of Israel, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh receive permission to return east of the Jordan. • Joshua does not dismiss them with a mere military commendation; he blesses them. The Hebrew verb implies invoking God’s favor, underscoring that blessing is more than kind words—it is a deliberate act of calling down God’s goodness on others. • This blessing sets a pattern: God’s people are to release one another with grace, generosity, and a spoken affirmation of the Lord’s favor. A Pattern of Blessing Established • Blessing is woven throughout Scripture—from God blessing Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:28) to Aaron blessing the nation (Numbers 6:24-26). • Joshua continues that thread, demonstrating that even at the end of a hard assignment, God’s people should part with words of life, not mere logistics. • The act is literal: Joshua speaks a real, authoritative blessing, trusting God to fulfill it. Jesus Amplifies the Call to Bless • Luke 6:27-28: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” • Matthew 5:44: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” • Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” • Romans 12:14: “Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.” • 1 Peter 3:9: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Parallels Between Joshua and Jesus’ Words • Intentional choice: Joshua chooses to bless; Jesus commands the same intentionality—even toward enemies. • Spoken declaration: Both emphasize verbal blessing, not silent goodwill. • Forward-looking faith: Joshua’s blessing looks ahead to peaceful settlement; Jesus’ blessing looks ahead to kingdom reward (Matthew 5:12). • Community health: Joshua’s act maintains unity after a potential division; Jesus’ teaching preserves unity within the broader human family, breaking cycles of retaliation. Practical Steps to Imitate This Blessing Lifestyle • Speak blessing when releasing others—children leaving home, coworkers changing jobs, friends relocating. • Replace critical talk with a prayerful declaration of God’s favor, echoing Joshua’s example. • Treat every departure or disagreement as an opportunity to affirm rather than condemn. • Extend blessing beyond allies; include those who oppose or misunderstand you, obeying Luke 6:28 literally. • Remember the promise attached: “that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). Living out Joshua 22:6 in light of Jesus’ teaching positions believers to both give and receive God’s gracious favor. |
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