Joshua reminds the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh of the advantages they had received in being the first tribes settled. The Lord had already appointed to them a particular land for rest, which apparently was uncontested. And yet, they are commanded by Joshua to aid their brothers in the fight for their land so that they might enjoy God’s rest together. This principle has spiritual application regarding those saints who have been blessed with further sanctification (greater degrees of deliverance and rest from particular sins), as well as practical application regarding those saints who have been blessed with further providence (accumulated wealth, established business, raised children, long and healthy marriages, etc).