Deuteronomy 3:20
Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.
Deuteronomy 3:20
Moses continues to lay out conditions of possession: only after the LORD has given rest to the other tribes should they return to their own inheritance beyond the Jordan. The emphasis on “rest” echoes the larger Deuteronomic motif: the land is a gift of rest—a break from wandering, a place to settle, cultivate, and worship. This verse reflects strategic planning and mutual interdependence within the nation. The tribes west of the Jordan would not rush ahead until their brethren across the river have achieved full settlement and security.
This verse communicates a theology of communal blessing and interdependence. God’s promise to the whole nation requires patience and cooperation. It also emphasizes that God’s redemptive work is not isolated to a single tribe or region, but extends to the entire community. Rest is not merely physical but spiritual—rest in God’s provision, rest from the pressures of conquest when the land is secure, and a stable Israelite life under God’s law.
Application today: (1) Practice patience in pursuing goals, recognizing others’ needs and timelines. (2) Celebrate communal milestones and support others’ successes. (3) Build systems that ensure sustainable, long-term rest for your household and community—resilience, not rapid conquest. (4) See rest as a spiritual discipline—time to worship, reflect, and renew faith. The verse invites a rhythms-based approach to life, where rest and work are ordered under God’s blessing.
Cross-References: Exodus 33:14; Psalm 23:2; Hebrews 4:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:17; Colossians 3:23-24