Numbers 32 - 9.30.21
Scripture - What stood out?
Number 32:16-18
Then they came near to him and said, “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones, 17 but we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our homes until each of the people of Israel has gained his inheritance.
Observation - What does it say?
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh choose to settle on the east side of the Jordan river. They saw the land was good for livestock and chose to settle there. This land is not to be confused with the promised land that is west of the Jordan river. The two and a half tribes agree to send their men with the rest of the nation so that they may conquer and inhabit the land that God had intended for the entire nation.
Understanding - What does it mean?
They settled for less than God’s promise.
The tribe of Reuben is named after the first son of Jacob. The same son who slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah. The same son who would step in and try to save his younger brother Joseph from the rest of his brothers.
Lord, Jesus I am puzzled. Why would anyone want to stop short of receiving fully one of Your promises? Matthew Henry in his commentary of this chapter writes:
Two things common in the world might lead these tribes to make this choice; the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. There was much amiss in the principle they went upon; they consulted their own private convenience more than the public good. Thus to the present time, many seek their own things more than the things of Jesus Christ;
Another author asks, how did the tribe of Reuben and Gad know that these lands were better than what was on the other side of Jordan?
For while the land was at once pleasing to their eye and appeared to be a great choice, they were vulnerable to attack. And they would find this out the hard way as they would later on become the first stop for the king of Assyria as he marched on towards the rest of the Israelite nation.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Have I settled for less than Your promises?
Lord, I can’t stop asking myself this question. I have been thinking about watershed moments in my life present and past and I keep asking myself - did I trade in a promise of Yours for the lust of my eye? If so please continue to reveal to me Lord. Help me to repent. Help me Holy Spirit because I need to be transformed into somebody that will never stop shy of God’s promises. Ever.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
Your servant,
-kenneth lee
