The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Numbers 32:5,
"'If we have found favor in your eyes,' they said, 'let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.'"
As the time began to draw near for Israel to cross the Jordan River and enter the promised land to take it from the current inhabitants, the tribes of Reuben and Gad approached Moses to see if they could stay on the east side of the Jordan and not go in. The Israelites had already vanquished inhabitants on the east side and these two tribes saw the land there was good for livestock. Since both had "very large herds and flocks", verse 1, they wanted to take that land for themselves.
Moses became angry with them and called them a brood of sinners, verse 14. He pointed out that forty years earlier the Israelites refused to go into the land to take it from the Canaanites-- so the Lord condemned them to wandering in the wilderness for the forty years until that whole generation had passed. Moses viewed the request by these two tribes as engaging in the same disobedience - a reluctance to participate in what the Lord wanted done.
All was resolved, however, when the Reubenites and Gadites agreed to cross the Jordan (even ahead of the others) and join the fight and not leave till all the other tribes received their part of the land first. Moses accepted the proposal and told Eleazar to make sure these two tribes got the land they had requested.
The account causes me to think of us today. Then, the Lord had things he wanted accomplished by his people Israel, and they refused. As a result they incurred his wrath. Today, the Lord has things he wants accomplished by his people. He is building his kingdom and we all have our part to play.
It is God's will that we participate with him as he builds his kingdom. Here are a few passages to consider:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.
"Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church." 1 Corinthians 14:12.
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7.
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts." 1 Corinthians 12:27-31.
As the tribes of Reuben and Gad agreed to do what was requested of them by the Lord, how about us? What are we doing to help the Lord build his kingdom? What part of it are we involved in? We all have a part to play.
Here is a good starting point, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
"'If we have found favor in your eyes,' they said, 'let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.'"
As the time began to draw near for Israel to cross the Jordan River and enter the promised land to take it from the current inhabitants, the tribes of Reuben and Gad approached Moses to see if they could stay on the east side of the Jordan and not go in. The Israelites had already vanquished inhabitants on the east side and these two tribes saw the land there was good for livestock. Since both had "very large herds and flocks", verse 1, they wanted to take that land for themselves.
Moses became angry with them and called them a brood of sinners, verse 14. He pointed out that forty years earlier the Israelites refused to go into the land to take it from the Canaanites-- so the Lord condemned them to wandering in the wilderness for the forty years until that whole generation had passed. Moses viewed the request by these two tribes as engaging in the same disobedience - a reluctance to participate in what the Lord wanted done.
All was resolved, however, when the Reubenites and Gadites agreed to cross the Jordan (even ahead of the others) and join the fight and not leave till all the other tribes received their part of the land first. Moses accepted the proposal and told Eleazar to make sure these two tribes got the land they had requested.
The account causes me to think of us today. Then, the Lord had things he wanted accomplished by his people Israel, and they refused. As a result they incurred his wrath. Today, the Lord has things he wants accomplished by his people. He is building his kingdom and we all have our part to play.
It is God's will that we participate with him as he builds his kingdom. Here are a few passages to consider:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.
"Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church." 1 Corinthians 14:12.
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7.
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts." 1 Corinthians 12:27-31.
As the tribes of Reuben and Gad agreed to do what was requested of them by the Lord, how about us? What are we doing to help the Lord build his kingdom? What part of it are we involved in? We all have a part to play.
Here is a good starting point, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
How am I engaged in God's agenda? What part am I involved in today?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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