1 chronicles 5 reminds me how separation can lead to division in marriage. We are told; the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh did not cross over the Jordon River, but settled on the eastern side. In Joshua 1:15, God gave them conditional approval, but first they were to fight the united battle. “You are to help your brothers…until they too have taken possession of the land… After that, you may go back and occupy your own land“. In today’s chapter we read, “The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle“. The physical separation necessitated them being great fighters because they lacked the natural protection. It also left them spiritually separated and vulnerable to corruption of the heart. The chapter begins with one of the issues that caused strife. “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel… but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph“. Are you allowing old wounds to keep you from spiritual unity?
Clearly they began their fight together with God and the other tribes, “They were helped in fighting… because they cried out to Him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him“. We read reason for their success was they recognized “the battle was God’s“. The chapter ends with a sad commentary, “They were brave warriors, famous men, and heads of their families. But they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria… who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile“. These tribes kept their legal commitment, but fell away spiritually over time. This separation lead to jealousy, mistrust and eventually they were conquered by the enemy. Being spiritually alone is never a good thing.
God designed marriage to be a symbol of our spiritual relationship with Him. When we face life’s battles together, it is so much easier to remember the battle is God’s! In a marriage, there is a link between intimacy and spiritual closeness. Both reinforce and strengthen each other. Where intimacy ceases, the spiritual bond is strained, ultimately lack of communication magnifies differences. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and that may be true for a short time; but after a while, distance creates difference. 1 Corinthians chapter 7 has much to say about marriage. 7:5 explains that lack of unity opens the door for the enemy. “Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control“. Are you feeling isolated? Begin with trusting that God will hear your call. The battle we face today belongs to the Lord. Seek intimacy with Him first and the differences will fall away.