Numbers chapter 32 explores the topic of settling for less than God’s best. The nation of Israel is poised to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wondering and four hundred years of captivity in Egypt. In this time of anticipation of God’s victory, two tribes (Rueben and Gad) come to Moses and ask something incredible. “If we have found favor in your eyes, let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.” Moses’ reaction is strong, “Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the Lord has given them?” Moses links the two things together. He is saying if you don’t have the desire to take what God has already given the nation, you are a discouragement to the rest of the nation. It is interesting in Hebrews 10:25, notice the reason given for going to church regularly: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another all the more as we see the Day approaching.” It seems just being there will encourage someone. Is there some area of life where you are discouraging others through your lack of faith?
Moses then rips into them with furry, “This is what your fathers did… they discouraged the Israelites from entering… The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and He made them wonder in the desert for forty years… And here you are a brood of sinners standing in the place of your fathers… you will be the cause of their destruction.” There are times when we need to confront our brothers when they are in rebellion. Sometimes we need to kick someone in the pants to make them see where they are falling short, and sometimes WE need a kick in the pants! Moses does not even address how their poor decision will affect them; his focus is on how it will affect everyone else. That is the solution for us today when we are falling short. Get your focus off your own situation and put others first. Amazing things happen to your own situation as a result.
The men of Gad and Rueben then come to Moses with a compromise, “We are ready to arm ourselves… meanwhile our women and children will live in a fortified city… we will not return until every Israelite has received any inheritance.” Moses allows them to inhabit the east side of the Jordan, but with conditions. “If you will arm yourselves for battle before the Lord… then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may return and be free of your obligation… but if you fail to do this you will be sinning against the Lord… do what you have promised.” Moses gave the land to the Gadites, the Ruebenites and the half tribe of Manasseh, “and they gave new names to the cities they rebuilt“. We are called “Ambassadors for Christ” in 2 Corinthians 5:20. That means we may have to step out of our comfort zone to represent Christ. Don’t miss the opportunity to encourage someone else because of inactivity.