08/15/2008
Numbers 32:1 - 6 (HCSB) 1The Reubenites and Gadites had a very large number of livestock. When they surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, they saw that the region was a [good] one for livestock. 2So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the community and said: 3“[The territory of] Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4which the LORD struck down before the community of Israel, is [good] land for livestock, and your servants own livestock.” 5They said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Don’t make us cross the Jordan.”
6But Moses asked the Gadites and Reubenites, “Should your brothers go to war while you stay here?
Numbers 32:16 - 19 (HCSB) 16Then they approached him and said, “We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our dependents. 17But we will arm ourselves and be ready [to go] ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our dependents will remain in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has taken possession of his inheritance. 19Yet we will not have an inheritance with them across the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance will be across the Jordan to the east.”
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The Israelites had conquered the area east of the Jordan River (present day occupied by Jordan). Two of the tribes who were primarily herders petitioned Moses to settle there. Moses initial response is that they are abandoning their brother tribes. But they respond that they will not only go to battle with their brother tribes, but that they will go ahead of the other tribes and will not return to this land until all of Israel has come into its inheritance.
Here is a lesson for us all: Just because the work around us seems to be done, does not mean that there is no more work to be done. God is always at work and will continue to work until His kingdom rules the earth. We must never forget that while our land appears to be “conquered” that more battles are still to be fought.
We must support all our Christian brothers and sisters. This may be financially through assisting missionary efforts; through prayers; or even things as simple as words of encouragement.
We should never “rest” until His kingdom has come.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
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