ON THE OTHER SIDE. Numbers 32 When a goal is clearly defined, falling short of that goal is essentially a form of defeat. Not every defeat arises from opposition, persecution, or even the subtle undermining of God's people by an relentless enemy. It is possible to be defeated, to fall short of a stated goal, because of our own actions. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, made a decision without considering God at all. Their choice to stay east of Jordan was driven by their cattle and the grasslands they could see from where they were. Their own interests dictated their actions, with no reference to God or His will.
When a child of God lets education, training, personal skills, and financial factors be the main basis for decision-making, they have made a serious mistake. There have always been, and always will be, worldly attractions that tempt us to follow them and settle somewhere short of God's perfect plan. When we allow our circumstances to lead our decisions, many issues and questions can arise. While it is true that we consider circumstances alongside other guidelines when making decisions, God's will and promises should be what truly guides our actions, not the circumstances.
The lush pastures that attracted their cattle prevented the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh from entering the promised land and receiving the inheritance God had planned for them. Only a few of the men, the warriors, ever saw what God had promised. The wives, children, and those who were not warriors were all impacted by the choice to let their possessions guide their actions.
It is possible that a person's occupation, their investments in the world, and the promise of material goods prevent them from ever receiving what God has promised. It is also important for us to remember that every decision we make impacts others besides ourselves. Some have moved to places where wages are high but morals are low. In that environment, their children and future generations often take on the characteristics of those around them. Very seldom does anyone escape the influence of the ungodly world that they were brought into by parents who "want to get ahead so my children don't have to work as hard as I did."
When we make decisions and base our conduct on God's revealed will, it resolves the complications that come from the pressures of society around us and the opportunities for advancement in worldly ways and work. Those things that appeal to our nature are overridden by our commitment to God and His promises. Both Reuben and Gad had mixed principles in the past. Their history involved living on the border of right and wrong, depending on what was happening or what they thought was advantageous at the moment. Without a commitment to scriptural guidelines and a sincere desire for God, questionable things are often viewed favorably despite the potential consequences in the future.
Moses condemned the request of those who wanted to stay east of Jordan. For years, his heart had been fixed on and longing for the promised land. But because of a wrong attitude and action on his part, God's judgment was that he could not enter. Now, there were thousands of people who could enter the promised land but chose not to. The spiritual perspective of a child of God is based on what God wants from and for them. How different that is from those who view life through mere natural eyes. Moses' heart was in Canaan even though he could not enter. The hearts of those east of Jordan were not in Canaan nor on God but on their material possessions. That same attraction among God's people today weakens us and makes us vulnerable to the world and, as with those east of Jordan, the first to fall when attacked by enemies.
Representatives of those who remained east of the Jordan led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and with that commitment, Moses was satisfied. The serious warning he gave them, "Be sure your sin will find you out," has become a widely used phrase ever since for people who make promises but don't keep them. A commitment to the terms of a covenant is required of us living in New Testament times just as it was for those in Old Testament times. The promise made by those men to Moses was in the form of a covenant. That seems honorable, and it was, but it still meant that many who could have lived in the land God promised would never do so.
Moses rightly feared what could happen to the entire nation if those tribes rebelled and seceded from Israel. He had been at the borderland before and understood the consequences that would fall on every one of God's people if they disobeyed His instructions. All of Christendom has been negatively impacted by man-made, man-inspired, man-centered decisions made by a few individuals, which have affected true Christians worldwide. For those who seek to be faithful to God's word and understand the goal of a glorious church—complete, pure, and made up only of true believers—and that this is God's plan—this counterfeit Christianity without genuine faith has greatly hindered God's work. The defeat of a few can negatively impact the entire family of God.
There were unfortunate consequences from making a decision based on the comfort of cows. It led to the construction of an altar and strained relations between those east of Jordan and those in the promised land. God has given us the promise of His presence with us when we gather with our Lord Jesus Christ alone and in His name alone. Those who are content east of Jordan will never truly enter or understand the difference between living in the promised land today and living where it is most convenient and profitable for us. It is crucial for the people of God not to settle short of where God wants us to be. We need to claim for ourselves the inheritance that those who live by faith can experience every day.
God has given us great blessings, and His promises in Christ are “yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” All that He promised is for us to possess. It is our responsibility to rise up, follow Him, and claim what God has given us. We must remember, before jumping to our own conclusions and acting for our self-interests, that there are those who need help to reach their goals. When we promise to assist and join in their great expectations, don’t walk away from your vow.
God has guided us for years and has supplied us abundantly. We and others have enjoyed His grace that always provides to meet our needs, and we hold in our hands and hearts what He offers. But what about the rest of God's people? It is wrong for me to have taken for myself everything I want and need while leaving the needs of others on the shelf. They need to know, and may require our help, to claim all that is promised to them in Christ.
We are not isolated as we walk through life. There are brothers and sisters in Christ who hope that the difficulties they face will come to an end. They need to know or be reminded that there really is light at the end of the dark tunnel they are in. I may be experiencing all that God wants me to have and be content in my heart with everything God has given me. The expectations I had are fulfilled each day, but others are still struggling. Not helping or coming alongside those who mourn someone who has died or who have lost a great hope or joy would be a terrible sin.
The mercy God has shown me and the grace He gives me daily enable me to share burdens. When I realize others also want to live with the possessions God provides, I hope I can help their hopes be fulfilled in God’s timing. To avoid sinning against the Lord by holding back, I want to help provide the hope and necessities they lack. Then, together, we will praise and worship God, who placed us on this path of faith, and we will rest and worship in holy unity.