"Be sure your sin will find you out.”

Numbers 32:16–42
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The Israelites had been camped in the plains of Moab, across from Jericho. From this position they were ready to enter the Promised Land. The tribes of Reuben and Gad went to Moses and tried to assure him they had no desire to shirk their responsibility of conquering the land west of the Jordan. Only after Canaan had been conquered and the other tribes had been secured would they return to the Trans-Jordan territory and settle down (vv. 16-19). However, first they would like to provide pens for their livestock and make fortification to protect their wives and children. Moses agreed to this plan but said if they failed to carry out their promises, their sin would find them out (v. 23) and they would lose the land they requested. Since Moses would not live much longer he outlined all these arrangements and pledges to Eleazar and Joshua.

The nation lingered long enough for the two and a half tribes to move into their land, defeat the enemies that remained, and get their families and flocks settled. But we can’t help wondering if these  Transjordanic tribes made a good choice or not. They were outside the land of promise and separated from the rest of the nation.

Some people are like the older generation of Jews that perished in their wandering and never entered the land. Others are like the ten spies who visited the land and saw all it had to offer but failed to enter in. The Trans-Jordanic tribes entered the land but didn’t stay there. They preferred to live on the border and raise their cattle. God wants His people to enter the land, claim the victory, and enjoy the blessings. And if there was a motto in the land of self, it would be: “Don’t rock the boat.” Don’t make people uncomfortable, don’t stir things up. And it’s an easy land to live in but a hard land to leave. The rewards may be few, the satisfaction may be gone, we won’t be fulfilling our true Christian duty, but you know what? “We’ll be comfortable.”

Application

Reuben and Gad promised to keep working with the others until everyone’s land was conquered. I must not let myself get so comfortable that I fail to see the need of helping others.