United, Yet Divided

O. T. #359  "United, Yet Divided"
Sept. 8, 2014
Numbers 32
Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.  Numbers 32:5

LET IT GLOW

Has your family ever been divided on an issue? Ours has. I believed a course of action was wrong, not trusting in God, waiting on His timing and provision. Taking matters into their own hands. But I was out numbered and my conviction was overruled. They went ahead and did it anyway. It was not a happy process to endure. It definitely challenged my faith. Although we were divided on an issue, we were still united as a family, lovingly supportive of their decision. Looking back, maybe God used this method to provide what could not have otherwise have been. So far, all is well.
Two tribes of Israel wanted to go on their own, be divided from the rest of the nation by a river. Take a look into this matter.

Here they are, Israel is camped in the newly conquered land of Moab where the Midianites were defeated. It was a land for the cattle to graze. Look around and see. That's what the children of Gad and the children of Reuben did. (The half tribe of Manasseh would later join them.) It was so great, in fact, they wanted to stay there, settle down, settle in, make their homeland. (These tribes had herds of cattle.)
Actually, who would not want to cross over Jordan into the Promised Land? Do we? Are we willing to do whatever it takes for us to experience our Promised Land, what God wants to give us here and now? Will we live by faith or by sight? (Of course, heaven is our ultimate Promised Land.)

So their leaders approached Moses and Eleazar with a proposition:

• If we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.
• These two tribes wanted to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan River (from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee).
• As we have said, both of the tribes of Gad and Reuben wanted the ideal land for their herds. 
• Also, both tribes had suffered a decrease in population from the first to last census. Maybe they felt it was better for them to select their own land than to cast lots with the others.

Where is their faith? Are they only living by sight? To me, if your tribe is smaller in number, then it would be safer to be have the rest of the nation close by rather than be separated. However, they didn't think that way, apparently.
Do we seek God's grace in a matter so He allows us to partially obey Him? Sometimes going our own way is not the best way. God always knows what is best for us.


LET IT GROW

I wonder if the old lawgiver's thoughts went back to the tragedy when Israel rebelled  at Kadesh. (The people listened to the ten spies report on the giants in the land and refused to go conquer it.) Moses lived through the 38-40 years of the people, which were 20 years and older, dying off. What an experience in the wilderness.)

What was Moses' response to the request?

• Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here?
• Why are you discouraging the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them?
• Your father did the same thing at Kadesh Barnea, discouraging entrance into the land the LORD had given them. They aroused the LORD's anger.
• It resulted in them not following God wholeheartedly. (verse 11,NIV) Their doubt in God's ability to give them the land was considered evil.(verse 13)
• Not one of the men age 20 and up got to see the Promised Land,(much less enter it).
• Except for Caleb and Joshua who followed the LORD wholeheartedly, so these two would get to enter. (Moses got to see it earlier.) These three saw what a beautifully lush land that was waiting for them to come.
• Moses warned these two tribes that they were doing the same thing. If they turned away from following God, He would again leave all this people in the desert, and you will be the cause of their destruction.

I am going to stop there in the middle of the story. Find out what happened tomorrow.
Joshua and Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly; He said so. Their trust and complete faith was in what God said He would do-give them the Promised Land. (Numbers 14 and Joshua 14 give us more insight.)

 God warns us to wholeheartedly follow Him, as well as obey, love, seek, and believe Him wholeheartedly. Are we doing it with all of our heart?

Wholehearted means to be complete, full.
Wholehearted obedience is wholly obeying God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30)

God is pleased when we wholeheartedly follow Him. The question is, "Are we?"


LET IT GO

Walk by faith, not by sight.

Wholeheartedly follow the Lord God.

Love God with all my heart, soul, and mind.

Love my neighbor as myself.

Completely follow His Word and Spirit.