Discover His heart: Just as He is faithful to His word, He expects the same from us
Sometimes it’s difficult to accept people at their word, particularly if we don’t know them very well. In fact, if we’ve been taken a few times, it’s easy to become a little cynical when we’ve provided goods or service for someone in exchange for a promise to return with a payment. When I’m asked to do this at my book table, I have to admit I sometimes hesitate for a second or two. That old spirit of suspicion creeps in, and I wonder if I’ll ever see the promised payment. I’ve learned, however, sometimes for God’s people to be blessed, we have to put aside cynicism or preconceived ideas and just trust.
@ Numbers 32
Moses understood this scenario all too well. After leading this challenging group of Israelites for over 40 years and experiencing many disappointing responses from them, He was asked a favor, a request from the men of Gad and Reuben that involved trust. “The Lord has conquered this whole area for the community of Israel, and it is ideally suited for all our livestock. If we have found favor with you, please let us have this land as our property instead of giving us land across the Jordan River.”(4-5) Because Canaan was to be divided amongst the tribes of Israel, this request did not seem so unreasonable, except that the rest of the territory west of the Jordan had not yet been conquered!
Moses may have choked on his manna at this request as he offered this immediate response, “‘Do you intend to stay here while your brothers go across and do all the fighting?’ Moses asked the men of Gad and Reuben. ‘Why do you want to discourage the rest of the people of Israel from going across to the land the Lord has given them? Your ancestors did the same thing when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land…’” (6-8), etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Moses ends with, “You brood of sinners, doing exactly the same thing!” (14)
Even a great leader like Moses was capable of jumping to the wrong conclusion on occasion. The men of Gad and Reuben had no intention of deserting their brothers before conquering the land. They desired to leave their wives and flocks east of the Jordan while they joined their brothers in the battle for the rest of the territory. These tribes were true to their word and fought alongside their brothers until the land was conquered.
We can’t really fault Moses for misjudging the intention of these tribes. As a whole, the Israelites had not lived over the previous 40 years in a manner that would develop trust in them, but giving others the benefit of the doubt rather than living with cynicism is a much more enjoyable way to live. If we lose something tangible in the process, it’s good to remember everything in this life is fleeting. On the other hand, if we live our lives in a way that builds trust in the hearts of others regarding us, this discussion is a moot point. I’ve always told teenagers that their parents will trust them when given a reason to do so, and the same is true for us in our relationships.
Perhaps Moses was sensitive to the request of Reuben and Gad for another reason as well. Why did these tribes desire to stop short of the Promised Land? Rich pastures and grazing land were a substitute for God’s intended blessing for them. Some people just choose to live on the edge of God’s blessing, but then that’s a discussion for another day.
Moving Forward: I choose to live my life today without cynicism towards others and to live with integrity so that others will know I am true to my word.
Tomorrow @ 2 Chronicles 11-15
Phyllis Benigas 