Numbers 32:1-15
Arrived at the frontier of Canaan, the sons of Reuben and of Gad present themselves before Moses and before the princes with a sad request: " . . . bring us not over Jordan"! (v. 5). Moses in his indignation immediately thinks of Kadesh-barnea, forty years earlier. Is it once again unbelief, the fear of giants and fortified towns which makes these two tribes hold back? No indeed! But another unexpected reason: their flocks and herds! Victory over the Midianites has provided them with substantial booty (Numbers 31). Reuben and Gad have had their share of it; their flocks and herds are now very numerous. Their eyes rest upon the rich pastures of the land of Gilead in which they are camped, and they wish to establish themselves there. For them, to settle down in advantageous and comfortable conditions has more attraction than has the land promised by the LORD. Many Christians are like that, did you know? They are saved without doubt; they belong to God’s people. But the business of everyday life interests them more than eternity. Theirs is an earthly Christianity, a divided heart. Heaven for them has no present-day value. Does it not show how little devotion they have to the One who is there?