The tribes of Reuben and Gad approach Moses with a request: the land east of the Jordan is perfect for livestock, and they have lots of livestock. Can they settle there instead of in the Promised Land proper?
Moses thinks they're trying to avoid the conquest. He's angry. But they negotiate - they'll leave their women and children, their livestock, behind. Their fighting men will go into the land with the other tribes. Then they'll come back to their property.
He agrees, but with a warning: if you don't do this, you'll have sinned against the LORD. I'm struck by that. The agreement isn't about territory. It's about commitment. These tribes are settling for less - the land east of Jordan rather than the land west - and they're trusting themselves to follow through on the harder choice once that choice isn't directly in front of them.
We do this all the time. We make compromises that feel practical. We promise we'll come back to the harder thing. I told myself I'd date non-believers temporarily, then come back to my faith for real. I told myself I'd get just one thing from the store I promised not to go to. Compromise followed by a promise to renew the original commitment.
Moses let them settle for the easier land on the condition they stay faithful to the harder conquest. Sometimes God permits our compromises on the condition that we don't lose the main thing. But the main thing has to remain the main thing.
No comments yet. Be the first.