Journal Through the Bible: Week 25 Thursday

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Numbers chapter 32

The tribes of Reuben and Gad saw the pastureland that they had just conquered and requested permission to settle there on the east side of the Jordan River. Moses' fear was that these tribes would discourage the hearts of the other tribes from going across and taking possession of the land on the west side like the original spies had done almost 40 years earlier. The men replied that they would not only settle their families and livestock onto the east bank but that they would then lead the charge on the west bank to help the other tribes to settle onto the land promised to them by God.

Does God issue any commands?

• Not explicitly, but the inference in verses 20-25 is that the men of Reuben and Gad were commanded to keep their vow of helping the others obtain their inheritance.
• Based upon the agreement, God commanded via Moses to give the tribes of Reuben and Gad possessions in Gilead. He also included half the tribe of Manasseh in that eastern inheritance.

Does God make any promises?

• One of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was now being fulfilled by the tribes settling into the land of the Canaanites on the east side of the Jordan River.
• Through Moses, God promised that if the tribe of Reuben and Gad would keep their vow of helping the other tribes obtain their inheritance they could settle peacefully onto the land they wanted on the east bank, but if they did not fulfill their vow they would be punished. (This is where the often quoted verse, "Be sure your sin will find you out" is found and what it is about.)

Does it teach anything about Jesus?

• The tribes that settled on the eastern side of the Jordan were a picture of Jesus who was the first to receive the promised possession once He had put away our sin knowing that He would then be able to help His brethren (those who believe on Him) to obtain their inheritance also.

Does it teach anything about yet-future events?

• The vow of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh to help their brethren obtain an identical inheritance reminds us that someday we will obtain our promised inheritance also because Jesus, our Brother, has promised that He has prepared a place for us (John chapter 14) and through Him we can have an inheritance with Him in Heaven and on the New Earth.