Read: Num. 31-32
God had Israel do away with the Midianites. They had joined with Balak in cursing Israel and when it didn’t work, Balaam had stayed with them and was successful in integrating the Israelites into their worship of Baal-Peor which included licentious orgies. They only allowed the virgin woman to live and blotted out the rest of them. They were to purify all the spoils through the fire and water.
The leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad came to Moses and told him that because they had such a large group of cattle and the land they were in at the time was perfect for them, they wanted to stay there instead of going into the land God had promised. They agreed to help the other tribes fight for their land. They promised to fight till every tribe had their inheritance before they came home to theirs. Moses allowed them to do this as long as they sent their servants to fight for the other tribes. Half of Manasseh also stayed behind.
How sad to me that these tribes would take what they could see, only to pass up what was promised that they had never seen. They took the sure thing instead of walking by faith. I think many times we find ourselves doing the same thing. We choose the immediate sure thing instead of going the distance and seeing what was waiting for us in the land of faith. God didn’t punish them for their lack of faith, but I’m sure it was not as good for them on that side of the Jordan.
Lord, help us not to settle for the comfortable and lose the adventure that you have for us in the land of faith.
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