03.04.2015 Old Testament: Num 32.20–24

To read the Bible in a year, read Numbers 32–33 on March 4, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Some of the tribes decided to stay on the East side of the Jordan, and that angered Moses, because he believed this would discourage the other tribes who had to fight to get their land on the West side of the Jordan.

However, the tribes staying on the East side explained to Moses that they would indeed settle on the East side, but that they would go before the other tribes and help them acquire their land through the wars that had to be fought. To this, Moses declared,

Then Moses said to them: “If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the Lord for the war, and all your armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven out His enemies from before Him, and the land is subdued before the Lord, then afterward you may return and be blameless before the Lord and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord. But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out. Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what has proceeded out of your mouth” (Numbers 32.20–24). 

He warned them that if they did not keep their promise, their sin would find them out, implying that they would suffer for it. Therefore, Moses held them to their promise, and they did what they said they would do, and they fought for the rest of the tribes.