Life is full of challenges! No sooner than God called and
commissioned Joshua to take the place of the great Moses and lead the people of
Israel into the Promise Land, there was an issue with three of the tribes. We
must face the reality that the Christian life is not a bed of roses but is a time
of troubles, trials, temptations, testing, and tribulation. Jesus had warned
His disciples in John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me
you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world."
After Joshua personally been encouraged by the LORD in
verses 1-9, and he had encouraged the leaders and officers of the people, he had
a special word for the two and a half tribes that lived on the other side of
Jordan and had already received their inheritance (Numbers 32). He reminded
them of Moses' words of instruction and warning (Deut. 3:12-20) and urged them
to keep the promise they had made.
Joshua was concerned that Israel be a united people in
conquering the land and in worshiping the Lord. The two and a half tribes did
keep their promise to help conquer the land, but they still created a problem
for Joshua and Israel because they lived on the other side of the Jordan (Josh.
22).
In the nation of Israel, it was the able men twenty years
and older who went out to war (Numbers 1:3); and the record shows that the two
and a half tribes had 136,930 men available (Numbers 26:7, 18, 34). But only
40,000 men actually crossed the Jordan and fought in the Promised Land (Joshua
4:13). The rest of the recruits stayed to protect the women and children in the
cities the tribes had taken in the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead (Numbers
32:1-5,16-19). When the soldiers returned home, they shared the spoils of war
with their brothers (Joshua 22:6-8).
It was a concession on Moses' part to allow the two and a
half tribes to live outside the Promised Land. The tribes liked the land there
because it was "a place for cattle" (Numbers 32:1, 4, 16).
Apparently their first concern was making a living, not making a life. They
would rather have big flocks and herds than dwell with their brothers and
sisters in the inheritance God had given them.
When Moses gave in to their request to stay on the east side
of the Jordan, he had also warned them that if they didn’t keep their promise
to send their men of war ahead the army into the Promise Land, God would hold
them accountable. Numbers 32:23: “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.”
These three tribes were far from the place of worship and
had to erect a special monument to remind their children that they were
citizens of Israel (Joshua 22:10-34). They represent the many "borderline
believers" in the church today who get close to the inheritance, but never
quite claim it, no matter how successful they may seem to be. They are willing
to serve the Lord and help their brethren for a time; but when their appointed
job is finished, they head for home to do what they want to do.
May the Lord give us grace today not to be “borderline
Christians” but be fully committed followers of Jesus Christ who are courageous
enough to stand up for the truth in a corrupt and evil culture!
God bless!
