Scripture - Num 32:1-8 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, 2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 3 "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the country which the LORD defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." 5 Therefore they said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan." 6 And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: "Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here? 7 Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?
Observation - The children of Reuben and Gad came to Moses and wanted to settle outside of God's plan - in a land that looked like it was pleasurable and sustaining. They had surveyed the land by their own human estimation and determined that it was good for their business. They proposed to Moses that they stop their and dwell in that land. Moses' response was quite direct. He said "Why would you stop here while the rest of us are fighting for the land God intended" "Why do you want to discourage the whole group with your actions". It is amazing to me the principle nestled in here. When we stop in a place that looks right but is shy of God's purpose - not only do we abandon the greater mission, we discourage the rest of the troops. We never want to stop shy of God's ultimate plan for our life. We need to keep fighting and keep moving forward to walk in the land HE has provided - not one that meets most of our earthly criteria.
Application - The land we are in may not be the land we are designed for. Even though the results are relatively good - God wants phenomenal results. We need to keep moving and taking ground until we have been given a release from God.
Prayer - Father - Don't let me survey the land based upon my assessment. This is all yours and I am simply honored to be a steward over it. Help me to keep my eyes on the real prize.
Observation - The children of Reuben and Gad came to Moses and wanted to settle outside of God's plan - in a land that looked like it was pleasurable and sustaining. They had surveyed the land by their own human estimation and determined that it was good for their business. They proposed to Moses that they stop their and dwell in that land. Moses' response was quite direct. He said "Why would you stop here while the rest of us are fighting for the land God intended" "Why do you want to discourage the whole group with your actions". It is amazing to me the principle nestled in here. When we stop in a place that looks right but is shy of God's purpose - not only do we abandon the greater mission, we discourage the rest of the troops. We never want to stop shy of God's ultimate plan for our life. We need to keep fighting and keep moving forward to walk in the land HE has provided - not one that meets most of our earthly criteria.
Application - The land we are in may not be the land we are designed for. Even though the results are relatively good - God wants phenomenal results. We need to keep moving and taking ground until we have been given a release from God.
Prayer - Father - Don't let me survey the land based upon my assessment. This is all yours and I am simply honored to be a steward over it. Help me to keep my eyes on the real prize.
