Through Numbers Sýnishorn

Transjordanian Tribes 

Moses had passed the 'Torch of leadership', but he also had one more assignment to finish before his time on earth came to an end. Moses strategised for the battle against the Midianites. He gave guidelines including spoils divided by those who went for the campaign and those who stayed back. We see this principle, followed by David years later.

Moses guided the Israelites in their first battle to occupy the promised land. The campaign was won and on inspecting the loot, the presence of the spared women angered Moses. It was these women who, on Balaam's advice, had seduced the Israelite men which caused a plague and death of the Israelites. Moses did not want the nation of Isreal to sin again. Cleansing and consecration of the Israelites, along with captured the Moabites and the articles, was carried out

Now the land was empty and the tribe of Reubenites and Gadites asked to have this land as their inheritance. The request angered Moses; his first thought brought back memories of the Israelites not wanting to enter the promised land. He feared that this would demotivate the other tribes and they would refuse to enter the promised land. The solution that the Reubenites and Gadites would cross over and fight alongside their fellow Israelites while their family stayed back calmed everyone's nerves. They first built fortified cities for their family,

An essential log of the Israelite journey found in these chapters gives us an idea of the route followed by the Israelites. I have remembered God's provision and protection as I have logged my journey during the difficult times in my life. Remembering our past helps us to go through the present difficulties and look forward to the promise and hope of the future. However, there is a warning here. By choosing to stay in the past, we tend to complain about the present. With our complaining, we lose hope and fail to believe the promises God has given us about our future.

Finally, Moses, on God's direction, commands the Israelites to cross the Jordan and drive out the inhabitants of the land. Failure to do that would make the inhabitants be thorns in their sides. They would give Israelites trouble, and God will do to the Israelites the very thing he planned for their enemies.

Thought for the day: 

In which area of your life does God want you to let go and move on?

Lord, help me to let go in obedience and move on in life. 

Additional Reading - Numbers 31-33