Title Reuben and Gad/Numbers 32:1∼42
Content 57. Reuben and Gad
Numbers 32:1-42
Israel's morale by destroying Midian seemed to skyrocket. However, there was an incident in which misfortune showed signs of division within them, namely, the land claim of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. Rather than continuing to conquer Canaan, these two tribes wanted to settle down with their wealth in the land they had already acquired.
They owned a lot of livestock, and the land of Asher and Gilead, east of the Jordan, seemed to be the best place for them to live.
Moses, however, rebuked the two tribes harshly for these demands, as they were motivated by selfishness not to share their sufferings with their brothers and because they raised concerns that they discouraged the other tribes from giving up the Promised Land.
“Have you forgotten the rebellion of Kadesh-Barnea of old? Your request is a rebellion against God’s command to conquer Canaan, and the result will be destruction.”
After hearing Moses' rebuke, the two tribes bowed their will and continued to participate in the war for conquest of Canaan. However, this was conditional acceptance.
This is because Moses had promised that they would return to live in this land after conquering the land of Canaan.
In this way, the other nine tribes were divided by lot by lot according to the general distribution rule, whereas the two tribes of Reuben Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh eventually received the land east of the Jordan as their inheritance.
However, in the distant future, the history of Israel denounced the idolatry of the half-tribe of Reuben Gad Manasseh and the Assyrian domination (1 Chronicles 5:25,26), who lived on the east side of the Jordan. I am proving it once.
We must remember that if we do not trust God and are drawn to the lust of the eyes, we may end up missing out on God's wonderful blessings!