CHOICE

Paul Lynn
Topeka, KS

“Bring us not over Jordan,”

In Num 32 the tribes of Israel are east of Jordan preparing to enter the Promised Land. This is the culmination of their years of wanderings and warfare as related in the Book of Numbers.

At first reading, the request of Reuben and Gad, later joined by the half-tribe of Manasseh, seems acceptable. Their consent to enter into the battles for Canaan on behalf of their bretheren also, upon casual reading, seems most generous. It is as we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate this account, in the light of the later history of these tribes, that we see the spiritual importance of their choice.

This was a deliberate decision on the part of these tribes. Like so many of God’s people, they didn’t want to cross over Jordan, which speaks of death with Christ and death to self and wordly affections.

Moses reminds Reuben and Gad of the failure of the previous generation to enter Canaan at Kadesh-barnea, as recorded in Num 14.

Their reply really discloses their hearts; vs. 19, “Because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward.” This “I want mine now” attitude often rears its ugly head among God’s people. Yes, they did cross over; but their hearts were not in it. They left their livestock and families east of Jordan, vowing one day to return. Their treasure was not in Canaan. Jesus warned of this heart-attitude in Mt. 6:19-21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Many of God’s children make life choices based upon world conditions. They fail to consider God’s will. When things go wrong, often they have the audaciousness to demand that God “has to do something” on their behalf. James speaks of such in James 4:13-17: “Today or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain ... For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will...”

These tribes who settled east of Jordan were quite successful by wordly standards. They were what we might call “cattle barons.” Spiritually speaking, they were bankrupt.

Division in the nation Joshua 22:10

Joshua, Moses’ successor, didn’t require the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to remain in Canaan, Joshua 22:1. God yearns for His people to enter into their inheritance; but He doesn’t force them to do so.

In Joshua 22:10 we see one tragic result of this choice to settle east of Jordan. These eastern tribes built their own altar. This was in direct disobedience to God’s command, Deut 12:13-14, “Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest.” See also Lev. 17:8-9. Notice that this was “A great altar to see to,” Josh 22:10. The greatness of a religious work is not the sole indicator of God’s approval.

Isolation and inability I Kings 22:

This choice of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, had consequences reaching far beyond the day in which it was decided. These eastern tribes are isolated from the rest of the nation. They are unable to possess their inheritance. What a sad picture of many of God’s people. They choose to separate from saints of “like precious faith.” They become weak and isolated, an easy prey for the enemy. They are setting themselves up for defeat by their worldly choices.

Defeat II Kings 10:32

God used Hazael, king of Assyria to “cut Israel short.” It was these eastern tribes who first were first taken captive by the enemy. Their defeat was the result of their willful choice to settle east of Jordan. Paul speaks of saints who “...are taken captive by the enemy at his will,” IITim 2:26.

Joshua’s charge Josh 24:15

Joshua knew the importance of making the right choice. He encouraged the nation to “...Go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel,” Josh 1:2.

As children of God, we are, throughout Scripture, charged with the responsibility of making God-directed choices. Many of God’s people make decisions based upon the course of this world. Many simply hope that “things will work out.” Multitudes choose to live east of Jordan. Their plea is “Bring us not over Jordan.”