By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
GOD EXPECTS
Numbers 32:20–32
God expects His people to walk by faith. The writer of Hebrews described the necessity of saving faith: “Now without faith it is impossible to please God since the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). God expects us not only to acknowledge His existence but also to trust Him and live in covenant relationship with Him.
By this time in Numbers, the first generation of fighting men had died. In chapter 26, Moses authorized the second census of available men for the army.
God had established Joshua to be Moses’ successor, and Moses had instructed the tribes about the worship celebrations to be observed annually. God expected Israel to honor His covenant.
Representatives from the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested land east of the Jordan River. Moses asked them if it would be right for the other tribes to go to war in Canaan while their tribes settled the eastern lands. The men of these two tribes considered Moses’ concerns and gave their response.
They would provide settlement for their families and livestock, but they would leave and not return home until after the other tribes received their lands. The focal verses for our lesson pick up in the midst of their interchange.
Warning Issued (20–24)
The men of the two tribes had expressed their plans. Moses repeated their plans back to them. In fact, he agreed. Then he warned them of the consequences of failing to carry out their commitment. Note that they would not only fail their fellow Israelites but also sin against God for breaking their commitment.
We enjoy economy of words. Whether we are measuring a sermon, a tweet or a Bible study article, we often prefer a limited word count. Not so in Hebrew historical narratives.
What may seem to be unnecessary repetition to us provides clarity in the text. A verbal agreement was repeated so both sides understood the serious nature of the commitment. Such a commitment required a verbal witness against oneself for failure to complete the promised act.
Agreement Given (25–27)
As witnesses against themselves, the Reubenites and Gadites agreed to leave their families and their livestock east of the Jordan. They further agreed to fight along with their countrymen until Canaan had been conquered and divided by inheritance.
The men of these tribes would fulfill their commitment. The book of Joshua records the armies of Manasseh, Gad and Reuben did indeed fight alongside their fellow Israelites until the lands were divided and Joshua released them to return home (Josh. 22:1–4).
Accountability Established (28–32)
Moses gathered the key leaders: Eleazar, the high priest; Joshua, the second in command; and the tribal fathers. The agreement was repeated for the purpose of accountability.
This experience may have laid the foundation for Joshua’s final address. He called the men of Israel to make a commitment, then challenged their commitment and finally explained that their words were witness against them if they failed to carry out their promise (Josh. 24:15–22).
Authentic discipleship is costly because His grace was costly. In “The Cost of Discipleship,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer made a clear distinction between cheap grace and costly grace.
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, … grace without discipleship,” he wrote. By contrast, “Costly grace … is the kingly rule of Christ. … It is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows Him. … Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.”
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