31The Gadites and Reubenites answered, "Your servants will do what the Lord has said.
32We will cross over before the Lord into Canaan armed, but the property we inherit will be on this side of the Jordan."
33Then Moses gave to the Gadites, the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the whole land with its cities and the territory around them - P30
Moses communicates the details of the agreement with Joshua, who will be the new leader of Israel, Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the Israelite tribes. Moses tells the leaders that they must give the land of Gilead to the Gadites and Reubenites if they fight alongside the rest of Israel. - P32
If the Gadites and Reubenites do not keep their word, then they must accept their portion of the land in Canaan. Regardless of their actions, Reuben and Gad will remain a part of the community. - P32
The leaders will not allow disagreements or failures to divide God’s people. In our own church communities, may we also seek to remain unified and use our words and actions to encourage, exhort, and correct one another. - P32
The tribes of Reuben and Gad conquer the land and build fortified citiesand sturdy pens so that the women, children, and animals will be safe untilthe men return from war after crossing the Jordan. - P32
Part of the tribe ofManasseh also captures the land and settles in the area. The tribes of Israeldo not sit lazily, expecting blessings to be handed to them. They do thework of fighting for the cities and building the pens in the land they arereceiving as their inheritance. - P32
Sometimes, we assume that God will simplyhand our desired blessings to us. However, we often need to take activesteps to receive all that He has for us. - P32
"Hearts on earth say in the course of a joyful experience, ‘I don‘t want this ever to end."
But invariably it does. The hearts of those in heaven say, ‘I want this to go on forever."
And it will. There can be no better news than this."- J. I. Packer - P32
Dear Father, it can be easy to allow disagreements to divide and destroy my community. Help me see from Your perspective so that I may foster unity, understanding, and love. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P33
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