Reading
- Num. 27:15-23; 32:1-42
- Deut. 4:41-43
- Num. 33:50-56
- Deut. 25:17-19
- Num. 34:1-29; 35:1-8
Devotional
As the Israelites were camped across the Jordan River from Jericho, the tribes of Gad and Reuben and half of Manasseh came to Moses with a request: They asked to have their portion of the land inheritance on the east of the Jordan River because the land was good for sustaining livestock. At first Moses was really angry about their request. It seems Moses thought they were intending on settling east of the Jordan rather than helping their brethren defeat the land’s inhabitants.
They promised, rather, to allow their livestock and families to stay in the land east of the Jordan but the men from the tribes would go over and assist in driving out the land’s inhabitants as GOD had instructed. Moses accepted this offer, but gave them a stern warning:
But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.
(Num. 32:23 NKJV)
Moses was so right about this. GOD already knows our every thought and action. What we think and do are so important to GOD, because that's what determines who we are and the quality of life we have. Our decisions also impact others—often just those around us, but sometimes people we don’t even know or in places far away from us.
GOD says it this way:
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
(Gal. 6:7-8 NKJV)
In other words, obey GOD and you will be blessed. Disobey and you will suffer punishment. Sure, GOD allows bad things to happen to people even when they obey Him, but He always works out even those bad things for good in our life.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
(Rom. 8:28 NKJV)
We must always remember that GOD’s commandments are not burdensome, but rather are given for our good always (Deut. 6:24).
