Números 32

Números 32

Click for Numbers Chapters 1-36 Numbers: Journey to God's Rest-Land by Irving Jensen- used by permission Source: Ryrie Study Bible THE BOOK OF NUMBERS "Wilderness Wandering" WALKING Numbers 1-12 WANDERING Numbers 13-25 WAITING Numbers 26-36 Counting & Camping Nu 1-4 Cleansing & Congregation Nu 5-8 Carping & Complaining Nu 9-12 12 Spies & Death in Desert Nu 13-16 Aaron & Levites in Wilderness Nu 17-18 Serpent of Brass & Story of Balaam Nu 21-25 Second Census 7 Laws of Israel Nu 26-30 Last Days of Moses as Leader Nu 31-33 Sections, Sanctuaries & Settlements Nu 34-36 Law & Order Rebellion & Disorder New Laws for the New Order Old Generation Tragic Transition New Generation Preparation for the Journey: Moving Out Participation in the Journey: Moving On Prize at end of the Journey: Moving In At Sinai Mt Sinai To Moab Mt Hor At Moab Mt Nebo En Route to Kadesh (Mt Sinai) En Route to Nowhere (Wilderness) En Route to Canaan (Plains of Moab) A Few Weeks to 2 Months 38 years, 3 months, 10 days A Few Months Christ in Numbers = Our "Lifted-up One" (Nu 21:9, cp Jn 3:14-15) Author: Moses Numbers 32:1 Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had an exceedingly large number of livestock. So when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that it was indeed a place suitable for livestock, Now the sons of Reuben: Nu 2:10-15 26:5-7,15-18 Ge 29:32 30:10,11 Jazer: Nu 32:3,35 21:32, Jaazer, Jos 13:25 2Sa 24:5 Isa 16:8,9 place: Nu 32:26 Ge 13:2,5,10,11 47:4 Jer 50:19 Mic 7:14 1Jn 2:16 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Possible Location of Jazer Gilead Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had an exceedingly large number of livestock. So when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that it was indeed a place suitable for livestock - Reuben is named first only in verse 1 (undoubtedly because he is the firstborn). But Gad plainly takes the lead in this enterprise, and for the rest of the passage, Gad is named first! Lots of livestock and lots of land made them start thinking. And like most of us, our fallen flesh focuses on self and what's best for us, what's in our best interest. So they were doing what comes naturally to all of us sinners, even saved sinners! The half-tribe of Manasseh is also involved in this request but is not mentioned until Nu 32:33. Compromise and Obedience (Num. 32) - Peter Wallace - The literary structure of Numbers 32 is impressive. The five key terms are all used seven times. Gad and Reuben 1, 2, 6, 25, 29, 31, 33 possession/inheritance 5, 18, 19, 22, 29, 30, 32 pass over/cross the Jordan 5, 7, 21, 27, 29, 30, 32 armed troops 17, 20, 21, 27, 29, 30, 32 before the LORD 20, 21, 22, 22, 27, 29, 32 James Smith - A CALL FOR UNITED EFFORT. Numbers 32:1-33. "O Lord, whome'er Thy grace has blessed, Causing Thy Name to be confessed; Wilt Thou not quicken them to see That each one service owes to Thee? Enkindle in each heart such flame As shall consume all coward shame. The time is short, and life is flying, And all around us souls are dying; Stir up, O Lord, each heart and will, And with Thine own compassion fill. " The children of Reuben and the children of Gad sought their inheritance on this side of Jordan. But Moses said, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? (Nu 32:6). From this chapter we may learn that— 1. All the Lord's people have a common cause. Though there were twelve tribes, yet were they all brethren (Nu 32:6). The weakening or strengthening of one was the weakening or strengthening of the whole. So is it in the cause of our Lord and Saviour. "I have called you friends." "Are ye not all brethren?" Ought not each one to be interested in whatever concerns the kingdom of God? 2. Putting self-interest first is a great danger to the Lord's work. "The Reubenites said, Let this land be given thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan" (Nu 32:1-5). They saw that the land of Jazer and Gilead was just such as they wanted, so they desired there and then to settle down and let the others look out for themselves. It is a melancholy sight to see Christians settling down in the knowledge of salvation, or in the enjoyment of the doctrine of the higher Christian life, and falling out of the ranks of aggressive workers. 3. Selfish interest discourages others. "Wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land?" (Nu 32:7). There are different ways by which we may discourage our brethren in the pursuit of a deeper and more enlarged experience of the fulness of God in Christ. We may do it by bringing a slander on this good land through our own unbelief and poverty-stricken lives as Christians, or by magnifying the difficulties in the way of entering into the possession of it (Deut. 1:22-28), or by our own self-complacent indifference to their spiritual growth in grace. 4. Seeking the good of others is helping on the cause of God. "Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?" (Nu 32:6). It is a great privilege to be able to help our brethren into their rightful inheritance in Christ. In these present days there is an intense longing in the hearts of multitudes of the Lord's people for an enlargement of the coasts of their spiritual experience. It is a question if ever there was a time when there was a more crying need for pure Bible teaching. There may be much sermon preaching without the commanding power of the revealed mind of God as contained in the Scripture of truth. As the days go on it may be that teachers of the Word will be in greater demand than evangelists. 5. Doing nothing is a sin against the Lord. "If ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out" (Nu 32:23). The sin of idleness, or of neglecting to do our part in the great campaign of the Church's work, is a sin against the Lord that will be sure to find us out. It betrays itself in cowardliness, indifference, worldliness, and finally in open sin. Why stand ye here all the day idle? Do you say no man hath hired us? Hath not the Lord hired you in purchasing you with His Blood? 6. Devotion to the interests of the kingdom of God secures present blessing. "If ye will go armed before the Lord until He hath driven out His enemies, this land shall be your possession" (Nu 32:20-22). The sons of Reuben and of Gad were to have their possession this side of Jordan on condition that they passed over and helped their brethren into their lot of inheritance. The reason why many Christians have not entered into a soul-satisfying portion in this present life is because they have ceased to help others. There is no class of the disciples of Jesus so happy as the workers. Those workers, of course, who are not seeking now their own, but the good of others at the command of the Lord. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). "Pleasure is only half pleasure unshared, O, forth then, my brother, share thine! Pleasure when shared is a treasure prepared, Excelling aught drawn from the mine." Numbers 32:2 the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came and spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came and spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the congregation, saying - It is interesting that they approached not just Moses but the other leaders. Numbers 32:3 Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon, Ataroth: Nu 32:1,34-38 Jos 13:17 Isa 15:2-4 Jer 48:22,23 Nimrah: Nu 32:36, Beth-nimrah, Isa 15:6, Nimrim Heshbon: Nu 21:25,26,28 Jud 11:26 Ne 9:22 Isa 15:4 16:8,9 Jer 48:2,34,45 Shebam: Nu 32:38, Shibmah, Jos 13:19 Isa 16:8 Jer 48:32, Sibmah Beon: Nu 32:38, Baal-meon Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon - These nine leaders of the other tribes. Anything they discussed in this meeting would clearly be communicated back to the individual tribes. This fact becomes the basis for Moses' reply to their request. Numbers 32:4 the land which the LORD conquered before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." Nu 21:24,34 De 2:24-35 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Map of Israel's Conquest East of the Jordan River (Source: Ryrie Study Bible) HAVE NEED FILL NEED The land which the LORD conquered before the congregation of Israel - Yes it is good, God honoring theology. While Israel did fight, God gave the victory and the land, for ultimately it ALL belongs to Him! In Dt 2:24 we read "I (YAHWEH) have given Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land into your hand...33 “The LORD our God delivered him over to us, (GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY) and we defeated him (MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY) with his sons and all his people." But as Wallace says "they make their case based on the premise that “the LORD” struck down this land, and left it open for settlement." Is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock - What is their perspective? They are looking at things from a selfish, worldly perspective, for the conquered kingdoms of Sihon and Og were NOT part ot the land promised by God. That land lay on the west side of the Jordan River, a clear line of demarcation that could not be missed. THOUGHT - Be wary of accepting worldly substitutes in place of the heavenly promises of God. The former may seem "good," to your eyes, but is the "best" in His eyes. Our goal should ever to be to have a heart focused on the full attainment of God's will, being quick to recognize and discard our self-will in manifold circumstances. Was the land east of the Jordan God's "best"? Clearly the answer is "no." While it was conquered land, it was not the "Promised Land." The Reubenites and Gadites (and later sons of Manasseh Nu 32:33) looked and lusted, perhaps not as evil as Achan but still reflective of their fleshly desires. And God gave them what they wanted and it looked "good" for 700 years, but it eventually proved costly to their ancestors for they were the first victims of the Assyrian invasions and the first to be taken into exile as described in First Chronicles... 1 Chr. 5:23 Now the sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land; from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon they were numerous. 24 These were the heads of their fathers’ households, even Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers’ households. 25 But they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26 So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, even the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away into exile, namely the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara and to the river of Gozan, to this day. “Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another - too often ending in the loss of both.” C H Mackintosh adds "THE fact recorded in this chapter has given rise to considerable discussion. Various have been the opinions advanced in reference to the conduct of the two tribes and a half. Were they right, or were they wrong in choosing their inheritance on the wilderness side of Jordan? This is the question. Was their acting in this matter the expression of power, or of weakness? How are we to form a sound judgment in this case?In the first place, where was Israel’s proper portion—their divinely destined inheritance? Most surely on the other side of Jordan, in the land of Canaan. Well, then, ought not this fact to have sufficed? Would or could a really true heart—a heart that thought and felt and judged with God—have entertained the idea of selecting a portion other than that which God had allotted and bestowed? Impossible. Hence, then, we need not to go further in order to have a divine judgment on this subject. It was a mistake, a failure, a stopping short of the divine mark, on the part of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, to choose any boundary-line short of the river Jordan. They were governed, in their conduct, by worldly and selfish considerations—by the sight of their eyes—by carnal motives. They surveyed “the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead,” and they estimated it entirely according to their own interests, and without any reference to the judgment and will of God. Had they been simply looking to God, the question of settling down short of the river Jordan would never have been raised at all." Brian Bell - Notes on Numbers 32 “Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another - too often ending in the loss of both.” Living on the Wrong Side of the Cross! THE REQUEST! (1-5) (THE REPRIMAND - 6-15) These 21/2 tribes seek permission from Moses to live on the east side of the Jordan River. Reuben & Gad were contiguous(shared a common boarder) when they were encamped. So they had many times to scheme/plan this. The request sounded reasonable, like most of the arguments which excuse compromise; but all the same it’s compromise. The Danger of Doing Nothing (Numbers 32) - David Vance Introduction: One of the worst things that can happen in the Christian life is nothing. 1. The Temptation of nothing (v. 1-5) Was there anything wrong with what they were asking for? If it’s “all about” them, if it’s all about the tribes of Reuben and Gad, there request is just fine. But what about the other tribes? 2. They’re thinking only of themselves, not others (v. 6-15) How many people are living lives that are basically self-consumed and self-centered, while they’re saying, “Thank you Lord? Thank you for what you’ve given me.” {ED ADDENDUM: THOUGHT - I FEAR MANY BELIEVERS HAVE FORGOTTEN Phil 3:20-21+ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.} So, here we are in the place of comfort and prosperity and blessing, and we’ve received the promise of eternal life. Seems like there’s nothing else to do, right? From our perspective, we’ve already received everything we need—comfort now, life forevermore. 3. They’re thinking only of themselves, not the Lord (v. 20-27) What about God’s purposes in the world? Conclusion Consider Christ (Phil 2:5-8, 2Cor 8:9). We are called, not to live for our own comfort, but to live for the joy that is set before us. May God give us grace to live, not comfortable settlers, but zealous warriors. David Wilkerson - GOD SAID, “CROSS OVER!” Be sure your sin will find you out!” This is one of the most misunderstood statements in all of God’s Word. The truth is that many sins go unexposed here on earth but will be revealed at the Judgment. God commanded Israel: “You will cross over the Jordan and go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, and you will possess it and dwell in it” (Deuteronomy 11:31). Their inheritance was on the other side of Jordan where God would choose to set up His tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of the Lord’s presence among them, also would be there. Two crossings were necessary for Israel. Crossing the Red Sea was a type of leaving the world and all its idols and lust behind—a clear type of conversion. The second crossing was the Jordan, which represents dying to self and going on into the fullness of Christ. It represents death to all that is unlike Christ—all ambition, idolatry, self. Between the two crossings was the territory of Gilead and Jazer, which bordered the Jordan and the Land of Promise. This middle ground, a place of half surrender, was totally indefensible. It was a most dangerous place to live, as it was surrounded by heathen enemies. It speaks of falling short of God’s ultimate place and purpose. Of course, two-and-a-half tribes—Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh—felt most comfortable with this middle ground and stopped there. They said, “This is as far as we go. This suits our lifestyle just fine.” “For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us this eastern side of the Jordan” (Numbers 32:19). These tribes were eventually overcome by the enemy. They returned to idolatry and ended up more wicked than when they were in Egypt. Their tragic story, an example of the compromise of the Church today, shows us the terrible consequences of partial obedience. May we all obey God’s command to “cross over.” Numbers 32:5 They said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession; do not take us across the Jordan." if we have: Ge 19:19 Ru 2:10 1Sa 20:3 2Sa 14:22 Es 5:2 Jer 31:2 bring us: De 1:37 3:25,26 Jos 7:7 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries They said, "If we have found favor in your sight - Septuagint has "if we have found grace in your eyes." They should have said "If we have found favor in God's sight." God had already shown them favor (grace) by promising them the land of Canaan. Perhaps they did not phrase it this way because they knew God's will was the land west of the river. Some of you are standing today at Jordan's banks. -- Chuck Smith THOUGHT - Pastor Chuck's statement above begs a simple and yet profoundly important question - Will you cross over or will you continue to compromise? let this land be given to your servants as a possession - They are in a sense bargaining with Moses. We have conquered Sihon and Og, so it would be reasonable to possess this land. And since it is a spacious land and we have many cattle, then it is only logical that we be granted this land. do not take us across the Jordan - This is the statement that reflected their selfishness and which held the potential to greatly discourage the other 9.5 tribes. Chuck Smith - Less than the Best - Intro: The Children of Israel now ready to enter the land God had promised them. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and 1/2 of Manasseh requested inheritance outside the land; they had become content where they were dwelling. I. THERE IS A DANGER OF STOPPING SHORT OF GOD'S BEST FOR YOUR LIFE. A. Many of the promises go unfulfilled because we fail to claim them or appropriate them. 1. God has promised perfect peace. 2. God has promised fullness of joy. 3. God has promised to supply all our needs. a. Sometimes people come saying, "I live completely by faith, can you help me out?". b. This never means that God is going to support my laziness. c. Paul was completely serving the Lord, yet when the need arose he made tents. d. Great inconsistencies. 1. "I have given my life completely to God." How much time does He get each day? 2. "All I have belongs to God." When is He going to get it? 4. God has promised Living Waters. B. This land that Reuben and Gad wanted was not the best. They had grown accustomed to it. 1. So many times we just get used to our situations. "What you can't cure you must endure." a. We make adjustments and settle down. b. This is all the farther I wish to travel with God. 2. There is a contentment which is good and there is a contentment which is bad. a. The spiritual man is content with his material possessions, yet striving for more of God. b. The carnal man is content with his relationship with God, yet is striving for more material possessions. C. Some people attend church on occasion; that is all the closer they want to get to God. 1. They have a sort of "You don't bother me, I won't bother you" attitude. 2. Oh yes, they believe in God and would defend Him in an argument; they even joined the church but they never left Egypt. D. Some attend church regularly, every chance they get. They look for the things of God. They are truly God's people, yet they have stopped short of God's best. 1. Spiritually they have come to Jordan but they have never crossed over. II. THE DANGER OF STOPPING SHORT. A. History tells us that these tribes were the first to fall to the Assyrians. 1. You are far more vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. 2. Satan finds it easier to lure you away. B. We are also told that the descendants of these people were the Gadarenes. 1. When Jesus came to their coasts they asked Him to leave. 2. They had degraded from raising cattle to raising pigs. a. Failing to go forward they went backwards. 3. Not entering into the promises, they rejected the greatest promise of all; God's Messiah Jesus. C. Some of you are standing today at Jordan's banks. Numbers 32:6 But Moses said to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben, "Shall your brothers go to war while you yourselves sit here? while you yourselves sit here 2Sa 11:11 1Co 13:5 Php 2:4 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES ENVISIONS A PROBABLE PROBLEM! But Moses said to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben, "Shall your brothers go to war while you yourselves sit here? - In other words the land they asked for had already been conquered by the entire nation. They would not need to fight to occupy this land. It would therefore be tempting to them to not cross over the Jordan to fight with the rest of the nation for lands that would not be theirs. Moses sees the potential for selfishness and self-interest negating their desire to help their brethren. Recall that the sons of Gad had a relatively large number of men who could go to war, Moses recording "These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were numbered of them, 40,500." (Nu 26:18). Similarly the sons of Reuben were recorded in Nu 26:7 "These are the families of the Reubenites, and those who were numbered of them were 43,730." In addition we note later that the half tribe of Manasseh is also included in this request to remain on the east and not go to war. And Manasseh had an even larger number at 52,700 (Nu 26:34)! Now if we add up the men of war in the 2.5 tribes, we have 136,930 men! The total census was 601,730 men, so the number of men for war against the Canaanites on the west of the Jordan would be reduced by about 22.7%. So effectively almost 1/5 of the army would be lost before they even fought a battle! One can see why this would have been so discouraging to the other 9.5 tribes. If 10 spies could discourage the entire nation, surely the 2.5 tribes would massively discourage the remainder of the nation! Related Passages - speaking of the selfishness of the 2.5 tribes 1 Corinthians 13:5+ (LOVE) does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, Philippians 2:4+ Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.