They said (the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad), “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 (river).” (v.5)
How often do WE stop short of God's revealed will for our lives? Stopping on our journey of faith, substituting programs or in this case negotiating a deal, instead of having simple, saving faith in our Lord and trusting in the intentions of our God. We, like the sons of Ruben and the sons of Gad, stop short of crossing the river.
So, what happened to Gad and Reuben for going their own way? Gad was later taken captive by Assyria and the Ammonites seized their lands and territories. A similar fate awaited the Reubenites. The half-tribe of Manasseh settled near them but more to the north, and they, too, were ultimately lost to captivity in Assyria. They got what they wanted and then lost—everything.
What looks good to us, what is attractive, what we can work out in some kind of negotiation, is not necessarily what we need. What is in front of us may seem desirable, but we cannot see the future. Only God can, because He is already there.
The Truth: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)
