Numbers 32:1-5: a reflection

1Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock. They saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead. Behold, the place was a place for livestock. 2Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the princes of the congregation, saying, 3“Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4the land which the LORD struck before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock; and your servants have livestock.” 5They said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Don’t bring us over the Jordan.”

As Israel nears the promised land, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who had large herds, look at the good grazing land east of the Jordan and ask to settle there, rather than crossing over with the rest of Israel into the land God had promised. This land is a place for livestock, they say; give it to us, and don't bring us over the Jordan. The good pasture suited their cattle; and they were tempted to settle there, short of God's full purpose for them, for the sake of present advantage.

Notice the temptation: to settle short of God's full purpose, for present advantage. The tribes saw land that suited their present interests, their cattle; and they wanted to stop there, to settle for it, rather than going on with the rest into the land God had promised. The present advantage of good pasture tempted them to settle short of God's fuller purpose, to stop where it suited them rather than pressing on to where God was leading. They were drawn to settle for the immediate good over God's larger call.

That temptation is worth taking to heart, for we too can be tempted to settle short of God's full purpose for the sake of present advantage. God may have a fuller purpose, a further calling for us; but we can be tempted to stop short, to settle where present advantage or comfort suits us, rather than pressing on to all God has for us, as Reuben and Gad were drawn to settle for the good pasture short of the promised land. Do not settle short of God's full purpose for you for the sake of present advantage or comfort, stopping where it suits you rather than pressing on; the tribes were tempted to settle for the pasture that suited their cattle. Beware of settling for the immediate advantage over God's fuller purpose, pressing on to all he has for you rather than stopping short where present comfort suits you, as Reuben and Gad were tempted to settle east of the Jordan rather than crossing into the land God had promised.

Lord, as Israel nears the promised land, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who had large herds, look at the good grazing land east of the Jordan and ask to settle there, rather than crossing over with the rest of Israel into the land you had promised. This land is a place for livestock, they say; give it to us, and don't bring us over the Jordan. The good pasture suited their cattle; and they were tempted to settle there, short of your full purpose, for the sake of present advantage. Show me the temptation: to settle short of your full purpose, for present advantage. The tribes saw land that suited their present interests; and they wanted to stop there rather than going on with the rest into the land you had promised. The present advantage tempted them to settle short of your fuller purpose. They were drawn to settle for the immediate good over your larger call. Take that temptation to my heart, for I too can be tempted to settle short of your full purpose for the sake of present advantage. You may have a fuller purpose, a further calling for me; but I can be tempted to stop short, to settle where present advantage or comfort suits me, rather than pressing on to all you have for me. Keep me from settling short of your full purpose for the sake of present advantage or comfort, stopping where it suits me rather than pressing on, Lord. Help me beware of settling for the immediate advantage over your fuller purpose, pressing on to all you have for me.