he tribes of Reuben and Gad request an inheritance on the
east of Jordan. (1-5) Moses reproves the Reubenites and Gadites.
(6-15) They explain their views, Moses consents. (16-27) They
take possession of the land to the east of Jordan. (28-42)
Verses 1-5: Here is a proposal made by the Reubenites and Gadites, that
the land lately conquered might be allotted to them. Two things
common in the world might lead these tribes to make this choice;
the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. There was much amiss
in the principle they went upon; they consulted their own
private convenience more than the public good. Thus to the
present time, many seek their own things more than the things of
Jesus Christ; and are led by worldly interests and advantages to
take up short of the heavenly Canaan.
Verses 6-15: The proposal showed disregard to the land of Canaan,
distrust of the Lord's promise, and unwillingness to encounter
the difficulties and dangers of conquering and driving out the
inhabitants of that land. Moses is wroth with them. It will
becomes any of God's Israel to sit down unconcerned about the
difficult and perilous concerns of their brethren, whether
public or personal. He reminds them of the fatal consequences of
the unbelief and faint-heartedness of their fathers, when they
were, as themselves, just ready to enter Canaan. If men
considered as they ought what would be the end of sin, they
would be afraid of the beginning of it.
Verses 16-27: Here is the good effect of plain dealing. Moses, by
showing their sin, and the danger of it, brought them to their
duty, without murmuring or disputing. All men ought to consider
the interests of others as well as their own; the law of love
requires us to labour, venture, or suffer for each other as
there may be occasion. They propose that their men of war should
go ready armed before the children of Israel into the land of
Canaan, and that they should not return till the conquest of
Canaan was ended. Moses grants their request, but he warns them
of the danger of breaking their word. If you fail, you sin
against the Lord, and not against your brethren only; God will
certainly reckon with you for it. Be sure your sin will find you
out. Sin will surely find out the sinner sooner or later. It
concerns us now to find our sins out, that we may repent of
them, and forsake them, lest they find us out to our ruin.
Verses 28-42: Concerning the settlement of these tribes, observe, that
they built the cities, that is, repaired them. They changed the
names of them; probably they were idolatrous, therefore they
should be forgotten. A spirit of selfishness, of seeking our
own, not the things of Christ, when each one ought to assist
others, is as dangerous as it is common. It is impossible to be
sincere in the faith, sensible of the goodness of God,
constrained by the love of Christ, sanctified by the power of
the Holy Ghost, and yet be indifferent to the progress of
religion, and the spiritual success of others, through love of
ease, or fear of conflict. Let then your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.
he tribes of Reuben and Gad request an inheritance on the
east of Jordan. (1-5) Moses reproves the Reubenites and Gadites.
(6-15) They explain their views, Moses consents. (16-27) They
take possession of the land to the east of Jordan. (28-42)