God Before The World 02.27.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesay February 27, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read Numbers 32 -- 33 in your Bible or Click Here to read it online. In today's lesson we will read and learn about Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh settling east of the Jordan; and a summary of Israel's 40 years in the wilderness.

More than 40 years had passed since Moses, while still in Egypt, foretold that God would lead the Israelites to the land He had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While moving with great anticipation toward the fulfillment of that promise, and almost in view of the promised land, two of the twelve tribes. Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh asked for permission to settle in the territory recently captured on the east side of Jordan, just across the Jordan River, but just outside the promised land. "Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,....Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan." (Numbers 32:1-2, 4-5). Their reasoning was that it was an excellent area for their very great multitude of cattle. This may have been good reasoning from a financial point of view for remaining outside the promised land, but it was one of compromise. Only one judge or deliverer came from these tribes, Jephthah the Gileadite.

The God-appointed territory for all the tribes was inside Canaan, not near by. The two-and-one-half tribes were willing to give up their birthright in the Promised Land for what appeared to be material gain. The unity of the nation, their nearness to the Tabernacle, and the presence of God should have been the choices that were uppermost in their desires.

Neither the Reubenites nor the Gadites showed any indication of rejecting God yet they still expected the blessings and security of God, but did not want to give up the lush grasslands to fulfill His will. History records that they gradually became involved in idol worship, ignored the Lord's instructions, and fell away from God only to face destruction for years to come.

Many Christians today resemble the Reubenites and the Gadites, whose decisions were influenced by material advantages. Business, social advancement or an atmosphere of prominence, often are chosen rather than the will of God. A worldly policy often overrules spiritual separation, but it is self deceiving and self defeating. We cannot serve two masters (See Matthew 6:24). People of faith always find ways to please God while others settle for excuses.

When we follow our own logic, we are settling for far less than God's best, while we satisy our lusts for the world we are missing the greater blessings in store for us just by putting God first above all that.

Today's Psalm: 71:20
"Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth."

Today's Prayer;
Dear Lord,
Thank you for blessing me with this day and thank you for the many blessings that you give me each day. Forgive me for not putting you above my fleshy desires. Lord, walk with me, guide me, and be with me in all that I do, teach me, Lord Your Will for me and help me to overcome the temptations of the world. I know that by putting You first I will see blessings greater than anything the world has to offer me. I need You, Lord and ask this in Jesus' name....Amen.

Have a great day/night and God Bless you,
Christina

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