Reuben & Gad decided that they didn't want to go into
Canaan. They were cattlemen and the eastern shore of the Jordan was apparently
conducive to cattle farming, so they asked Moses if they could stay. Moses
erroneously thought that they didn't want to go fight the Canaanites, so he
wasn't too happy. He reminded them of the sins of their dead forefathers who
had made God angry. He was afraid that they were just going to add to the long list
of national infractions that had upset Jehovah. Thankfully, he misread the
situation.
Reuben & Gad were all too willing to go with all of
their Israelite brethren across the Jordan to fight until Canaan was fully
possessed. They just wanted to leave their families in the east and return to
them as soon as they were done. Now, all of that seems noble and acceptable on
the surface I guess. After all, Moses and God allowed them to do it, right?
But, I think if you will look at the typology of entering the Promised Land,
you will be somewhat hesitant to jump to their defense.
If Canaan represented the victorious life, then the desire
of Ruben and Gad to remain on the "wilderness side" of the Jordan
River - despite their willingness to fight for their brother's land - must
point us to the danger of living our saintly lives on the fence. How many
modern believers prefer living just outside the land of victory ... not quite
in the world, but not in Canaan either? Many Christians will even cheer on
their brothers who live in the power of the Spirit... and are even willing to
help and encourage them ... as long as they can return to their comfortable
distance east of the river.
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