Numbers 32:16 says, And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: Verse seventeen adds, But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. The leaders of Gad and Reuben came to Moses and told him that they would build sheepfolds for the cattle and cities for their little ones, but that the men themselves would go armed with the rest of the people of Israel to fight those who currently inhabited the Promised Land. They would lead the people into battle, and without their families and cattle would have less to be worried about. We should always be ready to go into battle against God's enemies as long as they exist, even if we could sit back in peace ourselves. Verse eighteen continues, We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. They said they would not return to their houses until all the people of Israel had their land secured. Of course, we will always be on this side of the Promised Land, but if God has blessed us with a life of peace and prosperity, that does not exempt us from helping those who are still actively engaged in the battle against evil in the world. Verse nineteen concludes, For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward. These leaders of Gad and Reuben said that they would not inherit, or claim, any of the land beyond the Jordan because their inheritance would be the land that they wanted to claim on this side of the Jordan. Of course, we must never think that anything short of heaven is our Promised Land. Verse twenty states, And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, Moses began to give his permission with some ifs included. Verse twenty-one adds, And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, Verse twenty-two continues, And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. Moses said if they all the men of fighting age would go armed into the battle across the Jordan, fight until all the enemies were driven out, then they could return and claim this land for there inheritance. As Christians, God has already given us our inheritance in heaven, but that does not exempt us from the battle here. Of course, we will never be fighting for an everlasting home anywhere short of heaven. Verse twenty-three concludes, But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. After the ifs, Moses gave them the but. He said if they did not do what they promised, then they had sinned against God. We already have our Promised Land of heaven assured if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, but we are still to be engaged in the battle against Satan and the forces of evil in the world today. Verse twenty-four says, Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth. Moses told them to go ahead and build their cities and sheepfolds. Verse twenty-five adds, And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth. The people of Gad and Reuben said they would do as the LORD commanded, and so must we today as followers of Christ. Verse twenty-six continues, Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead: The leaders of Gad and Reuben said their children, wives and cattle would remain in the cities of Gilead. Verse twenty-seven concludes, But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith. Though the children, women and cattle would remain behind, the men of fighting age and ability would pass over the Jordan to fight with the rest of Israel. Verse twenty-eight states, So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel: Moses called on Eleazar, Joshua who would be leading the people in place of Moses, and the heads of the tribes of Israel to him. These were the ones this decision would affect. As Christians, we all need to be working together to defeat the enemies of God under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Verse twenty-nine continues, And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession: Moses told these leaders that if the men Gad and Reuben went with them into battle for the Promised Land, once they were victorious, the rest of the people of Israel were to give the people of Gad and Reuben the land of Gilead as their inheritance. It was important that these leaders knew of the terms of the agreement, because Moses would not be there to verify it. It is just as important that we teach the next generation about God's word, because one day we will no longer be here to do so. Verse thirty concludes, But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan. If the people of Gad and Reuben did not fulfill there promises, they would not be allowed to claim possession of the land they wanted, but would have their inheritance in the land of Canaan.
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