The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They had come up against some kings and had won battles. They were now preparing to cross the Jordan River and go into the land of Canaan. The Reubenites and Gadites had many cattle. They had seen the land of Jazer and Gilead and knew it would be good for their cattle. They asked Moses if they could stay on the east side of the Jordan and make these lands their home. Moses tells them that they could.
But there was something they must do before they could consider themselves at rest in their new homes. They must go across the Jordan and help the other tribes conquer the land where they would live. You can read what Moses had to say to them in Numbers 32:1-33. Later in Joshua 1:12-18, you can read Joshua’s restatement of what Moses had said.
Many Bible students believe that it was only the land west of the Jordan River that the Israelites were to inherit. They believe that this was the only promised land. But this is not true. If the Reubenites and Gadites had decided to live somewhere other than God’s promised land, they would not have been blessed in doing so by God. God also put three of the cities of refuge on the east side of the Jordan. He would not have done this if it had not been part of the promised land. In Genesis 15, God had told Abram that his seed would have the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. Solomon’s empire went all the way to the Euphrates.
What can we learn from what was required of the Reubenites and Gadites? We must help other Christians conquer and settle their communities. Just because you or I have a nice church building, a settled congregation, a preacher and elders, we are not to just rest on our laurels. We are to help others in other cities and countries to spiritually conquer their cities and countries. We are to go in armed with the Word of God and battle alongside our Christian brothers and sisters. Not everyone is required to go. Just as only some of the Reubenites and Gadites went over the Jordan, so only some of us need go. Some are needed to stay home and keep the homeland safe.
Keep reading your Bible. Learn all you can about God’s Word. Help to spiritually conquer your own city and country, but do not forget about those in other cities and countries. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
