Settlers

The Book of Numbers is often treated like a bypass. People start with a mind to read the Bible through in a year and then they get slowed down in Leviticus and then possibly derailed in Numbers. Yet, there is great stuff in both of these books if you don't speed-read (all of it). I could smell the end of Numbers as I hit chapter 32, but then the Spirit tripped me up as I was about to speed by some stuff. ---You see, the Israelites are poised to cross the Jordan River and take the land God is giving them back. God had promised this land to Abraham, and they've been gone 400 years since Jacob left for Egypt. After the Exodus the people have spent 40 years wandering in "time out" getting their attitude adjusted. They had a couple warm up battles, and they've seen God's mighty hand at work. What glorious days as they are about to go into the Promised Land! But then, tribal leaders from Reuben and Gad approach Moses saying that they want to stay on the other side of the Jordan. They don't want to cross over. The land on the east of Jordan is "good enough" for them. After 400 years of slavery and adding another 40 years of waiting on this promise of God ...His glorious offering to the people...they have the audacity to say they don't want the promised land. They are willing to settle. Oh, there are so many implications there. God always offers the best. And yet, over and over again we settle for something less. Adam and Eve did it. We still do it. We will settle for what we can see and touch rather than trusting what God has just ahead is the best. The Jews would settle with the Law when God sent His Son. Men will trust in works when God sends mercy and grace. ---Moses was ticked with these tribal leaders, because he knew at the root of this was a rebellious heart. Oh, we can justify our rebellion. "The fruit looks good to eat." "The land is just right for all of our cattle." Perhaps they even suggested that there will be more land for you guys. Moses nipped one thing real quick. He told them that they would have to cross over and fight with their brothers. (Unfortunately, God lets us settle if we so desire.) I'm betting they just said yes to save embarrassment, but also knowing that was the way it would have to be. (I'm saying, I don't think they really wanted to fight. But Moses called them out.)---The sad part of this is that they settled. Even in our churches, many will settle in the seats of the soft chairs, and will never participate in the war. God has some land out there that is for the taking. God has some glorious stories out there ahead of us. Yet, we must understand at the heart of laziness is a rebellious spirit. Moses reminded these people that it was that very rebellious spirit that had just allowed 600,000 of their family members to spend 40 years in the wilderness to die and not see the Promised Land. Settlers in church today are folks that are fat and happy with the status quo. Let's never settle for good enough!---Arm up and let's go, for the Battle is the LORD's and the land belongs to us.