Leading Past Discouragement to Inheritance
Num. 32:5 If we have found favor in your eyes,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.”
Num. 32:6 Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, “Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here?
Num. 32:7 Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them?
The Reubenites and Gadites are an example of those who are part of a team but apparently choose to not commit with the others. Here, Moses initially feels that the men of these 2 tribes will not cross the Jordan and help their brothers take the land. He and the nation have been wandering forty years in the desert as a result of a people not willing to conquer Canaan (i.e. the ten spies with no faith). Moses is ready to send Israel in and these two tribes make their request. Ugh. Can you imagine what Moses was feeling. As the leader, Moses refuses their initial request because it will discourage the Israelites from going over. The result could be another forty years in the desert or more!
What is he saying here? As a leader, Moses feared that the people would not obey the Lord and choose rather to settle outside of Canaan. It’s been hard enough to get them to believe. Now he gets this request right before Israel is ready to enter the land “flowing with milk and honey” for the second time. This is bringing back nightmares. Moses probably cringed, thinking to himself, what is the Lord going to do upon hearing this request.
As a follower of leadership your actions speak volumes. When we don’t fully participate, we can discourage others around us. In this case, it can set back a whole generation. This sank the heart of Moses. Everyone has to be in. Moses knows this. When everyone is in it brings faith and even momentum. Now, these 2 tribes are asking to “pull out”. Moses fears that everything he gained over the last forty years will be lost.
The good news is that the men were not done with their proposal. Here is what they said;
Num. 32:17 But we are ready to arm ourselves and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place. Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land.
Num. 32:18 We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has received his inheritance.
Here is what they proposed:
- We will arm ourselves and go ahead of the Israelites until they have been brought in to their place.
- We will not return until the Israelites receive their inheritance.
They solved the potential discouragement problem by taking the lead in war and committing to stay with it till the end. They would be the first to stick their neck out and risk their lives and commit to their word until everyone had what was legally theirs by promise. I don’t think Israel had a problem with this. They were going to fight for Israel’s full inheritance as if it were their own by taking the lead. Now that is taking ownership and leading from your inheritance for the inheritance of others.
Moses agrees with the plan knowing that their action to participate and actually lead in war will further give faith and encouragement to Israel. This is so key to leadership. Take the lead! Fight for your brother and sisters!
These tribes led and gained ground for others and at the same time were rewarded. They “went first” to take territory. This ensured their own.
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That is a good word right there, thanks PG!
I have wondered before how a pastor avoids getting discouraged when he sees people in the congregation
not changing; not growing; and continuing in the same sin. Great message. I will continue to gain ground for others.
Traci..great question. As a Pastor we have a wide range of people at so many places in their Christian life. And yes, it can get discouraging when people are not making the right choices, especially when you know that if they would live by the Word, they would be positioned to be blessed.
Two things come to mind. One, is that many people are broken. Their inward pain and the cracks in their foundation have them making wrong choices. Two, as a Pastor it is best to keep your eyes on the victories in people, the ones who are living biblically. Focus on what God is blessing. We don't ignore the other but we cannot dwell there. There are to many cool things in peoples lives that He is up to. It is important to stay focused on that. Thanks for coming by and sharing your thoughts!!
That is a great, positive way to look at things. Thanks for the reply!