Números 32

Números 32

Morris - “Be sure your sin will find you out.” (Num. 32:23) God has built certain unalterable principles into this world of ours, and not all man’s ingenuity can escape the outworking of these principles. One of them is that you can’t sin and get away with it. Some of us learned this early when we swiped jam or other foods which left their tell-tale marks which mother easily discovered. But the truth applies to all of life, and is attested by every newspaper. The poem “The Dream of Eugene Aram” is a remarkable illustration of the point. Thinking he could commit a “perfect crime/’ Aram murdered a man and threw his body into the river—“a sluggish water, black as ink, the depth was so extreme.” The next morning he went down to the riverbank where he had committed the crime And sought the black accursed pool, With a wild misgiving eye; And he saw the dead in the riverbed For the faithless stream was dry. He tried to cover the body with a huge pile of leaves, but that night a great wind blew through the area, leaving the corpse plainly visible. Then down I cast me on my face, And first began to weep, For I knew my secret then was one That earth refused to keep, On land or sea, though it should be Ten thousand fathoms deep. Finally he buried his victim in a remote cave, but years later the skeleton was discovered; he was tried for the crime, and executed. His sin had found him put. But there is another way in which sin catches up with us. E. Stanley Jones reminds us that “it registers itself in inner deterioration, in the inner hell of not being able to respect yourself, in compelling you to live underground in blind labyrinths.” And even if a man’s sin could somehow remain undetected in this life, it will surely overtake him in the next. Unless that sin has been cleansed through the blood of Jesus, it will be brought to light in the Day of Judgment. Whether it be acts, thoughts, motives or intents; it will be charged against him and the penalty announced. That penalty, of course, is eternal death. SIN AND GUILT. The ancients used to make drinking-cups of the amethyst, supposing that they prevented drunkenness. But the blue "amethyst could not prevent the blues. The cup of sinful pleasure, no matter how beautiful, will not save from guilt and judgment. "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Numb. 32:23). Robert Neighbour - The Perfect Crime But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23 Nobody will ever know. We've done all we can do to cover our tracks. We've committed the perfect crime. That's what King David thought he had done. All the men were away at battle. Quietly, he snuck Uriah's wife, Bathsheba into his house and committed adultery with her. Then he deceitfully sent her home to be with her husband who had been called in from battle. "Go spend some time with your wife," the king said. "You deserve it after a tough day at war." The only complication was that Uriah refused to go home. He couldn't abandon his troops in the thick of battle. So, he was sent back to the front lines. Now, David was forced to commit another sin—murder—to conceal his first sin of adultery. David discounted one important factor. God was there the entire time. He was watching. David forgot, "...the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth..." (2 Chronicles 16:9) A few months later, God sent Nathan, the prophet, to rebuke David and tell him of his punishment. Nothing we do escapes the watchful eye of God. God reveals those secret sins that we've carefully covered up. It is both dangerous and foolish to hide from God. It may be a quick look at a bad magazine, a couple of dishonest dollars from the cash register at work, or an intentional "error" on your tax returns. Whatever it is, God knows and will not overlook secret sin. Hurt not your conscience with any known sin. Samuel Rutherford Sourdough Bread Be sure your sin will find you out. —Numbers 32:23 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. —Luke 12:1 Today's Scripture: Luke 12:1-7 Sourdough bread became popular during the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. In the 1890s, it was a favorite during the great Gold Rush in Alaska. Prospectors would carry with them a small portion of sourdough mix that contained a natural yeast. It could then be used as a starter to make more of their favorite sourdough bread. In the Bible, though, yeast or leaven can have a negative connotation. For example, in the New Testament, “leaven” is often referred to as a corrupting influence. This is why Jesus said: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). Hypocrites put on a show of righteousness while hiding sinful thoughts and behavior. Christ warned His disciples and us that secret sins will someday be exposed to full disclosure. He said, “There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known” (v.2). Because of this, we are to reverentially fear God, to ask for His grace to forsake any sin, and to grow as authentic believers. The holiness of God demands A heart that’s pure within, Yet grace unites with holiness To purge the heart from sin. —D. De Haan Numbers 32:23 Our Daily Homily F B Meyer Be sure your sin will find you out. Sin is like the boomerang of the savage, it comes back on the hand that has launched it forth. The brethren accused Joseph of being a spy, and cast him into the pit; and on the same charge they were cast into prison. King David committed adultery and murder; so Absalom requited him. The Jews crucified the blessed Lord; and they were impaled around Jerusalem till room and wood for their crosses failed. There is a Divine order in society. God has so constituted the world, that as man deals with his neighbour, so he is dealt with. The consequence does not always follow immediately. There is often a long interval between the lightning flash and the thunder-peal. The sentence against an evil work is not executed suddenly. But though God’s mills grind slowly, they do grind, and to powder. It is impossible to deceive God; for it is his immutable law, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7-8). When sin comes to find you out, like a sleuthhound on the track of the criminal, be sure that it finds you in Jesus. “That I maybe found in Him.” Nothing will avail to intercept the awful execution of sin’s vengeance, except the blood and righteousness of Jesus. Put Him between you and your sins, between you and your past, between you and the penalty of a broken law. Be sure that only when the blood of Jesus speaks for you through earth and heaven, there can be a cutting off of sin’s terrible entail. Collision Course Be sure your sin will find you out. — Numbers 32:23 Today's Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-15 My wife and I were driving on an expressway when we saw a driver turn left into a median turnaround that was intended for emergency vehicles only. He was planning to make a U-turn and head back the other way. Looking to his right, the driver waited for an opening in oncoming traffic, so he failed to notice that a police car was backing up toward him on his left. Finally seeing an opening in traffic, the U-turn driver pulled out and rammed into the back of the police car. It’s not unusual for us to think we can get away with doing something wrong. After King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he too was focused on “getting away with it.” But he was on a collision course with Nathan. His adultery, deceit, and murder “displeased the Lord” (2 Sam. 11:27), so when Nathan exposed David’s grievous sin, the king was deeply remorseful. He confessed, repented, and received God’s forgiveness. But the consequences of his sin never departed from his household (12:10). God knows all you’ve thought or done— From Him you cannot hide; Confess to Him and He’ll forgive Through Christ the crucified. —Hess We have to face our sins before we can put them behind us. What’s The Trouble? Be sure your sin will find you out. — Numbers 32:23 Today's Scripture: Joshua 7:1-13 There was something wrong with my lawn. I couldn’t see what the trouble was, but I knew something was causing damage. After investigating, I discovered the problem: moles. Those voracious little bug-eaters were crawling around just under the surface of my previously well-groomed lawn looking for food and wreaking havoc on my grass. The children of Israel also had a problem with a hidden cause (Josh. 7). They were experiencing trouble, and they couldn’t figure out why. There was something hidden from their view that was causing serious damage. The trouble became noticeable when Joshua sent 3,000 troops to attack Ai. Although that should have been a sufficient army to defeat Ai’s small force, the opposite happened. Ai routed the Israelites, killing 36 of them and chasing them back where they came from. Joshua had no idea why this trouble had come. Then God explained the hidden problem: One of his men, Achan, had violated a clear command and had stolen some “accursed things” from Jericho (Josh. 7:11). Only when that hidden sin was discovered and taken care of could Israel have victory. Dear Lord, I don’t want anything in my life to hinder my fellowship with You. You know what’s in my heart. Reveal any areas of my life that are not pleasing to You and forgive me. Amen. Confession to God ensures forgiveness. Numbers 32:24 "Build yourselves cities for your little ones, and sheepfolds for your sheep, and do what you have promised." Nu 32:16,34-42 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BUILD YOUR CITIES KEEP YOUR WORD Build yourselves cities for your little ones, and sheepfolds for your sheep, and do what you have promised - Literally "that which has proceeded out of your mouth!" Rashi (Jewish commentator) on do what you have promised. - What you promised to the One on high—that you will cross over and fight until the land has been subdued and apportioned.—For Moses had demanded only that they stay for the seven years that it took the land to be conquered, but they had voluntarily agreed to stay for the additional seven years it took to be apportioned (NOT EVERYONE AGREES THEY WOULD STAY FOR THE APPORTIONING but see Dt 3:18–20, Josh 22:1-9). And they fulfilled this promise. Numbers 32:25 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, "Your servants will do just as my lord commands. Jos 1:13,14 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GADITES AND REUBENITES AGREE TO OBEY The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, "Your servants will do just as my lord commands - They now acknowledge Moses' leadership with the derential "your servants." Servants obey and that is what they say they will do. They also refer to Moses as "my lord ('adon)," again expressing their deference to him. We your servants will do as our lord commands. - Numbers 32:25 TODAY IN THE WORD In the second half of Numbers we have seen plenty of dissatisfaction from the people of Israel. Even Moses was fed up with the complaining of the Israelites. As his life was drawing to a close, he had no patience for any more unfaithfulness. So when the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested to take their homes before crossing the Jordan, he assumed the worst. As it turned out, at least in this instance, these tribes had their hearts in the right place. They were actually satisfied with what they already saw, and God honored their request. Moses' reaction is understandable given what he has gone through with Israel. After forty years of wandering and waiting to enter Canaan, a request to not enter the land would have been foolish. Similarly, if Reuben and Gad failed to fight alongside their brother tribes, it would have constituted treachery. But the tribes were merely asking the Lord to provide, not complaining for what they didn't have. And they did prove faithful to their commitment to fight throughout the campaign in Canaan. For Reuben, Gad, and a segment of Manasseh, the battle began early. They drove out the enemy, an important requirement for faithfully claiming the land. They even changed the names of the cities to remove the stigma of false gods as well as the people who worshiped them. What Moses originally suspected as a sinful act became a breath of fresh air in the book of Numbers. Where others had complained, these tribes asked from the Lord. Where others served their own interests, these tribes were willing to leave their families in order to serve their brothers. And where others were drawn to false gods and foreign worship, these tribes drove out the enemy. The key difference was faith. These tribes trusted the Lord to give generously to meet their needs, and that faith produced obedience in their hearts and deeds. TODAY ALONG THE WAY Even when Israel seemed desperate or disappointing, God was always in complete control. He doesn't get overwhelmed by anything, even disobedience. Remember that as your faithfulness waivers or your situation worsens, God's sovereignty remains. When you feel like a failure or threatened by anything at all, know that God's grace is sufficient and His faithfulness is steadfast. Your circumstances will change, but your God will not. Numbers 32:26 "Our little ones, our wives, our livestock and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead; Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Hills of Gilead Our little ones, our wives, our livestock and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead - Gilead is the land east of the Jordan River. Numbers 32:27 while your servants, everyone who is armed for war, will cross over in the presence of the LORD to battle, just as my lord says." servants: Jos 4:12 armed: Nu 32:17 2Co 10:4,5 Eph 6:10-18 2Ti 4:7,8 as my lord: Nu 11:28 12:11 36:2 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CROSSING OVER IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD while your servants (their deference), everyone who is armed for war, will cross over in the presence of the LORD to battle, just as my lord says - The phrase in the presence of is repeated 3 times in this section (Nu 32:27, 29, 32) and clearly implies He is with them when they go to battle and they are confident in that truth. THOUGHT - When we begin our day and cross over from the relative safety of our safe home into the "land of Canaan", this godless, immoral world, do we do so in full confidence that it is in the presence of the LORD. And don't be deceived, because when you cross over, you are entering the battle field (of course you have already been engaged in warfare from the moment you opened your eyes each morning!), and you need to remember David's words that "the battle is the LORD'S.' (1 Sa 17:47). That does not mean we are to be passive participants, but that we are to actively fight not relying on our power, but on His infinite power! UBS - The Gadites and Reubenites show their commitment to the agreement by adopting the theological language used by Moses in verses 20–21. As in verse 21, GNT renders before the LORD as “under the LORD’s command.” Numbers 32:28 So Moses gave command concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' households of the tribes of the sons of Israel. Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES COMMUNICATES WITH THE OTHER LEADERS OF ISRAEL So Moses gave command concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' households of the tribes of the sons of Israel - Since they had apparently spoken privately to Moses, Moses now declared what he had arranged with them and so he summons as witnesses the same group that will divide the land (cf Nu 34:16-29). Eleazar and Joshua were to make sure they kept their word. Numbers 32:29 Moses said to them, "If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben, everyone who is armed for battle, will cross with you over the Jordan in the presence of the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession; Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES GIVES THE "OKAY" FOR THE 2.5 TRIBES Moses said to them - He is speaking to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' households of the tribes - The stipulations of the agreement are repeated in their hearing, so that the agreement (covenant) may be made finalized. Again, this is much of what has been discussed in Nu 32:20-23. If - While Moses does give the "okay," it is still a conditional "okay!" Partaking of God's promises call for obedience. The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben, everyone who is armed for battle (THE SOLDIERS, NOT WIVES OR CHILDREN), will cross with you over the Jordan in the presence of the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the cities of Gilead (see verdant hills of Gilead = land east of the Jordan River) for a possession - Notice that Moses "bows out" so to speak, for he will be dead when these events occur. He transfers the responsibility to Eleazar, Joshua and the tribal leaders to finalize the giving the land of Gilead to the tribes of Gad and Reuben. Prior to Israel crossing over the Jordan to battle, Joshua reminds the Gadites and the Reubenites of their commitment... (Joshua 1:13-18) Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’ 14 “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, 15 until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” 16 (THEY GIVE A SOUND SPIRITUAL ANSWER TO JOSHUA) They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses. 18 “Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.” Numbers 32:30 but if they will not cross over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan." NET Numbers 32:30 But if they do not cross over with you armed, they must receive possessions among you in Canaan." NLT Numbers 32:30 But if they refuse to arm themselves and cross over with you, then they must accept land with the rest of you in the land of Canaan." ESV Numbers 32:30 However, if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan." NIV Numbers 32:30 But if they do not cross over with you armed, they must accept their possession with you in Canaan." Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries REFUSAL TO GO YOU WILL HAVE NO CHOICE But if - Here is the second conditional statement. Moses repeats the warning in summary form (cf Nu 32:23). They will not cross over with you armed - NLT = " if they refuse to arm themselves and cross over with you." They shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan - NLT "then they must accept land with the rest of you in the land of Canaan." So even if they 2.5 tribes fail to cross over and fight the Canaanites, their PUNISHMENT would be that they would receive land in the promised land but not in the the cities of Gilead. Is this not a perfect illustration of undeserved favor or grace. So the 2.5 tribes would not receive some of the promised land because they deserved it but ultimately because Yahweh was faithful to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs! One writer suggests that they would be given what is left over after the 9.5 tribes had received their land allotments. The German Common Language translation reads "“then they must content themselves with a piece of [left-over] land among you [in Canaan]”. One Jewish Rabbi IBN EZRA explains "They shall receive holdings among you. He was speaking euphemistically. What he meant was: “If they do not cross over with you, drag them over by force and give them a holding on your side.” Or perhaps Moses is simply saying, “They shall receive holdings among you” if they change their minds and decide to settle on that side. The o of noḥazu reflects a י rather than an א; remember that א, ה, ו, and י are interchangeable. Another Jewish Rabbi NAHMANIDES says "But if they do not cross over with you as shock-troops, they shall receive holdings among you in the land of Canaan. If they do not wish to cross over with you, take all this land from them, expel their wives and children, and give them their holding in the land of Canaan—whenever they decide to cross over and conquer it for themselves. And see Ibn Ezra’s comment about dragging them over by force. Numbers 32:31 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered, saying, "As the LORD has said to your servants, so we will do. Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered, saying, "As the LORD has said to your servants, so we will do - Although I am not absolutely certain, from the context, this statement seems to be Moses telling the leaders of Israel what the Gadites and Reubenites had agreed to. It could also be them repeating their willingness to obey. In Nu 32:25 they had stated it more to Moses "Your servants will do just as my lord (MOSES) commands." Ian Paisley - "As" and "so" Obedience "As the Lord has said unto His servants so we will do." Numbers 32:31 To obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Sa 15:22). Obedience is to follow Christ's example, for He in His mediatorial capacity learned obedience by the things which He suffered. The obedience affirmed in our text resulted from Petition The children of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh were cattlemen. Here on the east of Jordan they had found the cattle country. They therefore petitioned Moses to give their lot of inheritance on the eastside of Jordan. Moses acceded to their request on the condition that their warriors all marched with the rest of the tribes to the conquest of the promised land west of Jordan. The answer to prayer spurred the men of Gideon, Reuben and Gad to cry out, "As the Lord has said so we will do", May it be so with us today and every day. This obedience also resulted from: Possession They had their prayer answered immediately and entered into possession right away. They built their cities, their sheep and cattle folds, and settled their families in the heritage allotted to them. That possession spurred them to obedience. The goodness of God in a ready answer to prayer should motivate us to further obey the good word of a God who daily loadeth us with benefits. This obedience was also the direct result of Promise God promised them even greater things. Protection for their families at home and protection for themselves in the battle and prosperity for both, was the promise of God to the obedient. All that God promised He totally and absolutely fulfilled. His promises should encourage us today in wholehearted obedience. "But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay, For the favour He shews And the joy He bestows Are for them who will Trust and obey." Numbers 32:32 "We ourselves will cross over armed in the presence of the LORD into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us across the Jordan." Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries We ourselves will cross over (cross the Jordan) armed in the presence of the LORD into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us across the Jordan - See comment on v31 Numbers 32:33 So Moses gave to them, to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Joseph's son Manasseh, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og, the king of Bashan, the land with its cities with their territories, the cities of the surrounding land. Moses: Nu 32:1 De 3:12-17 29:8 Jos 12:6 13:8-14 22:4 half the: Nu 34:14 1Ch 5:18 12:31 26:32 the kingdom: Nu 21:23-35 De 2:30-33 3:1-8 Ps 135:10,11 136:18-21 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HALF-TRIBE OF MANASSEH INCLUDED So Moses gave to them, to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Joseph's son Manasseh - This is the first indication that part of Manasseh was also to receive their inheritance east of the Jordan (cf. Josh. 17:1-18). Why were they not mentioned at the beginning? The text does not give an obvious answer. This tribe would prove a problem for all 2.5 tribes on the east of the Jordan (the time was circa 722BC some 700 years after they settled the land). And so we read 1 Chr. 5:23 Now the sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land; from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon they were numerous. 24 These were the heads of their fathers’ households, even Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers’ households. 25 But they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26 So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, even the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away into exile, namely the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara and to the river of Gozan, to this day. The kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites (Nu 21:23-32+) and the kingdom of Og, the king of Bashan (Nu 21:33-35+), the land with its cities with their territories, the cities of the surrounding land - These were the lands that all the nation had played a part in conquering. It would only be fair for the 2.5 tribes to join the other 9.5 tribes as they sought to conquer the land of Canaan. Brian Bell - This is an excellent summary of this chapter! THE RESULTS! (33-42) At 1st Moses was indignant, but now after their explanation, he modifies his wrath & grants their request. Their cattle kept them on the wrong side of the river of separation. Results: God had promised them….THE LAND! [Israel’s place was inside Canaan] They were led by sight (Nu 32:1, cf 2 Cor 5:7) [Who else saw the land good for grazing? Lot!] [It was an eye-choice!] They sought their own things & not the things of God [They despised their inherit] These 2.5 tribes never entered the national life as did those on the other side They were far from the religious life. 1st at Shiloh, then at Jerusalem. When invasions came, it came upon them first, as they were isolated & exposed. Sweeping them & their cattle into captivity. Often in later centuries the other tribes had to come to their rescue. (1 Sam 11:1-15; 1 Kings 22:3) They were the first to be swept away with idolatry. In Deborah’s great song, in Judges 5:1-31, Reuben is rebuked for “sitting among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks” (read Jdg 5:15-16) This was against Jabon king of Canaan & his commander Sisera (Jdg 4:2), who gets the tent peg through his head by Jael Jdg 4:21. When the land was fully conquered, the 2.5 tribes had to put up an altar to let people know “they belonged to Israel”. (Joshua 22:10 altar) Joshua 22...this blew up w/ misunderstandings, the other tribes were ready to go to war over it (Josh 22:12). No, no, it is called the Altar of Witness (Joshua 22:34). Lastly, who remained in this land that we find in the NT? The Gadarenes! Mark 5 Application to us today: The 3 tribes east of the Jordan River have been compared to worldly believers today. Those who have chosen to “live on the wrong side of the cross” -- the river. They have no desire to share in the crucifixion of the self-life. (Nu 32:16) We just want to provide for our livelihood & our little ones. What’s wrong with that? Isn’t that noble? - Yes, but not at the expense of disobeying God (Who of course would have provided both for them). When material gain, not the glory of God, govern our decisions, we will make the wrong decisions. Read - Ps.47:1-4 “He will choose our inheritance for us!” Some people choose to live “on the border” of God’s blessing. They make their decisions on the basis of material gain not special blessing. The 2.5 tribes did not claim their inheritance in Canaan, though they were very close to it. We must beware of the cares of this world if we are poor, & of the deceitfulness of riches if we are rich. Mt.16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:34-38+) Beware of falling short of your proper position; your proper portion; of being content with things of this world; of taking any stand short of death and resurrection (our true & spiritual Jordan). These are 1/2 & 1/2 Christians (ok for milk, not for believers) (cf Heb 5:11-14). What great principle with regard to sin & consequences is expressed in Nu 32:23? What you sow that you shall reap. Gal 6:7,8+ How does compromise occur? [Sherman & Hendricks have a 7-step process that, if left unrecognized, could lead to moral compromise] A failure to commit ahead of time to do the right thing. Underestimating evil and flirting with dangerous temptations, thus being exposed to far more powerful evils. A failure to recognize the numerous forms of compromise lurking at every corner of life. A failure to recognize the smooth flatteries and enticing fantasies of temptations. Succumbing to slick rationalizations. A sudden, deliberate choice to give in to sin. A failure to consider the costly consequences of sin. Amaziah was a good king. Yet in 2 Kings 14:3, we are told why Amaziah did not experience the full blessing of the Lord. The text says, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David.” He followed the example of his father Joash and failed to put a stop to the semipagan worship conducted on hills throughout the land. He simply didn’t aim high enough! Ps.68:19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah. [Don’t miss those daily benefits] “Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another - too often ending in the loss of both.” Question: Who was Manasseh in the Bible? Answer: There are two historically significant men named Manasseh in the Bible. King Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah; and Manasseh, Joseph’s firstborn son. This article will deal with Joseph’s son. Joseph, Jacob’s eleventh son, was sold into slavery and, through the providence of God, ended up as the vizier of Egypt. In that land, he married Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50). Asenath was the mother of Manasseh. Manasseh’s name literally means “making forgetful”; Joseph said he chose that name “because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household” (Genesis 41:51). Joseph had a new life in Egypt and a new family. Joseph and Asenath had a second son, Ephraim. Later, Joseph’s father, Jacob, and Joseph’s brothers and their families moved to Egypt to escape a famine. When Jacob was about to die, Joseph brought his sons to him for a patriarchal blessing. Jacob basically adopted the boys as his own sons (Genesis 48:5) so that they would share in his inheritance. Manasseh and Ephraim are among the twelve tribes of Israel that inherited territory in the Promised Land. Joseph intended for Jacob to bless Manasseh more than Ephraim, since Manasseh was the firstborn and the customary recipient of the birthright. However, Jacob chose to give Ephraim the greater blessing—even though Joseph objected. Jacob said, “[Manasseh] too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations” (Genesis 48:19). These words came to pass much later, when Moses took a census of all the children of Israel. Manasseh had 32,200 descendants who were age 20 and over and able to go to war, and Ephraim had 40,500 (Numbers 1:32–35). From then on, the tribe of Ephraim, the younger, is almost always listed before that of Manasseh, the older (see Numbers 2:18–20). GotQuestions.org Numbers 32:34 The sons of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer, Dibon: Nu 32:3 21:20 33:45,46 Aroer: De 2:36 Isa 17:2 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The sons of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer - See descriptions below. The Gadites responded to Moses' "okay," by building towns, which they would need to house their families while they went to battle. And as stated elsewhere, they may have been in battle for as long as 7 years (and possibly longer if they stayed for the apportioning of the land). It is worth noting that when the time for battle arrived, not all of the Reubenites and Gadites were required (this does not seem to be disobedience but at the discretion of Joshua) so that about 40,000 men equipped for war crossed over for battle before the LORD (Joshua 4:12-13). This number is less than half of the total number of their available warriors and would suggest that the other half remained on the eastern side of the Jordan to protect the families from the inhabitants of the land. It is notable that these 40,000 were in the vanguard and led the crossing into enemy territory. Dibon - Place name possibly meaning, “pining away” or “fence of tubes.” Capital city of Moab captured by Moses (Numbers 21:21-31). Gad and Reuben asked for it as their tribal territory (Numbers 32:3). Gad took control and fortified Dibon (Numbers 32:34). It thus became known as Dibon-gad and was one of Israel's camping spots east of the Jordan (Numbers 33:45-46). Joshua reported that Moses gave Dibon to the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:9 ,Joshua 13:9,13:17). In pronouncing judgment on Moab, Isaiah described the religious mourning at the worship place in Dibon (Isaiah 15:2), showing that Moab had gained control of Dibon by about 730 B.C. The Moabite stone of King Mesha, discovered in Dibon, shows that Moab controlled Dibon about 850 B.C. About 700 B.C. Jeremiah again announced destruction for Moab and Dibon (Jeremiah 48:18-22). (Holman Bible Dictionary) Dibon - 11v - Num. 21:30; Num. 32:3; Num. 32:34; Num. 33:45; Num. 33:46; Jos. 13:9; Jos. 13:17; Neh. 11:25; Isa. 15:2; Jer. 48:18; Jer. 48:22 Ataroth - Place name meaning, “crowns.” Town desired and built up by tribe of Gad (Numbers 32:3 ,Numbers 32:3,32:34 ). Mesha, king of Moab, about 830 B.C. claims he captured Ataroth but admits it belonged to Gad “from of old” and had been built by an Israelite king. It is located at modern Khirbet Attarus, eight miles northwest of Dibon and eight miles east of the Dead Sea. (Holman Bible Dictionary) Aroer - City on north rim of Arnon Gorge east of Dead Sea on southern boundary of territory Israel claimed east of the Jordan River (Joshua 13:9 ). It figured in territorial claims of Reuben (Joshua 13:16 ), though the tribe of Gad originally built it (Numbers 32:34). Compare Deuteronomy 3:12 . Sihon, king of the Amorites, ruled it prior to Israel's conquest (Deuteronomy 4:48; Joshua 12:2). Israel claimed a three hundred year history in the area (Judges 11:26 ). Jehu's sins brought God's punishment on Israel, including the loss of Aroer to Hazael of Damascus (about 840 B.C.) (2 Kings 10:33 ). Compare Isaiah 17:2 . Jeremiah asked Aroer to witness God's coming judgment on Moab (Jeremiah 48:19). The Moabites had gained control of Aroer under King Mesha, as his inscription on the Moabite Stone witnesses (about 850 B.C.). Spanish excavations show Aroer to have been more a border fortress than a major city. It is located at Khirbet Arair two and one-half miles east of the highway along the Arnon River. (Holman Bible Dictionary) Numbers 32:35 and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah, Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah Numbers 32:36 and Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and sheepfolds for sheep. fenced cities: Nu 32:24 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries and Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and sheepfolds for sheep. Bethnimrah: Probably the same as Nimrim in Jer 48:34, and the Bethnabris mentioned by Eusebius, five miles north from Livias. Burckhardt says, that "in the valley of the Jordan, south of Abou Obeida, are the ruins of Nemrim, probably the Beth-nimrah of the Scriptures." Nu 32:3, Nimrah Numbers 32:37 The sons of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim, Heshbon: Nu 32:3 21:27 Isa 15:4 Elealeh: Elealeh is placed, by Eusebius, a mile from Heshbon. It is now called El Aal, "the high," and is situated on a hill. Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The sons of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim, Numbers 32:38 and Nebo and Baal-meon--their names being changed--and Sibmah, and they gave other names to the cities which they built. Nebo: Isa 46:1 Baal meon: This town is placed, by Eusebius and Jerome, nine miles from Heshbon, at the foot of mount Abarim. Nu 22:41 gave other names unto the cities: Heb. they called by names the names of the cities, Nu 32:3 Ge 26:18 Ex 23:13 Jos 23:7 Ps 16:4 Isa 46:1 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries and Nebo and Baal-meon--their names being changed--and Sibmah, and they gave other names to the cities which they built - As Rashi noted, some of these cities bore names associated with pagan gods. The Israelites were impelled to rename these cities, so that the pagan gods were not mentioned when reading the sacred text. It is not clear how many names this phrase refers to in Hebrew, which is literally “name being changed.” Here is a rendering - "The tribe of Reuben rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38 Sibmah, as well as the towns that used to be known as Nebo and Baal-Meon. They renamed all those places." John Trapp on their names being changed - Out of detestation of those idols, Baal, Nebo, &c. {see Ex 23:13 Ps 16:4 Isa 46:1} Heathenish gods should not be so far honoured as to be heard of out of Christian mouths. RASHI - Nebo, Baal-meon—some names being changed. Nebo and Baal-meon were the names of idols, for the Amorites used to name their towns after their idols. The Reubenites, however, changed them to other names NAHMANIDES Nebo, Baal-meon—some names being changed. See Rashi’s comment. But they gave their own names to towns that they rebuilt—all the towns they rebuilt, not just these two. Besides, what would be the point of recording the idolatrous names and then saying that they had been changed, without telling us the new, wholesome names? In fact, Scripture ordinarily does give us the new names when names are changed, as in Nu 32:41–42; see also Josh. 14:15; 15:15, and Josh 19:47. My guess is that the names given here were the Moabite names; remember that Sihon had captured these towns from Moab; see Nu 21:30. (You will find some of the same names in the oracles against Moab in Jeremiah 48 and Isaiah 15–16, for Moab had recaptured them after King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria captured Gilead and deported the Gadites and the Reubenites to Assyria; see 2 Kings 15:29.) To make a long story short, it was the Amorites who changed the names of these towns. The Gadites and the Reubenites simply changed them back to “their own” original, Moabite names. These were the names they knew them by—or perhaps they wanted to embarrass Moab. It may well be, as the Sages say, that the Amorites named their towns after their idols. But we do not find Joshua changing any of the names of the towns that he conquered. Numbers 32:39 The sons of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it. Nu 26:29 Ge 50:23 Jos 17:1 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The sons of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it - Dispossessed is the Hebrew verb yarash which means to take possession or take away the possession from someone. The Septuagint translates yarash with a "stronger" verb apollumi which means to destroy, kill or bring to ruin. This would suggest that the sons of Machir did not just run them out of town, but put them out of their misery so to speak! Machir - Personal name meaning “sold.” 1. Oldest son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph (Joshua 17:1 ). He was the father of Gilead (Joshua 17:1 ), Peresh, and Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:16 ), and a daughter whose name is not given (1 Chronicles 2:21 ). He had a brother named Asriel (1 Chronicles 7:14 ) and a wife named Maacah (1 Chronicles 7:16 ). Machir was the head of the family called the Machirites (Numbers 26:29 ). Apparently Machir along with his family had a reputation for being expert warriors (Joshua 17:1 ). “Because he was a man of war,” Machir was allotted the territory of Bashan and Gilead, east of the Jordan (Joshua 17:1 ). Apparently the territory of the Machirites started at the site of Mahanaim, on the Jabbok River, extended northward, and included the region around the Yarmuk River (Joshua 13:29-31 ). Numbers 32:40 So Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh, and he lived in it. De 3:13-15 Jos 13:29-31 17:1 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh, and he lived in it - One would think that Machir per se would not be alive if he was of the first generation out of Egypt. NAHMANIDES Moses gave Gilead to Machir son of Manasseh. That is, to the Machirite clan; according to v. 39, it was Machir’s descendants who captured it. (The same applies to Deut. 3:15.) All the tribes are referred to in this way, in honor of the great men whose descendants they were. The holding is given to Ephraim (and so forth)—not to the tribe of Ephraim. Josh. 17:1 does refer to “the tribe of Manasseh,” out of respect. For all the men of this tribe were valiant warriors; they in fact conquered Gilead on their own. Numbers 32:41 Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its towns, and called them Havvoth-jair. Jair: De 3:14 Jos 13:30 1Ch 2:21-23 Havothjair: Jud 10:4 1Ki 4:13 Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its towns, and called them Havvoth-jair. Jair - Son, i.e. descendant of Manasseh ( Numbers 32:41; Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 13:30; 1 Kings 4:13 :1 1 Kings 2:22 f). According to 1 Chronicles 2:21 f he was the son of Segub, son of Hezron, a descendant of Judah, who married the daughter of Machir, son of Manasseh. He was thus descended both from Judah and Manasseh. At the time of the conquest he distinguished himself by taking the tent-villages HAVVOTH-JAIR. The accounts of his exploit are difficult to harmonize (see ICC on above passages). Some would identify him with the Jair of Judges 10:3 , holding that Manasseh's settlement in Northern Gilead and Bashan took place, not before Israel's passage of the Jordan, but after the settlement of the tribe on the West. Numbers 32:42 Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah after his own name. Numbers 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah after his own name. - See Nobah - the Man and the Place.