The Reubenites
and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer
and Gilead were suitable for livestock (Numbers 32:1).
As Israel was camped on the Plains of Moab, the tribes of
Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh took inventory of their surroundings. They
looked around on the east side of the Jordan in Gilead, and couldn’t understand
how Canaan could be any better than the lands already under their feet. They
came to Moses and said, “Gilead
been veddy, veddy goood to me.” (Okay, this is a very, very obscure
1970s Saturday Night Live Garrett Morris reference – one would require a
misspent youth and too much time on their hands to get it.)
At first, Moses was incensed, thinking these three tribes
were abandoning the rest of the nation just as they were about to cross into
Canaan to drive out the inhabitants of the land. This didn’t set well with
Moses until they assured him they would participate in the battle campaigns for
Canaan, and then return to their wives and children in Gilead.
While Moses gave his blessing to the request of these three
tribes, it really didn’t end well. There was never really a strong connection
between these transJordan tribes
and the rest of Israel. As we continue to read, we will find the references to
them become fewer and farther between.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Do you have any distant
family members with whom it would be good to reconnect? …any for whom you
should be praying? Take steps to contact them.
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