Going all the Way (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 32:5

At this point, the children of Israel have been traveling in the wilderness for nearly 40 years. They have arrived at the Promised Land given to them by God Himself. All that is left to do is cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land.

But three tribes out of the twelve tell Moses that they would rather inherit the land on the other side of the Jordan. Why would they reject what God had offered them for something else?

It isn't because they were afraid to fight. They told Moses that they would help their brothers fight to take the land and then return to the land east of Jordan (verses 16-19).

The answer is simply that they did not trust that God's plans were better than their own.

So it is with us when we reject what God has prepared for us in exchange for a scheme of our own making. "But God, I promise I will fulfill my duty to you and do whatever is required of me, just grant me my desire."

This is foolishness.

God does not first and foremost desire our service and sacrifice; He desires our trust and our love.

We must make sure we do not get so caught up in fulfilling our duties to the Lord that we neglect to take hold of the gift of communion with Him that He has purchased for us.

When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 

But Jesus said to him,

“A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 

And at the time for the banquet

he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited,

‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

But they all alike began to make excuses.

The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field,

and I must go out and see it.

Please have me excused.’

And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen,

and I go to examine them.

Please have me excused.’ 

And another said, ‘I have married a wife,

and therefore I cannot come.’

...

And the master said to the servant,

‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in,

that my house may be filled.

For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’

Luke 14:15-20, 23-24