Schoolmaster to Christ
NUMBERS CHAPTER 32
Schoolmaster to Christ
NUMBERS CHAPTER 32
Scripture Reading: Numbers 32 (KJV)
The fact recorded in this chapter has given rise to considerable discussion. Various opinions have been advanced regarding the conduct of the two and a half tribes. Were they right or were they wrong in choosing their inheritance on the wilderness side of Jordan? This is the question. Was their action in this matter the expression of power or weakness? How are we to form a sound judgment in this case?
In the first place, where was Israel's proper portion, their divinely destined inheritance? Surely it was on the other side of Jordan, in the land of Canaan. Well, then, should not this fact suffice? Would or could a really true heart; a heart that thought, felt, and judged with God, have entertained the idea of selecting a portion other than that which God had allotted and bestowed? The answer is no. Therefore, we need not go further in order to have a divine judgment on this subject. On the part of Reuben and Gad, as well as the half tribe of Manasseh, it was a mistake, a failure, a stopping short of the divine mark to choose any boundary line short of the river Jordan. In their conduct they were governed by worldly and selfish considerations; by the sight of their eyes; by carnal motives. They surveyed "the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead," and they estimated it according to their own interests, and without reference to the judgment and will of God. Had they been looking simply to God, the question of settling down short of the river Jordan would have never been raised.
But when people are not truehearted, they get into circumstances that give rise to all sorts of questions. It is a great matter to be enabled by Divine grace to pursue a line of action, to tread a path so unequivocal that no question can be raised. It is a holy and happy privilege to carry ourselves so that no complication may arise. The secret of doing this is to walk with God, to have our conduct wholly governed by His Word.
But, from the entire history it is manifest that Reuben and Gad were not so governed. They were half-and-half men; men of mixed principles; mere borderers; men who sought their own things, and not the things of God. Had these latter engrossed their hearts, nothing would have induced them to take up their position short of the true boundary line.
It is evident that Moses had no sympathy with their proposal. It was a judgment on his conduct that he was not allowed to go over. His heart was in the Promised Land; and he longed to go thither in person. How could he then approve of the conduct of men who were not only prepared but actually desirous to take up their abode somewhere else? Faith can never be satisfied with anything short of the true position and portion of God's people. A single eye can only see; a faithful heart only desire the inheritance given of God.
Therefore, Moses at once condemned the proposition of Reuben and Gad. True, he later relaxed his judgment and gave his consent. Their promise to cross the Jordan, ready armed, before their brethren, drew a kind of assent from Moses. It seemed to be an extraordinary manifestation of unselfishness and energy to leave all their loved ones behind, and cross the Jordan to fight for their brethren. But where had they left those loved ones? They had left them short of the divine mark. They had deprived them of a place and portion in the true land of promise – that inheritance God had spoken to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob about. And for what? To get good pasture for their cattle. For this did the two and a half tribes abandoned their place within the true limits of the Israel of God.
Let us briefly look at the consequences of this line of action. In Joshua 22, we have the first sorrowful effect of the equivocal conduct of Reuben and Gad. They must build an altar – "a great altar to see to" lest in time to come their brethren might disown them. What does all this prove? It proves that they were wrong in taking up their position on this side of Jordan. And consider the effect on the whole assembly – the disturbing, alarming effect of this altar. At the first blush, it wore the aspect of actual rebellion.
"And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them. And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel. And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying, Thus saith the whole congregation of the Lord [did not the two and a half belong to it?] what trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the Lord, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord? Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the Lord, but that ye must turn away this day from following the Lord and it will be, seeing ye rebel to-day against the Lord, that to-morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel. Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord's tabernacle dwelleth, [what burning words] and take possession among us: but rebel not against the Lord, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the Lord our God" (Josh. 22:12-19; emphasis added).
All this serious misunderstanding; all this trouble and alarm, was the result of failure on the part of Reuben and Gad. True, in reference to the altar, they are able to explain themselves and satisfy their brethren. But had they not taken up an equivocal position, there would have been no need for the altar, no demand for explanation, and no cause of alarm.
Here was the source of all the mischief; and it is important for serious students of God's Holy Word to seize this point with clearness, deducing its great practical lesson. It can hardly be questioned, by any thoughtful, spiritually minded person who fully weighs the evidence, that the two and a half tribes were wrong in taking up their position short of the Jordan. Seen on the ground of what has already come before us, this seems unquestionable; and if further proof were needed, it is furnished by the fact that they were the first to fall into the enemy's hands (See 1 Kings 22:3).
But perhaps one may be disposed to ask, "What does all this say to us? Has this piece of history any voice, any instruction for us?" Unquestionably, yes. It sounds in our ears with accents of deep solemnity, "Beware of falling short of your proper position; your proper portion of being content with the things which belong to this world; of taking any stand short of death and resurrection, the true, the spiritual Jordan." No doubt there are many sincere Christians who do not see the heavenly calling and position of the Lord's church – who do not enter into the special character of truth taught in the Epistle to the Ephesians – who are nevertheless earnest, devoted, and true-hearted; but we feel persuaded that such persons lose incalculable blessing in their own souls, and fall short of true Christian testimony.
We conceive that such is the teaching of this chapter of Numbers. It is a grand point when one whole-heartedly, decidedly, and unequivocally takes a stand for Christ. Those who profess to be Christians do serious damage to the cause of God and the testimony of Christ, by denying their heavenly calling and character, and acting like citizens of this world. This is a powerful engine in the hands of Satan. An undecided, half-and-half Christian is more inconsistent than an open out-and-out worldling or infidel. We view the unreality of those who only profess Christianity is far more injurious to the cause of God than the various forms of moral pravity put together. This may seem a strong statement; but in this age it is too true. Professing Christian who are only mere borderers; men of mixed principles; persons of doubtful deportment. these are the men who most seriously damage the blessed cause, and promote the designs of the enemy of Christ. What we need is a band of whole-hearted, thoroughgoing, unmistakable witnesses for Jesus Christ; men who plainly declare that they seek a country; earnest, unworldly men.
These are men for the present crisis. What can be more deplorable, more saddening and discouraging, than to find those who make a lofty profession, who talk loudly of death and resurrection, who boast of their high degrees; their high teachings and heavenly privileges, but whose walk and ways make lies of their words? They love the world and things of the world. They love money and eagerly grasp and hoard as much as possible.
Let us see to these things, and honestly judge ourselves as in the presence of God, putting away everything, no matter what, that tends to hinder the complete devotion of ourselves in spirit, soul and body to Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us. To use the language of Joshua 22, may we carry ourselves so as not to need any altar, nor anything to declare where we belong, where we worship, whose we are and whom we serve. May God help us make everything about ourselves this transparent and unquestionable, so that our testimony will be distinct and the sound of our trumpet certain. Then our peace will flow like a river, and the entire bent of our course and character will be to the praise of Him whose name we are called. May the good Lord stir up the hearts of His people in this day of hateful indifferentism; self-promotion; lukewarmness; and easy-going profession of faith; to more genuine self-surrender, true consecration to the cause of Christ, and unshaken faith in the living God. Please join us in pleading for all this.
