“And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.”
In this verse, we find Moses addressing the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh. It refers to a particular event that took place during the time when the Israelites were journeying through the wilderness after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
To better understand the context of this verse, we can look at the preceding verses in Numbers 32. The tribes of Gad and Reuben, being livestock owners, noticed that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for their herds. They approached Moses and requested to settle in that area rather than crossing the Jordan River with the rest of the Israelites to enter the Promised Land.
At first, Moses was concerned that they were unwilling to fulfill their obligations to God and the rest of the tribes by remaining on the eastern side of the Jordan. However, after receiving reassurance that they would assist in the conquest of Canaan, Moses granted their request. However, it was essential for them to fulfill their commitment to God and their fellow Israelites.
In Numbers 32:33, Moses informs the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh that he has given them the kingdoms of Sihon, the king of the Amorites, and Og, the king of Bashan. This land included the cities and territories of those kingdoms.
This verse serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His people. Even though the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh were granted their request to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan, they still had a responsibility to contribute to the overall conquest of the Promised Land.
There are a few lessons we can learn from this verse:
- Fulfilling commitments: The tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh were permitted to settle in the land they desired, but they had to keep their promise to assist the other tribes in their conquest of Canaan. This reminds us of the importance of fulfilling our commitments to God and others.
- Unity and cooperation: Despite having different assignments, it was crucial for all the tribes to work together for the overall fulfillment of God’s plan. Cooperation and unity among believers are vital for the advancement of God’s kingdom.
- God’s provision: God, through Moses, provided the tribes with the land they desired. It demonstrates God’s faithfulness and His willingness to grant the requests of His people when they align with His will.
Overall, Numbers 32:33 teaches us about the significance of honoring commitments, working in unity, and relying on God’s provision. It encourages us to be faithful and obedient to God’s plans and purposes in our lives.
