Settling

"Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had an exceedingly large number of livestock. So when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that it was indeed a place suitable for livestock, the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came and spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 'Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon, the land which the Lord conquered before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.' They said, 'If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession; do not take us across the Jordan." -Numbers 32.1-5

The people are on the edge of the Promised Land, preparing for conquest, but some of them take a look around and decide this place will work, it's good enough. The tribes of Reuben and Gad come to Moses and seek permission to settle east of the Jordan. They see that the land is suitable for livestock, which they have in abundance, and decide why not just stay put. They seek permission to settle on the border of the Promised Land.

They were so close to receiving the blessing of God, and yet they decided that they would rather stay put. It says that they saw that the land was suitable for livestock, and maybe their were tired of moving so they decided to stay because it would work. Maybe they felt that this place would meet the needs they had and decided that it wasn't worth the risk of losing this sure thing. But whatever the reason, these two tribes settled for less than what God had promised.

Men, have you found yourself settling? Have you found something safe, or sure, and just stuck with it because you didn't want to risk losing it and ending up with nothing? Have you decided that where you're at is good enough, and why go through the hassle of learning something new, or moving to a new place? What are you forfeiting because you have decided to settle?

They took a land that was suitable, not a land that was exceedingly good (Numbers 14.7). They had come so far with God and yet they sought to settle on the edge of the land He had promised rather than in it, going all the way. They took something that would work, rather than the full blessing. They settled.

What risk are you avoiding taking because you have something safe you don't want to leave? What passion has God placed on your heart that you are only half living out because you haven't gone all the way with it? Where are you settling, and why?

Let us be men of courage who boldly follow God out of what is safe and sure and take the risk that He has called us to take. Let us live with faith and claim all of the promises that He has made. Let us refuse to settle for less.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor