Cross The Jordan!

There’s an old saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” but for two and a half tribes of Israel, the grass wasn’t greener on the other side of the fence. They were content to stay just where they were at. I have to wonder, were they really happy there? What did they miss out on?

The story that I am referring to is in Numbers chapter 32. Here were the Israelites, who had wandered in the desert for 40 years. They were preparing to enter into the land that God had promised them. Remember, the land was promised to Abraham way back in Genesis chapter 12. This promise was a long time coming. The Israelites had come a long way through slavery, oppression and forty years in the wilderness to this point in history. They knew the inheritance that lay just beyond the Jordan River. They knew that all they needed to do was go, in the power of God and possess the land.

We find in Numbers chapter 32 that two and a half of the tribes of Israel (Reuben, Gad and part of Manasseh) wanted to stay on the East side of the Jordan River. They wanted to settle right where they were at, instead of going into the Promised Land with the rest of Israel. The reason that they gave for this was that they were herdsmen by trade and that they land that they were currently residing in was good for the herds (32:4).

There is quite a bit of dialogue after the fourth verse, but the part I want to get to is in verse 33. These tribes went with the rest of Israel into the Promised Land and defeated the enemy. Yet, they chose to return to the land on the East of the Jordan and this land became their inheritance. They gave up their stake in the land that God had promised them for a land that was good in their own eyes. They were walking by sight, not by faith!

The Bible doesn’t give a whole lot of detail on this story, but from what I can tell, those who stayed behind were willing to settle for what seemed good to them. We know that the land that God had promised was a good land, a land flowing with milk and honey (Numbers 13:27), yet they chose to stay where they were. No doubt the land they chose to stay in was good land. They were permitted to do this, but it wasn’t the perfect plan that God had chose for them from the beginning. Don’t you wonder what they missed out on? Doesn’t it make you wonder?

So where’s the life application part for us? How is this little chapter in Israel’s history going to teach us anything? I think often times as Christians we settle. We have a good life. We have a good relationship with our Savior. We look around and we see good surrounding us and we are content to stay exactly where we are at. It’s the enemy of complacency. We have a good life, so we see no need to press on to the Promised Land and find the treasures and blessings that lay beyond the Jordan River. Do you ever wonder what you are missing out on by staying right where you are at? When we ever realize that good in our eyes is not good enough?

Going beyond the Jordan for these tribes would have required a lot of work. They would have had to move their herds and their families across the Jordan. They had come this far, and were willing to settle in the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, instead of the land of Canaan. I have no doubt that the land there was good, but I know that because it wasn’t the land that God had chosen for them, it wasn’t as good as it was supposed to be. There’s nothing more completely satisfying than being in the perfect will of God. God in His sovereignty knows what’s best for you and your life.

Are you standing at the edge of the Jordan right now? Are you happy where you are at? Are you wondering what may lay beyond the Jordan? Maybe there is something in your life that you have refused to give up to this point. Maybe your prayer life is not what it should be. Maybe you aren’t devoting yourself completely to the work that God has called you to do. Are you content with what you know about God’s word? Are you content with your relationship with Him?

Make the commitment with me today to go beyond your current status and press on to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with your Savior. Pray that you will desire to press on beyond where you are at. Pray that you won’t be content, but that you will long to move forward in God’s perfect will for your life. It’s not going to be easy. I am not going to sugar coat it. It will take work. It will take determination. But just as God promised He would go with Israel into the battle, He will go with you (Deuteronomy 31:6). Cross the Jordan and enjoy the blessings that come to those who will chase God with their whole heart. It will be worth it!

I worship you my Heavenly Father. You are so good to me. I have such a good life. Your blessings abound in my life. But Lord, I don’t want to just stay where I am at. I don’t want to miss out on the blessings that you have for me if I will press on in Your ways and in Your work. I know you God, but I want to know You more. I love You God, but I want to love You more. Go with me God. Guide me in Your perfect will. Help me to press on and remind me that there is something better on the other side. I thank You Lord that You have chosen little ol’ me. Lord, use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
--Deuteronomy 31:6