The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Numbers 32:8-12, “We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance.
19 “For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.”
20 So Moses said to them, “If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
21 and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him,
22 and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.
23 ‘But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.’”

I truly have no prejudice, unless there is an honest wrong within the other party. Having witnessed the testimonies of true, Christian believers from Iran, it is difficult to want to see Iran destroyed. At the same time, I am confident that most of the Israelis are not Christians; therefore, it is difficult to want to see Israel in the seat of trouble.

In reality then, although I favor and pray for Israel because they are the LORD’s people, I have witnessed as clearly as possible the salvation experiences of some Iranians. Thus, I am required to continue to pray for Israel, and I pray for believers in Christ, who are opposed to Israel.

I say that to say that Moses was undoubtedly somewhat confused when a portion of Israel did not want to cross the Jordan at Kadesh-barnea and fight along with their fellowmen. They liked the land on the Kadesh-barnea side of the Jordan and wanted simply to stay where they were.

Still, the LORD had apportioned their land as on the other side of the Jordan River. Moses is the LORD’s leader; but what is he to do?

Of all the things that I despise,
The foremost one is compromise.

Ultimately, Moses persuaded those, who wanted to remain in Kadesh-barnea, to first cross the Jordan, fight with their fellow countrymen; and then, return to Kadesh-barnea and live there.

There are times the LORD’s people have to compromise. To refuse to ever compromise is like saying that you’re always right; and we know that’s not true. Still, sometimes the line that separates right from wrong is very, very thin. Pastors are used to viewing problems from more than one perspective; so, if you are contemplating what to do, visit with your pastor. Just be prayerful and share everything with him. He will be confidential. Just trust him.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom