The Grands Letter (Num/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on January 7, 2026 5:16 am (CST)
Dear Grands,
Numbers 32:19-23, “…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.’”
There has always been considerable squabbling among the Jews! Either they were totally united against another nation, or they were fractured and disunited within themselves. Here they had reached the land for which they had sought. Only the Jordan River awaited their crossing. But, the tribes of Gad and Reuben had large herds of cattle, and the land they would be required to leave behind looked better for their flocks than the land that lay across the Jordan.
Not to trivialize a situation, but have you ever noticed how children are content to play with certain toys until they see other children playing with different toys? Suddenly, what the other kids have looks better. Then the squabble is on!
Moses was then required to come up with a solution. Indeed he did! “Look,” he said, “you two tribes help the others make the crossing and get settled on the other side; then you will be released from your agreement and may return to those fertile fields.” They agreed!
Sometimes you and I are required to produce a plan that is agreeable to two opposing parties. We must never go back on our word, even though some “new” plan appears to be better than our previous one. Keeping good people together is the correct thing to do.
Heartily in Christ,
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America
“We will never know that Christ is all we need, Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom
