The Grands Letter (Num/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on December 21, 2025 6:16 am (CST)
Dear Grands,
Numbers 32:16-23, “Then they came near to (Moses) and said, “We will build here sheepfolds for our livestock and cities for our little ones;
17 but we ourselves will be armed and ready to go before the sons of Israel, until we have brought them to their place, while our little ones live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18 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.”
Working together was not always easy for the Israelites. It is true that the tribes often had mutual enemies outside their own nation; however, they were not always in agreement as to how to deal with them. Notice the “we will” in verses 16 and 17, in contrast to the “we will not” in verses 18 and 19. It is noteworthy that Moses ignored their negatives and transcended to the positive, avoiding a needless confrontation. After all, Moses knew the LORD’s directive, and he was determined to enact it. Still, churches are often like that. They have a common goal but cannot come together on how to achieve the objective. Many times it’s due to poor leadership. More often, however, it is due to members who refuse to yield to the leadership the LORD has put in control. Assuming “wrongs” to be true of both camps, prayer becomes all the more vital. Otherwise, “be sure your sin will find you out.”
Heartily in Christ,
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America
