Settling for the Ideal

Before crossing the Jordan river and entering the Promised Land, the Israelites obeyed the command of the LORD to war against the Midianites.  Numbers 32:1-5 reads, "Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, ² the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, ³ "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, ⁴ the country which the LORD defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." ⁵ Therefore they said, "If we have found favour in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan."

The situation played out like this:  the Israelite tribes of Reuben and Gad had much cattle, and the region was ideal for cattle.  They therefore requested to inherit the land east of Jordan instead of the land westward of Jordan God had promised - sight unseen.  The men who made the request proved honourable in that they fought alongside their fellow tribes until all came into their inheritance of land, and they desired to keep the covenant of Law before God in unity with all Israel.  Yet because they could not imagine better land for their herds and flocks, they settled for what seemed ideal.  It makes me wonder how often God's people (myself included) have settled for what seemed best at the time rather than trusting God who knows best!  The tribes of Ruben and Gad were pleased to continue raising livestock as they had in the past rather than embarking on a new adventure with God at the controls.

I find it interesting the land east of Jordan is no longer part of modern-day Israel.  The pens and paddocks built by the children of Reuben and Gad and the cities they dwelt in are now part of Jordan.  The land they chose for themselves passed to others, but the land received by inheritance by those tribes willing to cross Jordan trusting God have been restored.  The decision of the tribes of Reuben and Gad to choose their own inheritance rather than trusting God's plan for their future is important to take to heart.  Perhaps in their situation I would have done the exact same thing, but the long-term results remain for all who live today to consider.  I am convinced God's eternal plans for me are far superior to my dreams, for God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21).  The prophet Amos is a perfect example.  He explains God's plans trumped his experience in Amos 7:14-15:  "Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit. ¹⁵ Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'"

I love this!  While Amos was faithful to the LORD and was responsible and content in his current job, God tapped him on the shoulder to do something radically different: to be a prophet!  The tribes of Reuben and Gad may have owned great herds of livestock, but God's plans for them was not limited by their past experience or possessions.  Because of our skills or current job we might limit God to using us in that arena, but God is not confined.  We are the ones guilty of limiting Him, imagining there could be nothing superior for our needs and crossing the Jordan in faith is really unnecessary.  Thank the LORD He is patient with us, even allowing people who settle to be blessed.  Is it worth the risk of missing out on God's plans for settling for our ideal situation?  Not a chance!