The Unwritten Sin

Noting the context of scripture passages is most helpful in interpreting and applying the word of God personally.  Verses that have been commonly repeated and hackneyed can have fresh meaning infused into them by simple observation.  The truth doesn't change, but taking time to consider and meditate on God's word begins to change us.

The second part of Numbers 32:23 has become a stand-alone maxim spoken by Moses:  "Be sure your sin will find you out."  This is true, for no sin remains hidden before the holy Judge of all the earth before all will someday stand.  The entire verse shows this statement was prompted by a preceding conversation.  The entire verse reads, "But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out."  The context shows Moses addressed the men of Reuben and Gad who requested their inheritance be given to them on the east side of the Jordan.

Initially Moses rebuked the men as sinners who discouraged others because he thought they were not going to cross the Jordan at all!  The men of Reuben and Gad assured Moses they would cross over the Jordan with the rest of the congregation to fight so all Israel could enter into the inheritance promised them by the LORD.  Only after their brethren had driven out the inhabitants of the land would they return to their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan.  Numbers 32:20-23 reads, "Then Moses said to them: "If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the LORD for the war, ²¹ and all your armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven out His enemies from before Him, ²² and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you may return and be blameless before the LORD and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. ²³ But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out."

It is insightful the sin referred to in context was not a sin written in the Law of Moses, but was a sin of omission--the sin of not doing what they promised to do.  While we are rightly concerned to avoid doing what God calls sin and choosing to walk uprightly in obedience to Christ, this warning of Moses speaks to words we have spoken and promises we have made that we have neglected to fulfill.  The words of the children of Reuben and Gad spoken before men were also uttered before God, and He would see them follow through.  Reading these words impacted me deeply and moved me to consider my ways.  This passage shows me one need not make a vow to have words that are binding before God, and we can be sure our sin will find us out.