Recognizing the Right Things People Do

“But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, ([for] I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you;” (De 3:19 AV)

When the forty years wilderness wanderings were up and the nation of Israel was preparing to enter Canaan, two and a half tribes petitioned Moses and Joshua that they might settle on the east side of Jordan.  They were primarily shepherds by trade, and the east side of Jordan was a plus valley ideal for cattle.  Initially, Moses was not happy by this request.  He reluctantly granted them their wish on the condition they would cross over Jordan and help the rest of the nation defeat their enemies.  This they did.  They left their wives, children, and cattle on the east side of Jordan while they crossed over and fought battles that would win the land for the rest of the nation.  These two and a half tribes are often criticized for their wishes.  Yet seldom are they recognized for their bravery and faith.  They left their families unprotected against eminent threat to help the rest of the nation into their rest.  That deserves some mention.

It is often assumed the two and a half tribes desired something which the LORD had not initially intended for them.  But the Bible doesn’t teach us that these tribes were divinely rebuked for their choice.  Moses was concerned that in settling their territory before all of Canaan was subdued, it would discourage the rest of the nation.  It would seem the two and a half tribes acted pragmatically while not considering what prudence meant for the rest of the people.  The fact they were willing to leave their families unprotected to help their brethren; and they had always intended to do so; their request, although pragmatic, was not inconsiderate.  The choice to settle with the river dividing them came with some difficulties.  Assumed animosity, which was not the case, crept in.  Both sides assumed the other would eventually grow contrary.  This was not the case.  They held their relationship in unity until the ten northern tribes split with Judah and Benjamin.  Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh never failed in their obligation to help their country.

We may not understand the choices of others.  They may seem practical in the face of it.  But we also can see how those choices might cause issues in the future.  What we should do is recognize people for the good they do.  Sure, we all make decisions that some may not understand.  But standing in judgment for those choices when we are unclear as to what the will of the LORD is, is not a wise nor a charitable thing.  The two and a half tribes did something the other nine and a half tribes did not.  The other tribes did not have to leave their families unprotected for the sake of the whole.  The two and a half tribes did.  They deserve admiration for their sacrifice and faith.  Perhaps they were not supposed to settle on the east side.  Maybe they were, and that was God’s plan all along.  We don’t know.  We know that was their desire and God did not forbid it.  What we can say is their character and faith that pushed them to fight alongside of their nation while their wives and children sat in cities awaiting their return deserves some honorable mention.  They stepped up.  They didn’t slack even though they could have.  They fought like everyone else, but had more on the line than the others.  This deserves admiration.