The Book Of Numbers | A Journey Toward Human Freedom Under God's AuthoritySample

"Belief"

From all outward appearances, the tribes of Rueben and Gad followed God’s leadership, and they did quite well for themselves. But as you read Numbers 32 a question will most likely loom in your mind; “Why did Rueben and Gad not want to go into the Promised Land.” I mean, they believed God right? They loved God, right? Who couldn’t love a God who is for you and not against you? Who couldn’t trust a powerhouse-God that is willing to risk his own reputation to save yours? And yet, even in the wake of all that had happened, in God over and over again showing his covenant blessings to Israel’s people, the request still came, “Do not take us across the Jordan.”

This passage should cause you to wrestle with the difference between real and false belief. In these passages, Rueben and Gad’s true guts and glory are revealed and challenged for what they really were. God was a means to an end in their minds. He was a boat on which they had sailed to get across the sea into a land of their own individual convenience. Their slave heart and perspective remained, for to them freedom was still defined by getting what one deserves. They were hardwired to protect what they thought was their own entitlement, and they would not release even to the Lord of Hosts. To them, his authority carried the stench of control, and they just could not stomach that anymore.

What are the true fruits of genuine belief? What should we look for in our lives and in the lives of others to see that we are under God’s authority?