Num 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manassah approached Moses to petition that they be allowed to stay on the east side of the Jordan and have an inheritance there, rather than in the Promised Land. Their reasoning was that they had so many cattle and that land was good cattle land. Gad, by the way, means a troop or a crowd.
Moses was angered at the request by this crowd. It was definitely not part of his agenda, for which he had worked the past 40 years.
But these 2 and 1/2 tribes proffered a plan, the men would go into the land, conquer and divide it with the rest of Israel and then return to their people east of Jordan. Moses decided he could live with that, as long as they held up their end of the bargain.
We can well relate to this story. The Jews in the wilderness are a type of the church in this world. It is to be unified and strong. Splits and division are to be avoided whenever possible. Only in God's plan should division for greater good occur.
One example may be planting a partner church across town. A pastor, like Moses was to Israel, is rightfully agitated when a body is about to separate. But He is thrilled when it means that God's work is increased.
May our church (and yours) work together to become so successful that we are able to divide and conquer the land.
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