Stay Focused on the Goal
Numbers 32:1, 5-8, 16-18, 20-24; 33:51-53
Conflict is a part of our everyday lives. A major source of conflict is rooted in situations when I am compelled to choose between what is good for me and what is good for others. The conflict is that I would like to do both if at all possible.
The children of Israel were about to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This has been the destination since setting out from Egypt. Two of the tribes of Israel had great flocks of sheep and cattle. The land on the east side of the Jordan was ideally suited for cattle, but it was not part of the land God had promised to deliver. The Rubenites and the Gadites wanted to receive these lands rather than receive land on the other side. They made their proposal to Moses, the high priest, and to the other tribal leaders. Moses was incensed at their proposal. He believed that they were sacrificing the good of the entire company to their selfish desires.
Such a dilemma can easily arise in a family when the father’s desire to go into business for himself would jeopardize the family’s security. The same situation would present itself in a church when the penchant to purchase a new piano for the sanctuary would pose a serious challenge to the funds for the homeless shelter. For many ministerial students, it is often a conflict between accepting a church assignment now or staying in seminary to obtain the needed education. How does one solve such conflicts when there are good reasons that support either choice? The answer is that we are to stay true to God’s plan for our lives. My friend and longtime pastor, the late John Hamrick, often said, “If God gives you a job to do, he will make a way for you to do it.”
The leaders of the two tribes committed to Moses that they would cross the Jordan to wage war along with the others tribes to secure the land, if their request was granted. They stated that they would be in the forefront. Moses agreed to the request, but added, “If you do not do this, then you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out” (NRSV).
God keeps his promises, and his desire is that we keep ours. Staying true to what we promise, God was portrayed beautifully in the Hallmark Hall of Fame true story drama, “Have a Little Faith.” Henry faced certain death by the hands of the drug dealers he had swindled. In desperation, he made a pledge to God. “If you get me through the night, I am yours in the morning.” Henry survived the night and went forward to become a preacher and do great works in one of the most blighted sections of Detroit.
Our stories of commitments kept are not likely to be portrayed on national television, but they are recorded by the only one who really matters.
Carnell– Lessons in the ETB series for the winter quarter are being written by Mitch Carnell, member of First Baptist Church, Charleston.