In
Luke 12:15 Jesus reminds us that life does not consist in the plenty of
one’s possession. In the same breath, He told a parable urging us to be rich
toward God and not to be distracted by riches. When one’s focus is on the
riches one has, there is the tendency to forget that God is one’s source. When
that happens, there is the temptation to make plans contrary to God’s direction
in one’s life. This was what happened to the sons of Reuben and Gad. What was
their motivation? Was it not their comfort? Numbers 32:1 said that when they
saw the lands of Jazer and Gilead, areas on the east of Jordan, a suitable
place for their livestock, they no longer looked forward to the promised land.
Their words to Moses in Numbers 32:5 were, “…do not take us across the
Jordan.”
The
wealth of the sons of Reuben and Gad had made them inward-looking. Motivated by
comfort and selfishness, they wanted to remain in the lands that Israel had
already conquered and settled down. They were no longer concerned with the
other tribes and were unprepared to go into the promised land to help their
brothers to possess it. This always happens when one chooses to focus on oneself
only. The inclination is to become inwardly focused on one’s own comfort and
become unconcerned about the needs of others.
So
Moses rigorously challenged their foolish intentions. Rhetorically he
asked, “Shall your brothers go to war
while you yourselves sit here?” He pointed out to them that their decision would
discourage the other tribes from going forward to possess what God had
installed for them. He warned them of creating another debacle like what
happened at Kadesh Barnea where their forefathers listened to the 10 spies and
refused to move forward. Consequently, they were all made to wander in the wilderness
for 40 years till that generation, except for Caleb and Joshua, was wiped out.
Forcefully calling them “a brood of sinful men,” Moses warned them that they
could kindle the anger of the Lord and cause the same calamity to fall on their
brethren of the other tribes. When that should happen, they would be
guilty of destroying the people.
Like the sons of Reuben and Gad, the
lesson for us is the same. How we choose to live our lives never affect ourselves
only. How we live will always impact the lives of others as well. What we do
have the clear ability to set the spiritual atmosphere for the community that
God has put us in. Whether we are committed or stay uncommitted, we unwittingly
set an example for others to emulate. We can choose to stir them up to live for
God or douse their passion for God. When we live passionately for
Christ by pursuing a life of holiness and active service, we can spread our
zeal to others as well. Choose to live passionately for God and spread
our spiritual fire. Remember these words?
It only takes a spark
to get a fire going
And soon all those around
can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it.
You spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.
No comments:
Post a Comment