Deuteronomy 3:12-17 – Being responsible for our assignment

A sizable stretch of land, east of Jordan facing the promised land controlled by King Sihon and King Og were all taken by the children of Israel. They seized the cities, towns, fields, and livestock. It was the Lord who had helped them by putting fear in the hearts of Sihon, Og, and the Amorites, the people of Bashan. Furthermore, it was not the Israelites who had initiated the battles but Sihon and Og. And in both encounters, the people of Israel completely exterminated the men, women, and children.  

Having conquered these areas, Moses then distributed the land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. In Numbers 32, we saw how the tribes of Reuben and Gad approached Moses and requested for the land on this side of Jordan. They already had a large herd of cattle and livestock. On seeing that the land here was good for raising their livestock, they approached Moses and asked to be given the land. Their men agreed to settle their family on this side of Jordan, but they would help the other tribes to possess the promised land. They would only return to join their family after their brothers had taken the promised land.

Here in verses 12-17, Moses distributed the land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. Reuben had the southernmost part, Gad the middle section, and Manasseh the north. What lesson do we learn from the distribution of the land? Why was this exercise needful? Firstly it was done to avoid possible conflict if the land was not properly designated. Secondly, every tribe would know that the land distributed to them was theirs and they had the responsibility to upkeep what was given to them. This passage brings us to what Paul said to the Corinthians and by extension to us. God has distributed clusters of gifts to every believer, we included. We are responsible to exercise and develop our God-given gifts. We must not be jealous of what others may have but instead exercise what we are given. In so doing, we will complement what others have and supplement what they lack. Our objective should be to edify the body of Christ, and build the common good of all believers in the fellowship.