A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Wednesday,
May
19,
2021
We've
been having beautiful spring, but almost summer-like,
weather in our area with pleasant views as we travel the
scenic back-roads of Lancaster County.
"Misunderstandings"
Message
summary: May
God help us today to listen to one another and clarify
as needed to avoid misunderstandings.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
"Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, 'Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here? Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the Lord has given them?" (Numbers 32:6,7). "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).
Listen to this message on your audio player.
"Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, 'Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here? Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the Lord has given them?" (Numbers 32:6,7). "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).
Early
yesterday morning we pulled into the parking lot of a
company we serve as chaplains. Other employees usually
arrive about the same time and we greet them as they
come into the workplace. As I parked our car and
opened the door I saw a new face I didn't recognize
and said, "You must be new here". Suddenly her
expression looked strained as she sheepishly responded, "Oh no, did I
park in the wrong parking place?" She seemed genuinely distressed fearing she
had done something wrong.
Numbers
32 chronicles a misunderstanding that could have been
disastrous but thankfully it was quickly cleared up.
This records a time toward the end of the 40 year
wilderness wanderings when the new generation is
camped east of the Jordan preparing to enter the
Promised Land.
Leaders
from the tribes of Reuben and Gad approached Moses and
made a proposal to Moses that they would settle and
consider as their inheritance the lands east of the
Jordan, which they had already settled and found
suitable for their livestock.
But
Moses initially misunderstood their request, assuming
they were attempting to dodge their responsibilities
in joining the rest of the tribes in the conquest of
Canaan. "Moses said to the
Gadites and Reubenites, 'Should your fellow
Israelites go to war while you sit here? Why do
you discourage the Israelites from crossing over
into the land the Lord has given them?"
However, they immediately clarified their proposal, indicating that they would indeed be sending their fighting men to assist the other tribes and pledging that they would not return until the conquest was complete. Moses' tone changed with the clarification and he accepted their proposal, but in the second daily text he reminded them of the consequences of failing to keep their word. Tracking through the history of the conquest we see they did indeed fulfill their commitment and were commended by Joshua for their faithfulness in Joshua 22.
There's
a lot of good teaching in this Numbers 32 but let us
just focus on the initial assumption and reaction by
Moses. I believe it typifies situations that
occur frequently in life and lead to problems in
relationships in the marriage, home, church and
elsewhere. Moses drew the wrong conclusion and based
his initial response on that assumption. (Perhaps the
leaders of the tribes also erred in not being clearer
in their initial proposal as well).
Have you ever been like Moses? I sure have. Clarification can only be experienced when properly communicating and it will make a great contribution toward healing and understanding in relationships. May God help us today to listen to one another and clarify as needed to avoid misunderstandings. And be careful with assumptions since they can lead to wrong attitudes and actions!
Have you ever been like Moses? I sure have. Clarification can only be experienced when properly communicating and it will make a great contribution toward healing and understanding in relationships. May God help us today to listen to one another and clarify as needed to avoid misunderstandings. And be careful with assumptions since they can lead to wrong attitudes and actions!
Be
encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, help us to be slow to
speak, quick to listen, and eager to give the
benefit of the doubt to others. We often jump to
conclusions that are erroneous due to our own
preconceived ideas or based on past experiences.
Give each of us an understanding heart, a
gracious and discerning spirit as we relate to
those who intersect our paths from day to day.
In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, help us to be slow to
speak, quick to listen, and eager to give the
benefit of the doubt to others. We often jump to
conclusions that are erroneous due to our own
preconceived ideas or based on past experiences.
Give each of us an understanding heart, a
gracious and discerning spirit as we relate to
those who intersect our paths from day to day.
In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
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Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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