Numbers:32

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* Verse 1-5 - Here is a proposal made by the Reubenites and Gadites , that the land lately conquered might be allotted to them . Two things common in the world might lead these tribes to make this choice ; the lust of the eye , and the pride of life . There was much amiss in the principle they went upon ; they consulted their own private convenience more than the public good . Thus to the present time , many seek their own things more than the things of Jesus Christ ; and are led by worldly interests and advantages to take up short of the heavenly Canaan . * Verse 6-15 - The proposal showed disregard to the land of Canaan , distrust of the Lord 's promise , and unwillingness to encounter the difficulties and dangers of conquering and driving out the inhabitants of that land . Moses is wroth with them . It will becomes any of God 's Israel to sit down unconcerned about the difficult and perilous concerns of their brethren , whether public or personal . He reminds them of the fatal consequences of the unbelief and faint-heartedness of their fathers , when they were , as themselves , just ready to enter Canaan . If men considered as they ought what would be the end of sin , they would be afraid of the beginning of it . * Verse 16-27 - Here is the good effect of plain dealing . Moses , by showing their sin , and the danger of it , brought them to their duty , without murmuring or disputing . All men ought to consider the interests of others as well as their own ; the law of love requires us to labour , venture , or suffer for each other as there may be occasion . They propose that their men of war should go ready armed before the children of Israel into the land of Canaan , and that they should not return till the conquest of Canaan was ended . Moses grants their request , but he warns them of the danger of breaking their word . If you fail , you sin against the Lord , and not against your brethren only ; God will certainly reckon with you for it . Be sure your sin will find you out . Sin will surely find out the sinner sooner or later . It concerns us now to find our sins out , that we may repent of them , and forsake them , lest they find us out to our ruin . * Verse 28-42 - Concerning the settlement of these tribes , observe , that they built the cities , that is , repaired them . They changed the names of them ; probably they were idolatrous , therefore they should be forgotten . A spirit of selfishness , of seeking our own , not the things of Christ , when each one ought to assist others , is as dangerous as it is common . It is impossible to be sincere in the faith , sensible of the goodness of God , constrained by the love of Christ , sanctified by the power of the Holy Ghost , and yet be indifferent to the progress of religion , and the spiritual success of others , through love of ease , or fear of conflict . Let then your light so shine before men , that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father which is in heaven . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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