Living on the East Side of Jordan
Dan Rodgers
Numbers 32:1-7, 16-25, 33
October 14, 2007
INTRODUCTION: In this story, Israel was about to cross over the Jordon River to the Promised Land. It is referred to as the Promised Land because it is the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob, of course, had 12 sons. These are the 12 sons of Jacob or Israel.
The Lord described this land as a land "flowing with milk and honey." Certainly, you would think every tribe would be excited about claiming their part in God's Promised Land.
However, in Chapter 32, of the book of Numbers, we find the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh (vs. 33) disenchanted with the idea of leaving their comfortable surroundings in order to claim their share. You see, they had already settled down on the east side of the Jordon River and were very content with what they had.
Do you know that in a very similar way, it is easy for us to settle down in a comfort zone and miss what God has for us? We look around, we are distracted, and before you know it, we are camped out on the wrong side of the river.
This morning, I want us to see three things about these Israelites, who made the decision to live on the east side of Jordon:
I. They Were Distracted
II. They Were Disinterested
III. They Were Disobedient
I. THEY WERE DISTRACTED
A. They Followed Their Desire
1. In (vs. 1), it says, "...and they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle." In other words, this was a very fertile area for grazing their cattle. It was also a beautiful placed to raise their children and care for their families. What else could they possibly need?
a. Let me say, desire is a good thing, so long as we desire the things of God; but when we let our desires get in the way of what God wants for us, then we always become the losers.
ILLUS: Richard DeHann, of the Radio Bible Class, make ...
Dan Rodgers
Numbers 32:1-7, 16-25, 33
October 14, 2007
INTRODUCTION: In this story, Israel was about to cross over the Jordon River to the Promised Land. It is referred to as the Promised Land because it is the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob, of course, had 12 sons. These are the 12 sons of Jacob or Israel.
The Lord described this land as a land "flowing with milk and honey." Certainly, you would think every tribe would be excited about claiming their part in God's Promised Land.
However, in Chapter 32, of the book of Numbers, we find the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh (vs. 33) disenchanted with the idea of leaving their comfortable surroundings in order to claim their share. You see, they had already settled down on the east side of the Jordon River and were very content with what they had.
Do you know that in a very similar way, it is easy for us to settle down in a comfort zone and miss what God has for us? We look around, we are distracted, and before you know it, we are camped out on the wrong side of the river.
This morning, I want us to see three things about these Israelites, who made the decision to live on the east side of Jordon:
I. They Were Distracted
II. They Were Disinterested
III. They Were Disobedient
I. THEY WERE DISTRACTED
A. They Followed Their Desire
1. In (vs. 1), it says, "...and they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle." In other words, this was a very fertile area for grazing their cattle. It was also a beautiful placed to raise their children and care for their families. What else could they possibly need?
a. Let me say, desire is a good thing, so long as we desire the things of God; but when we let our desires get in the way of what God wants for us, then we always become the losers.
ILLUS: Richard DeHann, of the Radio Bible Class, make ...
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