Monday, July 7, 2014
Numbers 32:1-6
We are nearing the end of the book of Numbers and of the Israelite’s journey to and conquering the promised land. In today’s passage we learn of a snag: the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh have accumulated cattle, and they have become skillful in looking after them. In our small six verse selection they come across as selfish and disobedient. But imagine how difficult it must have been living (not to mention wandering) in those times and in that climate. It was certainly a perilous and difficult existence in many ways.
I encourage you to read the entirety of chapter 32. What starts off as a blow-up turns into a compromise with Moses. Maybe this change wasn’t part of the original plan, but in the end Moses seems to respect the reality of the situation.
Like yesterday’s passage from Numbers, this is a story that relates to group dynamics. Moses’ and the Israelites’ flexibility and willingness to dialogue and compromise can speak to us in contemporary times.
- Matthew Kieswetter
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