Numbers 32:1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;
In Numbers 32:1, we read about the tribes of Reuben and Gad noticing that the land they were in was excellent for cattle. This moment in the Bible highlights an important decision point, not just for them, but as a lesson for all of us.
The backstory to this situation begins as the Israelites, led by Moses, were on their journey to the Promised Land. They had left Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and were now on the brink of entering the land God had promised them. But just before they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manassa saw that the land on the east side of Jordan was perfect for grazing cattle.
At first glance, their desire seems practical. After all, they had large herds and needed good land to support them. However, this land, while good for cattle, was not the land God had promised to them. The Promised Land lay on the other side of the Jordan River. By choosing to settle for the good grazing land rather than continuing to the land God had promised, these tribes prioritized their immediate, worldly needs over God’s plan for them.
This choice serves as a powerful example of how we, too, might miss out on God’s will for our lives by prioritizing our desires over His. God’s plans for us can often lead us out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. Trusting in His guidance means believing that what He has in store for us is far better than anything we could choose for ourselves, even when it doesn’t seem that way at first sight.
To illustrate the cost of missing out on God’s will, consider the story of the maniac of Gadara, found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 5, verses 1-20. The maniac of Gadara lived in the region where the tribes of Reuben and Gad decided to settle. He was possessed by a legion of demons, living among the tombs, and no one could bind him, not even with chains. This man’s life represents the extreme consequences of being separated from God’s presence and blessings. His healing only came when Jesus crossed the Jordan, came into his territory, and set him free from his bondage.
The connection between the decision of the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the maniac of Gadara might seem a bit indirect at first. However, it highlights a deeper truth about the consequences of settling for what seems good in the moment rather than following God’s plan. The tribes chose land that was good for cattle, prioritizing their wealth and comfort. This region, though rich in resources, was outside the boundaries of the Promised Land and, symbolically, a step away from God’s direct blessing and presence.
Years later, in the same region, we see a man suffering tremendously, isolated from his community and living in torment. His story serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual desolation that can come from distancing ourselves from God’s will. When Jesus arrived, He not only healed the man but also demonstrated that God’s grace and power can redeem any situation, no matter how far we’ve strayed from His plans for us.
The story of the maniac of Gadara ends with a beautiful picture of redemption. After Jesus healed him, the man wanted to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. However, Jesus had a different plan for him. He told the man to go home to his friends and tell them how much the Lord had done for him and how He had had mercy on him. The man obeyed, going throughout the Decapolis (which means ten cities) spreading the news of his transformation. This part of the story underscores a crucial lesson: even when we’ve made choices that led us away from God, His grace can still reach us, heal us, and use our stories to spread hope and faith to others.
The maniac of Gadara, once bound and isolated, became a messenger of hope. His transformation illustrates that no one is too far gone for God’s grace. Similarly, the choice of the tribes of Reuben and Gad to settle for the land good for cattle, though it seemed practical, serves as a warning against prioritizing our immediate desires or comfort over God’s promises and plans. It reminds us that true fulfillment and blessing are found in following God, even when it leads us into the unknown or requires sacrifice.
The overarching message from these stories encourages us not to settle for what the world offers as good or sufficient but to pursue God’s best for our lives. When faced with decisions, big or small, let’s remember the importance of seeking God’s will above our own. Like the healed man of Gadara, may our lives testify to the incredible things God can do when we place our trust in Him, moving beyond our comfort zones into the fullness of His plans for us.
