Jumping to Conclusions

Read Numbers 32:1–34:29

1. The tribes of Reuben and Gad owned vast numbers of livestock. So when they saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were ideally suited for their flocks and herds,
2. they came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the other leaders of the community. They said, . . .
4. “The Lord has conquered this whole area for the community of Israel, and it is ideally suited for all our livestock.
5. If we have found favor with you, please let us have this land as our property instead of giving us land across the Jordan River.”
6. “Do you intend to stay here while your brothers go across and do all the fighting?” Moses asked the men of Gad and Reuben.
7. “Why do you want to discourage the rest of the people of Israel from going across to the land the Lord has given them?” Numbers 32:1-2, 4-7

How easy it is to assume we know what others are thinking. We easily come up with our own reasons for why people do this or that. When we feel unsure about others’ motives, we tend to assume the worst of them.

The Israelites are no different. Having finally entered the land of God’s promise—the part that lies east of the Jordan River—a misunderstanding arises between Moses and three of the tribes of Israel. That leads to the age-old squabble over fairness. As you read, look for a lesson about communication and the problem with making wrong assumptions.

Other gems lie hidden in these chapters: a technique for avoiding past mistakes, and knowing when to be harsh.

Three tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) told Moses that they wanted to live on the land that was east of the Jordan River (Numbers 32:1-5). This land had already been conquered; the hard work had been done by all of the tribes together. When Moses heard the request of the three tribes, he immediately assumed that they had selfish motives and were trying to avoid helping the others fight for the land across the river (32:6-15). Moses jumped to the wrong conclusion. These tribes fully intended to continue the fight and promised to keep working with the others until everyone’s land was conquered (32:16-19).

Don’t automatically assume that others have wrong motives, even if their plans sound suspicious. With any person, take time to let the facts surface before making up your mind.