Question 1

Why did the tribes of Reuben and Gad want land east of the Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Reuben and Gad had a very large number of cattle, so when they saw the lands of Jazer and Gilead, they noticed it was “a place for cattle.” The land was already conquered and was rich pasture, so it looked perfect for their herds. Because of this, they asked Moses to let them have that territory as their inheritance instead of crossing the Jordan. Their request shows how they were drawn to what seemed useful and comfortable right in front of them, and it raised the question of whether they were putting their own gain before God’s plan and their brothers’ needs.

Question 2

Why was Moses upset with Reuben and Gad’s request?

Accepted Answer

Moses heard their request as if they wanted to sit safely while the other tribes went to war. He asked, “Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?” and reminded them of their fathers who discouraged Israel at the valley of Eshcol. That unbelief led to God’s anger and forty years in the wilderness. Moses feared this new request would again weaken the people’s courage and show lack of trust in God’s promise. So he rebuked them strongly and warned that turning away would bring harm on the whole nation, not just on them.

Question 3

What does the phrase "be sure your sin will find you out" mean here?

Accepted Answer

When Moses says, “be sure your sin will find you out,” he is warning Reuben and Gad that if they fail to keep their promise, they cannot hide it from God. Their sin would catch up with them and bring its own judgment. The point is not that God is waiting to trap them, but that disobedience has real consequences. They had given their word before the Lord and Israel to go armed into battle. If they chose comfort and stayed back, their broken promise would not stay secret, and they would answer to God for it.

Question 4

How did Reuben and Gad answer Moses’ warning?

Accepted Answer

After hearing Moses’ warning, the men of Reuben and Gad came nearer and explained more clearly. They said they would build sheepfolds and cities to protect their families east of the Jordan, but they themselves would go “ready armed” before Israel. They promised not to return home until every Israelite had received his inheritance in Canaan. They accepted Moses’ conditions, agreed to cross over armed “before the Lord,” and repeated that they would do exactly as he had said. Their answer shows a shift from appearing selfish to embracing their duty to fight alongside their brothers.

Question 5

What agreement did Moses make with Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh?

Accepted Answer

Moses agreed that Reuben, Gad, and later half of Manasseh could have the land of Gilead and the kingdoms of Sihon and Og as their possession, but only on clear terms. Every fighting man had to cross the Jordan armed and go “before the Lord” until the land of Canaan was subdued and God’s enemies driven out. If they did this, they would be “guiltless before the Lord, and before Israel,” and the eastern land would be theirs. If they refused, they would be sinning against the Lord and would have to receive an inheritance among the other tribes in Canaan instead.

Question 6

What does this passage show about unity and responsibility among God’s people?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God’s people are meant to stand together, not look only to their own comfort. Reuben and Gad first seem to choose an easy life while others fight, which would discourage the rest of Israel. Moses insists that no group can separate from the common work and still be faithful. The tribes are allowed to have the land that suits their cattle, but only if they put the shared mission first and help their brothers enter their inheritance. It teaches that personal plans are fine only when they do not pull us away from caring for the wider community.

Question 7

What was the historical background to Moses’ warning about their fathers?

Accepted Answer

Moses points back to the time when spies were sent from Kadesh-barnea to look at the land. Some of them brought back a fearful report, which “discouraged the heart of the children of Israel” from entering the land God had promised. Because of that unbelief, God became angry, swore that no man from that generation twenty years and older would see the promised land, and made Israel wander forty years until that generation died. By saying, “Ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead,” Moses warns Reuben and Gad not to repeat that pattern of doubt and discouragement.

Question 8

How can this passage guide personal choices about comfort and obedience?

Accepted Answer

This passage invites you to ask whether your choices are shaped mainly by comfort or by faithfulness. Reuben and Gad saw good land and thought first of their cattle. At first, that looked like putting their own ease above God’s calling and their brothers’ battles. Only when they pledged to go in front, armed, and stay until everyone had their inheritance did their request become right. In the same way, it encourages you to weigh your plans against God’s purposes and the good of others, and to keep your promises even when obedience is hard or delayed.

Question 9

What does this chapter teach about God’s character and promises?

Accepted Answer

The chapter shows that God is both patient and firm. He does not forget His promise of land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He brings Israel to the border again after a whole unbelieving generation dies in the wilderness. At the same time, He does not overlook doubt and selfishness that turn people from His way. Moses’ warning shows that God’s anger against unbelief is real, but so is His willingness to work with human weakness when there is repentance and renewed obedience. God’s plan goes on, yet His people are called to trust and obey Him together.

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;

The Tribes East of the Jordan

The Tribes East of the Jordan

metadata.crossReferences

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;

share.title

share.allVerses

share.verseWithContext

share.currentVerse

The Tribes East of the Jordan

The Tribes East of the Jordan

metadata.crossReferences