King James Daily Bible Study: Avoiding The Con
Date: Sunday February 27, 2011
Chapters: Numbers 32-33
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-27
Details of Today's Reading: The tribes of Reuben and Gad request an inheritance on the east of Jordan instead of going into the promised land, the Israelites journey from camp to camp, and orders are given by God to drive the Canaanites out of the land.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
Have you ever fallen for a con, got tricked by someone who thought was trustworthy? I have known some real charmers in my lifetime, it is usually after they conned you several times that you realize how deceitful they are and wonder if they ever told the truth about anything. You know, we may get conned, but no one can con God. He knows all, sees all, and goes directly to the heart of every person to see whether or not they are sincere in fulfilling the commitment they made with Him. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” - Psalm 24:3-5.

When the tribes of Reuben and Gad saw the beautiful land before them and how much there was of it, having possessed much cattle, they did not want to dwell in the land that God promised them, instead they asked if they could remain there.

“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;..And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.” - Numbers 32:1,16-18.

Beyond that beautiful land was a land full of idolatry and corruption, but they were blind to the dangers of it because all they saw was the surface. While the promised land had much of the same, the one thing that this land did not have was God's presence. The Reubenites and Gadites are examples of people who know God, are probably saved, but God rarely plays a role in their lives. The problem with that is that one day when they need God the most He is not going to be there to comfort and help them because they never acknowledged Him. “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” - Hosea 5:15. Until we acknowledge God, we will not know His presence.

After Moses questioned them he came up with a compromise that would allow the Reubenites, Gadites, and half of the tribe of Manasseh to possess the land, they needed to help the other tribes get into the promised land. First of all, God hates compromise, second of all, neither Moses nor the tribes sought guidance from God in this matter. However, God allowed Moses to instruct them on the matter.

“And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” - Numbers 32:20-23.

Upon this declaration Moses frees them from all guilt, and promises them the desired land for a possession, on condition that they fulfill their promise, but he reminds them again of the sin that they will commit, and will have to atone for, if their promise is not fulfilled. We can not hide from our sins, even the most cleaver con can not con God. “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” - I Corinthians 3:17-19.

The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, they were close to the promised land. God gave them instructions before they were to cross over the Jordan.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them. ” - Numbers 33:50-56.

God gave them all a stern warning, once they crossed over the Jordan, they were about to enter a land full of temptation and corruption. They were ordered to drive out all of the people and everything that would give them cause to sin. If they did not they would face constant affliction and suffering, not only by them, but by God Himself. God instructs all His people to drive out anyone and anything that would cause them to sin. Why? No matter how strong we are or how close we are to God, if the temptation remains eventually one will give into it.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?..Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” - II Corinthians 6:14,17,18.

Sometimes no matter how much we try to avoid the con, we fall for something, simply because we try to trust and see the good in everyone. I do not know how many times I or my family has allowed someone to stay at our house only to find corruption in it. It is important that as Christians we do all we can to avoid these situations, set some boundaries, be cordial, but always on guard. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - I Thessalonians 5:14-23.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the promised land (33:50-54). “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” - John 10:10.

Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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