God's Longsuffering and Our Diligence

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected;

but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which

Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

—Philppians 3:12—

Numbers 32 shows us that the tribes of Reuben and Gad were satisfied with not crossing the Jordan into the promised land. The essence of their attitude is revealed in verse 5 when they say, “Do not take us over the Jordan.” Moses’ reply sounds visceral—“Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?”

In our own assessment of things, it may not seem to be so bad that Reuben and Gad wanted to remain on the east of Jordan. Their argument is that they have a lot of livestock and the land they were already occupying, with the rest of Israel, was good for livestock (vv. 1–5). But, again, Moses sees their disposition as discouraging to the rest of Israel as they were poised to displace the Canaanites and possess the land as God was giving it to them (Num. 15:2; Deut. 7:1–2). And this, to me, seems to be the issue: God had promised Israel, including the tribes of Reuben and Gad, a possession in Canaan; and here they were saying that they’d rather have something else. They were happy with the shortcut.

As the rest of this plays out, the armies of Reuben and Gad pledge that they will help their brethren in the upcoming battles against the Canaanites. Moses sternly warns them, “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

One of the clear lessons we can take away from this is about God’s longsuffering. Here He wanted to bring them all into the promised land, a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Lev. 20:24). They were satisfied with the shortcut.

God has promised us a dwelling place in His house (cf. John 14:2–3; Heb. 11:13–16; Php. 3:20–21). And although we don’t know exactly what all this entails, or how we will experience it in its fulfillment, we know Him and therefore trust that He will do what He’s promised (cf. Heb. 6:13–20).

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2–3).

We need spiritual stamina. We don’t know how long this journey in life under the sun is going to be; we don’t know when the Lord will come again or when we will pass from this life, but we can be prepared (cf. 1 Pet. 1:6–9).

Preparation involves diligence. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:10–11).

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Heb. 6:11–12).

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith (2 Pet. 1:5).

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:10–11).

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation (2 Pet. 3:13–15).

Never give up! Be patient and trust in the Lord completely (James 5:7–12; Heb. 11:6). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).