The enemies at the gate.

Today's reading is from Numbers 31 & 32

As the children of Israel get closer to the land, a number of things take place while still outside of their territory.
First they face a battle with the Midianites. Midian has long been an enemy to Israel. This Canaanite group had opposed Israel from their original attempts to move towards the land 40 years before. It was one of the groups that God had spoken Abraham about some 400+ years before indicating that there religious practices were sickening. The conquest of the Midianites was just the first of many tribal/territorial battles to take place,

The final section had to do with the request of 2&1/2 tribes seeking territory on the east side of the Jordan. At first Moses is angry at their request, citing the same failure of their fathers 40 years before to go into the land. With their promise to arm their men and cross over Moses concedes the conquered land east of the Jordan to them.

This concession through time would end up being detrimental to them. Can't help but realize that God's provision for them to start with was really what was best for them.We're always better off in not adding to, or taking from God's word.

Peace

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