From Numbers 32-34:
1. I wonder if the Reubenites and Gadites really intended to go with the rest of the Israelites over the Jordan, or if it was just in response to Moses condemning their actions and reminding them of what happened to the generation before them. And after making this choice, they must have realized that they were isolating themselves from the rest of the nation, making them more vulnerable to attack and occupation by any surrounding hostile nations. Sometimes it is best to wait for the Lord's timing. What may seem good to do at the time may end up being the wrong choice because God has other plans in the future that are better.
2. Could this be the reason? - I also wonder if part of the reason that the Israelites did not run all of the nations out of Canaan was because they had plenty of room already. After all, two tribes were living on the other side of the Jordan. And the Israelites were commanded to drive out all the inhabitants in Numbers 33:55.
3. It is interesting that it says in Numbers 33:4 that the Lord brought judgment on (the Egyptians') gods. In reality, he obviously was not punishing the inanimate objects - idols - that they considered gods, but rather the Egyptians for worshiping these false gods.
4. I wonder why, in the recording of the Israelite journey by stages, it specifically calls out the fact that the Canaanite king of Arad heard that the Israelites were coming. What was the point of mentioning this?
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