A grueling season of wandering in the desert was almost over. The Israelites could actually see Canaan. For 40+ years they had heard of the Promised Land, and the time to take it was now. God was going to give the 12 tribes a mighty inheritance and fulfill his promise. Then something strange happened: Two tribes wanted out.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad (and eventually the half tribe of Manasseh) approached Moses asking, “If we have found favor with you, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Don’t make us cross the Jordan.” (Num 32). These tribes wanted to take their people and their livestock and settle just outside Canaan.
Moses is livid. He righteously erupts on them like:
Seriously? We’ve come all this way from Egypt, slept in tents, survived on mana, hauled the tabernacle around, battled pagan nations, and survived the desert and you want to settle here?!
The sea split in half for you.
The law was carved on tablets for you.
The lamb’s blood covered your doorposts.
It was supposed to accomplish more than this. The plan was always Canaan. And you want to settle just outside.
God gave the promise of Canaan to the Israelites. How much more are we — daughters covered by Christ’s blood– entrusted with the greater promise of an an eternal kingdom.
Still we face the temptation to settle. It’s tempting to live a moderately spiritual life without abandoning everything to Christ. It’s tempting to settle with a faith that’s only political or Sunday-morning deep. It’s tempting to settle for building an earthly kingdom when Jesus tells me to build a spiritual one. It’s tempting to draw that line that tells Jesus, I’ll go with you to this point — no further.
It’s tempting to settle because the lies are crafty. Here are 3 reasons we settle just short.
- We think it’s safer to settle.
The mediocre Christian life comes with an attractive sticker price and a lifetime of hidden costs. Yes it’s expensive to follow Jesus — it costs your life. But in all the dying, we find life. In all the loss, we find gain. ‘Settling’ in the Christian life promises to protect your idols and your life, but you’ll only end up losing both.
. - Our blessings become idols.
Do you know what made the three tribes settle just outside Canaan? Their blessings! Numbers 32:1 says, “The Reubenites and Gadites had a very large number of livestock. When they surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, they saw that the region was a good one for livestock.” God blessed these tribes greatly, but those blessings ended up making them settle. Often it’s our blessings, not our trials, that keep us from living fully for Christ. It’s great to enjoy our blessings, but they can become chains. When blessings become idols, they make us lethargic, comfortable Christians that keep us from kingdom living. Every blessing he gives must propel us forward on mission for Christ.
. - We think we don’t deserve Canaan.
The enemy has convinced so many women they just aren’t worthy to walk in confidence with Jesus. Christ made us worthy. If you belong to Christ, his affection applies to you and so does his leading. He has given you unique gifts to build up his body. Maybe you won’t surrender fully to Jesus because you don’t think the promises apply to you. They do. He did not save us to settle, but to be kingdom-advancing women in big and hidden ways. Look back to the cross to know your worth. Then get up and follow the risen Lord.
Unlike the tribes of Reuben and Gad, God has not purchased us for an external kingdom but a heavenly one. His law is written on our hearts and our very natures are changed. Settling isn’t an option in any area of our lives because he loves us too much. We belong to him and he is for us. Let’s not settle but advance his kingdom until he returns.