16 And they drew near to him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones; 17 but we ourselves will go with diligence armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones shall dwell in the strong cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited each one his inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit with them on yonder side the Jordan, and further, because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side the Jordan eastward. 20 And Moses said to them, If ye do this thing, if ye arm yourselves before Jehovah for war, 21 and all of you that are armed go over the Jordan before Jehovah, until he have dispossessed his enemies from before him, 22 and the land is subdued before Jehovah, and afterwards ye return, ye shall be guiltless toward Jehovah and toward Israel, and this land shall be your possession before Jehovah. 23 But if ye do not do so, behold, ye have sinned against Jehovah, and be sure your sin will find you out. 24 Build yourselves cities for your little ones, and folds for your flocks, and do that which has gone out of your mouth. 25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commands. 26 Our little ones, our wives, our cattle, and all our beasts shall be there in the cities of Gilead; 27 but thy servants will pass over, every one armed for war, before Jehovah to battle, as my lord says.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 32:16-27
Commentary on Numbers 32:16-27
(Read Numbers 32:16-27)
Here is the good effect of plain dealing. Moses, by showing their sin, and the danger of it, brought them to their duty, without murmuring or disputing. All men ought to consider the interests of others as well as their own; the law of love requires us to labour, venture, or suffer for each other as there may be occasion. They propose that their men of war should go ready armed before the children of Israel into the land of Canaan, and that they should not return till the conquest of Canaan was ended. Moses grants their request, but he warns them of the danger of breaking their word. If you fail, you sin against the Lord, and not against your brethren only; God will certainly reckon with you for it. Be sure your sin will find you out. Sin will surely find out the sinner sooner or later. It concerns us now to find our sins out, that we may repent of them, and forsake them, lest they find us out to our ruin.