16 Then they came near to him and said , "We will build here sheepfolds e for our livestock and cities for our little ones ; 17 but we ourselves will be armed ready to go before the sons of Israel , until e e we have brought them to their place , while our little ones live in the fortified cities because e of the inhabitants of the land . 18 " We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance . 19 "For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond , because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east ." 20 So Moses said to them, "If you will do this , if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for the war , 21 and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven His enemies out from before Him, 22 and the land is subdued before the Lord , then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the Lord and toward Israel , and this land shall be yours for a possession before the Lord . 23 "But if you will not do so , behold , you have sinned against the Lord , and be sure your sin will find you out. 24 "Build yourselves cities for your little ones , and sheepfolds for your sheep , and do what you have promised e e ." 25 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben spoke to Moses , saying , "Your servants will do just as my lord commands . 26 " Our little ones , our wives , our livestock and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead ; 27 while your servants , everyone who is armed for war , will cross over in the presence of the Lord to battle , just 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.