V.1-5 Some of the people from three of the tribes didn’t want to go across the Jordan River. They looked at the good pasture land on the wilderness side of the river. It seemed a good place to stay. So they told Moses that they didn’t want to go across the Jordan river. What is this like in our Christian life? Something like this — the River Jordan is a picture of our death with Christ on the cross. Romans 6:3-113Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:3‑11) and Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) tell us this. We are citizens of heaven, not of earth. (Read Col. 3:1-31If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1‑3)). To enjoy our heavenly blessings (Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)) now, we need to realize we have died with Christ to sin and the world, and are alive with Him now in our heavenly life. If we look around and say “well this isn’t too bad a place, I’ll just enjoy it,” we would be like these people in our chapter. Now, take a minute to read Joshua 14:1-21And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. 2By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe. (Joshua 14:1‑2) to see what they lost.
V.6-15 Moses was very displeased about this. His eyes were set on the land God had promised to give the people.
V.16-19 Those who had said they didn’t want to go across the river, promise that they will go and help the rest of their brethren take the land, and afterward return.
V.20-42 Moses accepts this. When we are determined to have our own way, God sometimes allows it. Later we find out the troubles that come with it. If we were to follow the history of these two and a half tribes, we would find that they were the first ones to be carried away into captivity when the enemy came against them (1 Chron. 5:25-26). May we not be worldly-minded believers.