The Best

Sermon by Rabbi Ken Alpren Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. July 21, 2012 Numbers 32:1-2, ‘The descendants of Re'uven and the descendants of Gad had vast quantities of livestock. When they saw that the land of Ya'zer and the land of Gil'ad were good for livestock, 2 the descendants of Gad and of Re'uven came and spoke to Moshe, El'azar the cohen and the community leaders.’ They were influenced by beauty of the land and the fertility of the soil. They made the decision based upon the apparent image of how the land would serve them verses what the L-rd had for them. This is a case of choosing by sight rather than having faith. This same tendency was first demonstrated in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:6, ‘When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it had a pleasing appearance and that the tree was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her; and he ate.’ Their focus was on their livestock even before their own families. Numbers 32:4-5, ‘The country that ADONAI conquered before the community of Isra'el, is livestock country; and your servants have livestock. 5 If you regard us favorably," they went on, "let this land be given to your servants as their possession; and don't have us cross the Yarden."’ They requested to stay on the east side of the Yarden which angered Moshe. He compares their behavior to their ancestors who discouraged the Israelites from taking the Promised Land initially. Numbers 32:7-9, ‘Besides, why are you trying to discourage the people of Isra'el from crossing into the land ADONAI gave them? 8 This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-Barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up to the Eshkol Valley and saw the land, they disheartened the people of Isra'el, so that they wouldn't enter the land ADONAI had given them.’ They persisted in their argument with Moshe and rationalized away G-d’s will. Numbers 32:16-19, ‘But they came up to him and said, "Here we will build enclosures for our livestock and cities for our little ones, 17 but we ourselves will be armed and ready for action to march at the head of the people of Isra'el, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones will stay in the fortified cities here because of the people now living in the land. 18 However, we will not return to our own homes until every man in Isra'el has taken possession of his land for inheritance. 19 We will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Yarden, westward; because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Yarden, eastward."’ West of the Yarden was supposed to be jointly inherited by all twelve tribes, but they did not want to wait for that inheritance, they wanted their inheritance now. Moshe cautiously accepts their appeal but with a warning emphasizing they will ‘reap what they sow.’ Numbers 32:23, ‘But if you will not do this, then you have sinned against ADONAI, and you must understand that your sin will find you out.’ Is there a permissive will versus a perfect will of G-d? Romans 12:1-2, ‘I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical "Temple worship" for you. 2 In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the 'olam hazeh. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.’ Is there a ‘plan A’ which is G-d’s best, ‘plan B’ which is adequate or ‘plan C’ which is the worst? Do we let G-d choose for us or do we choose for G-d? Do I prematurely insist on my own will or am I willing to let G-d and trust in His timing? Psalms 47:4, ‘He chooses our heritage for us, the pride of Ya'akov, whom he loves.’ The pastures were greener east of the Yarden. Their choice based upon appearance symbolizes the choosing of material versus spiritual and riches over relationships and human performance over divine preeminence. When the decision was made to approach Moshe to take possession of the land east of the Yarden, whose interest were they looking out for? Were they not concerned with their own welfare versus the welfare of the community. Moshe conceded. Does G-d acquiesce to our plans? If we insist, will He compromise or even comply? Psalms 37:23-24, ‘ADONAI directs a person's steps, and he delights in his way. 24 He may stumble, but he won't fall headlong, for ADONAI holds him by the hand.’ Notice that even as ADONAI directs our steps, we may stumble! Although Moshe conceded, it was not what G-d really wanted for them and sometimes He acts upon our persistence similarly and allows us to have something we desire outside His perfect will even though it is not what He really wants for us. Consequently, the tribes of Re’uven, Gad and the half-tribe of M’nasheh were the first to be taken into captivity; they were influenced by the nations into idolatry. 1 Chronicles 5:26, ‘So the God of Isra'el stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Ashur and the spirit of Tilgat-Piln'eser king of Ashur; and he carried them away as captives - the Re'uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of M'nasheh - and brought them to Halach, Havor, Hara and to the Gozan River, where they are to this day.’ Galatians 6:7-8, ‘Don't delude yourselves: no one makes a fool of God! A person reaps what he sows. 8 Those who keep sowing in the field of their old nature, in order to meet its demands, will eventually reap ruin; but those who keep sowing in the field of the Spirit will reap from the Spirit everlasting life.’ Be careful about insisting on my own way with G-d! We don’t want to miss G-d’s best! Even so, He can turn our past for good and if we have blown it, He can turn it around. But we then must trust Him and wait for Him! Psalms 37:34, ‘Put your hope in ADONAI, keep to his way, and he will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.’ We want His best for us so let us put our hand in His and allow His heart to be poured in us! Further Reading: Philippians 2:4-5, 1 John 2:15-17, Isaiah 42:16, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 3:11, Judges 5:16-17