And they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan.” (Numbers 32:5, ESV)
Often when a church or group of people is on mission an individual or faction will not desire to continue in the mission. Here God had a mission for Israel to take Canaan. The tribes of Gad and Reuben wanted to occupy the land east of the Jordan instead. This alarmed Moses because it had a striking resemblance to the previous attempt to enter the land when Israel rebelled against the will of God some 40 years earlier (Numbers 14). However, this situation was quite different in several ways.
First, rather than outright rebellion in refusing to enter the land Gad and Reuben went to Moses and express their desire. Their statement does not have the flavor of an ultimatum or demand. It has the flavor of a request. The one making a request accepts the decision of the grantor. This implies submission and submission is not rebellion.
Second, submitting a request opens the opportunity for an explanation and dialogue. Here Moses passionately explains the ramifications of their desires (v6-15). He explained the possible danger to the nation of Israel if they do not continue with them in the conquest. Based upon this explanation Gad and Reuben decide to engage in the contest of Canaan with the other tribes (v16-17). Then after all of Israel had gained their inheritance in the land, they would they return to their families east of the Jordan (v18-19).
The result of Moses’ interaction of with Gad and Reuben was that the conquest of Canaan proceeded according to the purposes of God. Moses was satisfied with Gad and Ruben joining the rest of the tribes in the conquest of the land.
This should be a pattern for those individuals and factions who disagree with the leadership of churches today. Very often those who disagree handle their disagreements in rebellious ways. They start factions by covertly complaining about the direction of the church. This is divisive and ultimately weakens the church. Often, such factions just do what they want even if it is contrary or opposes the direction of the church. This also weakens the church.
On the other hand, the submissive and non-rebellious person will enter a dialogue with the leadership of the church with a heart focused on the purposes of God. As in the case of Gad and Reuben, submissive people keep in mind the sovereign program of the Lord and ensure that they join that program in a way that ensures the success of the entire body.
Renewing the Heart 