And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
Numbers 32:34 belongs to the account of the inheritance of the two and a half tribes, concerning their settlement east of the Jordan. Within that settlement the verse names towns built by the children of Gad as part of their portion.
The building took place because two tribes asked to remain on the east side of the Jordan instead of crossing over to possess the promised land. They treated that eastern land as good enough for them. The setting was a time when Israel was again ready to go forward. Success then depended on united effort in one mighty forward march.
To settle on the east side signifies sitting still while fellow believers go to war. It signifies discouraging the heart of the children of Israel. It signifies refusing to volunteer for new fields.
Such turning away leaves God's people in the wilderness and destroys the people. It can keep the world waiting many more years and delay Christ's coming. God waits for His people as a body, and vigilance by a few men cannot finish the work.
Numbers 32:34 belongs to the account of the inheritance of the two and a half tribes, concerning their settlement east of the Jordan. Within that settlement the verse names towns built by the children of Gad as part of their portion.
The building took place because two tribes asked to remain on the east side of the Jordan instead of crossing over to possess the promised land. They treated that eastern land as good enough for them. The setting was a time when Israel was again ready to go forward. Success then depended on united effort in one mighty forward march.
To settle on the east side signifies sitting still while fellow believers go to war. It signifies discouraging the heart of the children of Israel. It signifies refusing to volunteer for new fields.
Such turning away leaves God's people in the wilderness and destroys the people. It can keep the world waiting many more years and delay Christ's coming. God waits for His people as a body, and vigilance by a few men cannot finish the work.