A Man of His Word....

Call me “Old Fashion”, but I believe when a man gives His Word about something, it’s a binding agreement. When a man makes a promise, it’s a binding oath between whomever he made the promise to. It’s should be counted on to happen by the recipient of his word. God honors this principle. Here in Numbers chapter 32 we find 3 tribes of Israel making a promise to Moses and the rest of Israel to continue to fight for the “Promised Land” even though they want to live in the land East of the Jordan River. Moses was furious that they wanted the land outside of the land Promised by God. He thought since they would live there, they wouldn’t help the Israelites fight to conquer the land West of the Jordan River. When the 3 tribes promised to continue to fight, Moses conceded but gave them a stern warning; if they didn’t make due with their promise to fight, God would punish them for their sin of breaking a promise. Our word is everything. God will hold us accountable. If we don’t take our word seriously, how can we demand anything from anyone else. It’s not a double-standard. You are either a man of your word, or your not. If you’re not, don’t expect to hold anyone to their word. If you do, it’s called hypocrisy. And you know exactly how God feels about that.

20 Then Moses said, “If you keep your word and arm yourselves for the Lord’s battles, 21 and if your troops cross the Jordan and keep fighting until the Lord has driven out his enemies, 22 then you may return when the Lord has conquered the land. You will have fulfilled your duty to the Lord and to the rest of the people of Israel. And the land on the east side of the Jordan will be your property from the Lord. 23 But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. 24 Go ahead and build towns for your families and pens for your flocks, but do everything you have promised.” Numbers 32:20-24