Here is a solemn warning against becoming a discourager of the brethren. “The Gadites and Reubenites,” in requesting lands suitable for their livestock, were asking that they be excused from crossing the Jordan with their brethren. The request was reasonable in the long term, but Moses did not take kindly to the suggestion that they settle down while their brethren go to war!” Discouragers put their personal interest before the purpose of God. It takes the kind of spiritual discernment which Moses had to see this attitude lurking behind their request. Discouragers tend to avoid the conflict involved in the service of God and are not likely to inspire others to give themselves wholeheartedly to the battle. Fundamentally discouragers are out of tune with the heart of God, for he is “the God of encouragement” (Rom. 15:5). To become a discourager is to “turn away from following him” (Num. 32:15). The plain fact is that to discourage his people is to be guilty of sin in his sight. “You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23) is a text often applied in very broad terms, but here it undoubtedly refers to the sin of discouraging God’s people. Beware, then, of being a discourager!
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 05:08:21 +0000
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