This passage talks about how the Reubenites and Gadites told Moses that they wanted to stay in the lands of Jazer and Gilead after seeing how the lands were suitable for their livestock. They pleaded with Moses not to make them cross the Jordan into Canaan - the land flowing with milk and honey that God had promised.
Jo Bailey Wells wrote:
But they continue to prove faithful. Here they demonstrate that keeping God's commands does not preclude 'improvising' on them. They serve as a creative example to us for handling tradition. Being faithful does not always mean doing something "the way we've always done it". In some circumstances it may be more faithful to risk something new.
(Encounter with God, May 26 entry)
Weren't we taught time and time again never to compromise? Doesn't compromising kinda entail some lowering of standards? When we argue with God and propose our "creative improvisions", aren't we short-changing God and His perfect plans for us? But then again, Abraham argued with God didn't he? Does "negotiate" sound better?
This made me wonder, what exactly does "compromise" mean?
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:
| 1 a : settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions b : something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things 2 : a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial |  |
So when we compromise, it's a blend of God's perfect ways and our lowly human terms?
hmmmmm. I guess our God is a creative God (look at giraffes! the zebras! the differences in every person u meet!). We shouldn't box Him up and follow traditions blindly. But how do we know when a compromise is legitimate (if there can be a legitimate compromise in the first place)? How do we know we're not short-changing God?
It all goes back to having a close relationship with Him doesn't it?
No comments:
Post a Comment