THEY CRIED TO GOD IN THE BATTLE

Attention is now focused upon the family of Reuben. He was the eldest son of Jacob and Leah. The scriptures generally present him in a favourable manner, but he was never able to escape the consequences of his sinful association with Bilhah, Gen. 35. 22. He lost his birthright through this and the leading position of the tribe was taken over by Judah. He behaved nobly over his brother Joseph and his father spoke favourably of him just before he (Jacob) died, but added, ‘unstable as water, thou shalt not excel’, Gen. 49. 4.

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh were herdsmen and asked to be allowed to settle on the border of the land, in Gilead east of the Jordan, as it was a ‘place for cattle’, Num. 32. 1. Moses feared this would discourage other tribes from fully entering the land; he remembered the spy representing Reuben had brought back an unfavourable report. They were allowed to stay as long as they assisted in the battle, vv. 6-33.

The passage before us must be viewed in this context. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh had tremendous potential for God, with a skilled army of 44, 760 soldiers when they fought against the Hagarites, 1 Chr. 5. 18, 19. They won a great victory that day. This was not attributed to their skill but rather to their trust in the Lord; ‘they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them, because they put their trust in him’, v. 20. What potential for God! How great could be their achievements for the Lord! It was, however, not to be so because constancy and faithfulness in the things of the Lord were lacking. Jacob’s statement concerning Reuben is shown to be true of the tribe and its associates - ‘unstable as water’. It is significant that the last statement recorded of the tribes is ‘they transgressed and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land’, v. 25. God caused the Assyrian king to carry them away, v. 26.

How important are the solemn lessons brought before us by these verses: tremendous potential, awareness of the power of prayer at a time of extreme need, but finally ending in disaster because of unfaithfulness.

The scriptures assert, ‘the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’, Jas. 5. 16.