I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Numbers 32-33.

    The members of the tribes of Reuben and Gad wished to settle in the land the people of Israel had conquered east of the Jordan River. Moses assumed that their reason was because they were afraid to face the people then living in the land of Canaan in battle. However, they made clear that they were perfectly willing to go to battle in the land of Canaan along with the other Israelites, but that they did not wish to migrate across the river. Moses was guilty of jumping to conclusions. It is worth noting that the Reubenites and the Gadites did not get offended when Moses did this. They merely corrected Moses’ misunderstanding. They did not even get offended by Moses repeating that they would be in the wrong if they did not help their fellow Israelites conquer the land of Canaan.
    There are important lessons here for us for dealing with situations where misunderstandings occur. When our motives are misunderstood, we should calmly explain what our true thinking is. On the other side, when someone comes to us telling us that we have misunderstood them, we should take them at their word. In addition, both sides were willing to restate what is was to which they had agreed. Finally, Moses explained the agreement he had reached with the two tribes to a third party in front of them. This final step ensures that the everyone is on the same page about what has been agreed.