Big Idea: We must avoid and resolve misunderstandings among God’s people.

Understanding the Text

Many dangers have been circumvented. God has thwarted Balak’s attempt to use Balaam to curse Israel (Num. 22–24). God’s punishment of idolatry and immorality is offset by Phinehas’s bold actions (Num. 25). Balaam and his Midianite allies who have deceived Israel are killed (Num. 31). Now Numbers 32 introduces another potential crisis. The tribes of Reuben and Gad announce their desire to settle in the Transjordan rather than in Canaan. Moses fears that this could discourage the rest of Israel from taking the land. But the crisis is averted when these tribes agree to go with their sibling tribes to conquer Canaan before settling in the Transjordan.

Historical and Cultural Background

A number…