Joshua 21:43-22:9

The Israelites now possessed the land that God promised them. They had conquered the people of the land. However, they were somewhat short of what God wanted them to do in conquering the people of the land. Sometimes when God asks us to do something we are a little short of His intended purposes. The next thing that is done is that the people of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh are sent back home on the other side of the Jordan. The other side of Jordan was what they have asked for but we must remember it was what they requested that was outside of what is called the promised land. There are times that a present advantage may keep us from God's eternal best. To them at the time this seemed best. We may find their insecurity in the next verses. The reason they built an altar on the banks of Jordan was that they were not sure of the position they had chosen. Now what does that say to me about what I choose in this world? I must say it will make a difference whether I live for this world or Heaven. It will make all the difference in the world.