"Bring us not over Jordan"

Numbers 32:1-5 (KJV)
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; [2] The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, [3] Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, [4] Even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: [5] Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.

Children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle. Scriptures do not lie or exaggerate the truth, so when it says these tribes had a 'very great' multitude of cattle, we can be sure that it was a lot. These two tribes were greatly blessed by God with cattle. But instead of a spirit of thanksgiving and increased devotion to God, there came upon them a spirit of anxiety, self-preservation and love of the world due to their abudance. Prosperity likewise tempts us to settle down on this side of the Jordan. Abundance of riches blurs our vision for the eternal hope that God gives. See how these two tribes preferred the safety of their cattle over God's promised land. Possessions make us prefer the wilderness rather than the land that flows with milk and honey. It makes us to choose this present, passing, ready-to-be-perished world rather than the new heavens and the earth. The reason why it is difficult for a rich man to enter into heaven is primarily because they don't want to go there, as the two tribes cry out in verse five, 'bring us not over Jordan'. 'Bring us not to Heaven!' is the prayer of the rich man. Why do they think in this way? Their paradise is where their treasure is. To them heaven is not spending eternity in the presence of God. Their thought is 'We are in heaven now, why do I want to go to heaven?' How much have they exchanged the glory of God for things that perish! Such people have never read or understood this promise of God:
1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle. See the reasoning that drove the two tribes to refuse an inheritance in the promised land. The land was a land very suitable to cattle, well watered, full of grass. And since they had many cattle, they thought it was a perfect match. But what they were actually saying was that they were willing to live their lives for cattle. They were willing to be slaves for their cattle. They realized not that God had prepared Canaan as land for them, and that God may be Shepherd over them, that He may give them their food in due season. They were willing to change and adapt their lives for their possessions, but they were not willing to live for God and be servants to Him. This is the trouble with those who have abundance in riches. Their possessions become their god, and they are willing to offer up their lives for them, and they forsake Christ and God's kingdom that they may preserve what they have. God has no place in their hearts, because their hearts are full of their love for riches. They trust in their wealth, as though it is what is sustaining them, not realizing that it is God who had given them their wealth. They become thus slaves of wealth, serving it and living by how it dictates them. How then would such people gain an entrance into the kingdom of heaven? They are idolators. David and Paul warn us:
Psalm 62:10 (KJV)
if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (KJV)
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; [19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Or how about the words of Jesus Christ that burns like fire upon those with the hearts like Reuben and Gad:
Revelation 3:17-18 (KJV)
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Let us be warned of covetousness, for as our Lord has said, our lives do not consist of the abundance of the things we possess. For what does it profit a man, if a man gains the whole world, but loses his own soul? Christ must be our possession and riches.

If we have found grace in thine sight. And see what manner these tribes presented their request. They came to Moses and Eleazar and to all the princes. And they ask for grace. How many among the church ask for God's grace to be upon them for their worldly gain and comfort. They ask amiss, according to James:
James 4:3 (KJV)
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
God's grace cannot be used for our lusts, nor for our interests in the world. It is a great offense to God and His Son, who shed His blood just so that God may be able to forgive our sins. Jesus died on the cross for us so that we would stop living for our lusts. He died so that we would be dead to our lusts. Shall Christ be a minister of our sins? God forbid.

God's grace is for our guilt. It is what saved us from an eternity in hell. It is what made possible for God to show pardon to lawbreakers, because Christ has paid the penalty. Then to use this amazing grace to ask for things of the world - it is great sin. God gives us all things for us to enjoy, and God's grace is abundant to provide the things we need, but we ought to be satisfied with simply the fact that God has saved us. We must be able to say that Jesus Christ's grace is sufficient. It must be enough for us. The cross must be enough for us. These two tribes realized not what grace they already had. Let's not ask for more grace, unless it is for God's glory. For God when gives grace he expects expects glory from it:
Ephesians 1:5-6 (KJV)
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Let us not be like these two tribes. Would it have mattered so much if they had lost some cattle in order that they may have a portion beyond Jordan? Surely we all must forsake everything we have in order that we may fit into the narrow path that leads to life. Blessed were the smaller tribes who had the least possessions, because for this reason they would have looked forward more to Canaan. Are we looking forward to Canaan? Or are our eyes upon our cattle that perishes? God can sweep everything we have away like He did to Job. But Job had the hope of eternal life and resurrection:
Job 19:26-27 (KJV)
And though after my skin worms destroy this body , yet in my flesh shall I see God: [27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
This confession is coming from a man who had more than these two tribes combined. But though Satan swept all away, he could not take God away from him. And we see the latter end of Job, how he was blessed because though he lost all, he had his God. Let our cry be 'Bring us over Jordan, no matter what we must lose', for we know that our God is there. We know that there is something better for us there than here. Let us hold fast to this hope which saves us. Amen.