Study Desk

The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a lot of livestock. When they saw how suitable the land of Jazer and Gilead was for cattle,

"This region which the Lord has helped the Israelites occupy—the towns of Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sibmah, Nebo, and Beon—is good land for livestock, and we have so much livestock.

If you people of Reuben and Gad refuse to follow him now, he will once again abandon all these people in the wilderness, and you will be responsible for their destruction."

They approached Moses and said, "First, allow us to build stone enclosures here for our sheep and fortified towns for our dependents.

But if you do not keep your promise, I warn you that you will be sinning against the Lord . Make no mistake about it; you will be punished for your sin.

So build your towns and the enclosures for your sheep, but do what you have promised!"

"If the men of Gad and Reuben cross the Jordan ready for battle at the Lord 's command and if with their help you are able to conquer the land, then give them the land of Gilead as their property.

Next was Rephidim, where there was no water for them to drink.

the following instructions for Israel: "When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

These cities will belong to the Levites, and they will live there. The pasture land will be for their cattle and all their other animals.

These will serve as cities of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners who are temporary or permanent residents. Anyone who kills someone accidentally can escape to one of them.

The dead person's nearest relative has the responsibility for putting the murderer to death. When he finds you, he is to kill you.

or by striking him with your fist, you are guilty of murder and are to be put to death. The dead person's nearest relative has the responsibility for putting the murderer to death. When he finds you, he is to kill you.

If you did this, you would defile the land where you are living. Murder defiles the land, and except by the death of the murderer there is no way to perform the ritual of purification for the land where someone has been murdered.

Moses said to the people, "While we were still at Mount Sinai, I told you, ‘The responsibility for leading you is too much for me. I can't do it alone.

But how can I alone bear the heavy responsibility for settling your disputes?

So I took the wise and experienced leaders you chose from your tribes, and I placed them in charge of you. Some were responsible for a thousand people, some for a hundred, some for fifty, and some for ten. I also appointed other officials throughout the tribes.

Show no partiality in your decisions; judge everyone on the same basis, no matter who they are. Do not be afraid of anyone, for the decisions you make come from God. If any case is too difficult for you, bring it to me, and I will decide it.'

At the same time I gave you instructions for everything else you were to do.

The Lord your God will lead you, and he will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt