“And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?” - Numbers 32v7
The time was drawing close for the crossing of the river into Canaan, God’s promised land. As Moses was giving directions for entering the land the leaders of two tribes, Gad and Reuben decided that the land where they were was better for their cattle. They approached Moses and asked to be permitted to settle there.
Moses had a couple of related problems with their plan. One was that they would not be able to help fight for the land. Everyone knew that the conquering the land would be a challenge. They needed every man for the task.
This was related to another problem. Moses asked the leaders, “Would you discourage the hearts of the children from going over into the land?” Moses knew that the task was immense and he also knew the dangers of discouragement. Discouragement, as pointed out here, affects the heart.
Many times we face a potentially discouraging task. The last thing we need is someone to discourage us. Discouragement leads to despair and possibly defeat. Let us be sure that our words and actions are not going to discourage others. Our task is to edify, not to discourage.
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