Numbers 32:15

For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.

For if ye turn away {H7725} from after {H310} him, he will yet again {H3254} leave {H3240} them in the wilderness {H4057}; and ye shall destroy {H7843} all this people {H5971}.

For if you turn away from him, he will leave them in the desert again, and thus you will cause the destruction of all these people!"

For if you turn away from following Him, He will once again leave this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction.”

For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye will destroy all this people.

Commentary

Context

Numbers 32:15 is part of Moses' stern warning to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who had requested to settle in the fertile land east of the Jordan River, rather than crossing into Canaan with the other tribes. Moses initially feared their request would dishearten the rest of the Israelites, causing a repeat of the sinful rebellion that led to 40 years of wilderness wandering and the death of an entire generation (see Numbers 32:6-14). After Reuben and Gad promised to send their fighting men ahead to help conquer the Promised Land before returning to their inheritance, Moses laid out the severe consequences if they failed to uphold their commitment. This verse underscores the gravity of their oath and the potential for collective disaster.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse clearly articulates the severe repercussions of turning away from God's plan and covenant obligations. Disobedience is not merely a personal failing but has far-reaching effects.
  • Corporate Responsibility: The actions of a few (Reuben and Gad) could lead to the destruction of "all this people." This highlights the biblical principle that individual choices, especially among leaders or influential groups, can have profound impacts on the entire community of faith.
  • Divine Judgment: God's response to unfaithfulness is presented as a direct intervention: "he will yet again leave them in the wilderness." This demonstrates divine displeasure and the consistent pattern of God's judgment against rebellion.
  • Faithfulness to Commitment: The passage emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word, particularly when it pertains to participating in God's purposes for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "turn away from after him" (Hebrew: shΓ»αΈ‡ mΔ“ΚΎaαΈ₯ΔƒrΓͺ) signifies more than just a change of direction; it implies abandoning allegiance, ceasing to follow, or a profound act of spiritual backsliding. It suggests a deliberate cessation of pursuit or obedience to God's leadership and His commands. The severity is underscored by the consequence: "destroy all this people," indicating that the failure of a part would lead to the utter ruin of the whole nation, causing them to perish in the wilderness, similar to the fate of their fathers.

Practical Application

Numbers 32:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It underscores the importance of:

  • Keeping Our Commitments: Just as Reuben and Gad were held accountable for their promise, believers are called to uphold their commitments to God and to one another within the community of faith. This includes dedication to spiritual disciplines and participation in the church's mission.
  • Understanding Corporate Impact: Our individual choices and actions, whether in faithfulness or disobedience, can significantly impact the spiritual well-being and progress of the wider Christian community. This calls for a sense of shared responsibility and unity, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:26.
  • Perseverance in Faith: The warning against "turning away" encourages perseverance in following God. Spiritual complacency or abandoning one's post can have serious consequences, hindering not only personal spiritual growth but also the collective advance of God's kingdom. Believers are called to live by faith and not shrink back.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 8:11

    And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

  • 1 Corinthians 8:12

    But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:2

    And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:19

    But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

  • 2 Chronicles 7:22

    And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

  • Numbers 14:30

    Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

  • Numbers 14:35

    I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.