Numbers 32:7

And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?

And wherefore discourage ye {H5106}{H5106} the heart {H3820} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} from going over {H5674} into the land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} hath given {H5414} them?

Besides, why are you trying to discourage the people of Isra'el from crossing into the land ADONAI gave them?

Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them?

And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Jehovah hath given them?

Commentary

Context

Numbers 32:7 is part of Moses' impassioned rebuke to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who had requested to settle in the fertile Transjordan region (east of the Jordan River) rather than crossing into the land of Canaan with the rest of the Israelite tribes. Moses feared their desire for immediate comfort and land would undermine the entire nation's resolve to conquer the Promised Land. He draws a direct parallel to the disastrous incident at Kadesh-Barnea, where the negative report of the spies led to the entire generation losing heart and being condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Moses' concern is that the actions of these two tribes would "discourage the heart" of the other tribes, causing them to hesitate and repeat the mistakes of the past.

Key Themes

  • Faith vs. Fear: The verse underscores the constant tension between trusting God's promises and succumbing to human fear or the pursuit of immediate comfort. Moses challenges the Reubenites and Gadites to choose faith in God's plan over their own perceived convenience.
  • Unity and Corporate Responsibility: Moses highlights the critical importance of national unity in pursuing God's will. The actions of a few individuals or tribes can have a profound and discouraging impact on the entire community, jeopardizing the collective mission.
  • Consequences of Discouragement: The historical example of Kadesh-Barnea serves as a stark warning about the devastating consequences of allowing fear and discouragement to take root within the community, leading to disobedience and delayed blessings.
  • Leadership and Warning: Moses, as a wise and experienced leader, identifies the potential for spiritual malaise and issues a strong, prophetic warning to prevent a repeat of past failures. His leadership is characterized by foresight and a commitment to God's ultimate purpose for Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "discourage ye the heart" translates the Hebrew ืชึดึผืฉึฐืืื•ึผ ืึถืชึพืœึตื‘ (*tish'u et-lev*), which literally means "to turn away the heart" or "to melt the heart." This conveys a deep internal weakening, a loss of courage, resolve, or morale. It's more than just external dissuasion; it speaks to causing an inner spiritual and emotional collapse that prevents action and trust in God.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to be mindful of the impact of their words and actions on others within the community of faith. We are called to be sources of encouragement, lifting up one another, especially when facing spiritual battles or pursuing God's challenging callings. Just as Moses warned against causing others to lose heart concerning the Promised Land, we should strive to inspire faith and unity, not doubt or division, as we collectively press forward in God's purposes. It encourages us to consider the ripple effect of our choices and to prioritize the corporate good and God's ultimate plan over personal preference or comfort, echoing the call to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Reflection

Numbers 32:7 encapsulates a timeless truth about human nature and community dynamics. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we prone to seeking the path of least resistance, potentially discouraging others from pursuing God's best? Or are we committed to the collective journey of faith, acting as catalysts for courage and unity? The verse emphasizes that true spiritual progress often requires overcoming internal fears and external comforts, always with an eye on the divine promise.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 21:4

    ยถ And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

  • Deuteronomy 1:28

    Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people [is] greater and taller than we; the cities [are] great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.

  • Acts 21:13

    Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

  • Numbers 13:27

    And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this [is] the fruit of it.

  • Numbers 14:4

    And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

  • Numbers 32:9

    For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.
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