Firm and Informed Decision Making - Numbers 29-32

 Numbers 32:1-7 (ESV)

Reuben and Gad Settle in Gilead

Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great number of livestock. And they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, and behold, the place was a place for livestock. So the people of Gad and the people of Reuben came and said to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the chiefs of the congregation, “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, the land that the LORD struck down before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.” And they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan.”

But Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here? Why will you discourage the heart of the people of Israel from going over into the land that the LORD has given them?

Decision making by leadership is one of the most important aspects of their lives.  How they make a decision, why they make a decision, and how that decision is carried out, all tell us the quality of leadership.   In the above passage we read about 2 1/2 tribes who come to Moses and do not want to go into the promise land, on the other side of Jordan.   This is a big deal.  God has brought the nation out of Egypt to bring them into the promise land.  When the leadership of the 2 1/2 tribes come to Moses he objects (vss 6-15).  He reminds these leaders that is exactly what happen with their fathers 40-years earlier.    Their fathers did not want to go into the promise land because of fear.   That fear discouraged the entire nation.  Moses was afraid these 2 1/2 tribe would do the same, just as they were ready to take them across the Jordon.    However, if we read farther on we see that the 2 1/2 tribes re more than willing to cross the Jordon to fight for the nation, but wanted to live where they were currently living.  These leaders would be willing to leave their children, wives and livestock unattended in a fortified city in order to complete their obligation to the nation.   When Moses hears their willingness to fight, here is his response:

Numbers 32:20-23 (ESV)

So Moses said to them, “If you will do this, if you will take up arms to go before the LORD for the war, and every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before the LORD, until he has driven out his enemies from before him and the land is subdued before the LORD; then after that you shall return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel, and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.

Moses was a great leader.  He was not stuck in his mindset.  He was willing to hear the voices of those he led and change his mind.  Making a firm decision is important for leadership.  But, making an informed, firm decision is even more important.  Moses had jumped to a conclusion when first hearing their request.  Rather than be curious, he was overly critical of their plan.  But, once they gave him clarity he was able to pivot to make a more informed decision.  Leaders who want to make firm and informed decisions should be curious and seek clarity first.