Numbers 31-33

When the leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad first spoke to Moses surely the old prophet rolled his eyes and thought, "Not again!" The children of the rebels had learned nothings from the parents' failures. But as they continued to speak Moses saw the faith of the people of Reuben and Gad. They sought not to defer God's promise but to enlarge his promise. They were willing to leave their heritage, their families and flocks, in God's care to battle with their brothers for their inheritence. They were willing to risk loosing all so that the rest of the covenant community could gain God's promise. God honored their faith and expanded his inheritence to both sides of the Jordan.
Stuart