How Far is Too Far

1st Chronicles 5

I have been asked by different people how far could they do something without getting in trouble or when it becomes sin. Before I start going off on some explanation, I remind myself I asked the same question when I was younger. I would try to think I could go so far but just as long as I did not cross the line I was ok. Me and God were on good terms. I realized that thinking is wrong because my goal is to try to get close to sin thinking I could win. We need to have a different way of thinking about getting close to crossing the line of sin.

From chapter 4 to now we have been looking at the different tribes of Israel’s lineage. Chapter 4 we followed Judah and Simeon and in chapter 5 we will follow Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Reuben mentioned 3rd

Reuben was Jacob’s first born son. As a first born son he was entitled to be first as well as receive the majority of the inheritance. In Genesis 35:22 we read that Reuben gave up his firstborn rights as he did something disgraceful. Judah was mentioned first because as well as vs 2 we see Judah rose above the tribes. Judah would be of the line for the chief ruler David and the Son of David, Jesus Christ. 

Men of War

In verse 18 we see that the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Mannasseh had valiant men who carried shield and sword, and drew the bow, and expert in war. These men were men of war but we see that in the middle of battle they would realize they were in need of God’s strength and they would cry out to God in battle and they would prevail over their enemies. Each tribe had a purpose for the community of Israel and these men would be men of war but even the men of war were weak without the strength of the almighty God. 

Aren’t you Glad you are Not Gad…

Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were the tribes that stayed on the edge of the promise land. They liked it better than actually going all the way in. It is true that they kept their word and helped the Israelites in battle so they could obtain the land but they stayed on the edge and did not live within the land. As we read in 2nd Kings these tribes were the first to be carried off by the Assyrian army. We also read that in verse 25, “But they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and went after the gods of the peoples of the land.” They were the first tribes that gave in to idolatry.

How Far is too far?

In the beginning I remember asking myself this question and we can look at these 3 tribes (or 2 1/2) as an example. They did not want to go completely into the Promise Land. They wanted to be part of the community but also part into the other lands. We as Christians can do the same thing. We want to be part of the Christian community but we also have our other foot in the world. We try to balance it out but somehow the world will win over. The other nations influence over these tribes is sad and they were the first to be taken away from the enemy. The question we need to ask ourselves is not how close can I get to the line without crossing it, but how far away from sin can I be. We should want to be at the center with our relationship with Christ.

David says it best in Psalm 1- “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

Where do you stand? Are you close to the center of where God wants you? Or, are you on the edge and have your foot in both worlds?