Because the War Was God's

When the sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh went to war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab, they won. Why: "Because the war was God's" (5:22).

They realized in the midst of battle that they couldn't win it with their own strength alone and called on God to help them. Because they trusted in Him, He came to their rescue.

If only the story ended there. But it didn't . . . sadly enough.

"They were mighty men of valor, famous men, and heads of their fathers' houses. And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom god had destroyed before them" (5:24, 25).

So God allowed them to be conquered and carried away as captives.

It's a hard story to swallow because it's incredibly sad. Imagine, God saving these people and then having them forget Him for the gods of the people He just conquered for them. That's pretty much committing adultery with the enemy your husband just rescued you from.

I can't even begin to imagine the pain that caused God. To see His people run after something He knew would cause them pain right after He delivered them from it—at their own request!

I think I like reading about names better . . .