Gilead

"Gilead remained beyond the Jordan" [JFA Corrigida Fiel] (vs. 17) Gilead is the name of the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh that settled with Reuben and Gad in the Transjordanian lands. The account of the Gileadites is that they simply stayed home! They had heard about the battle, but they simply did not even bother to go. They were not interested in having a part in this work of the Lord. Perhaps they simply did not have the faith for it.

There are many people who simply stay home when it comes to the work of the Lord. Indifference is a universal disease among Christians today. Apathy is creeping in everywhere. All I can say is that the Lord is taking note of it, and it will appear at the judgment seat. I fear that we will all suffer a loss of reward on that day because of our apathy.