The promise of Reuben's and Gad's tribes

Chapter 32 in Numbers is another account, in this long epic tale, of a story within a story.

It is about the story of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.  They were in possession of so much livestock, they did not want to cross the Jordan River, for the lands to the east of the river were suitable enough for them.

Moses became angry at this, and told them that they were abandoning the Lord and sinning against Him just like their ancestors.  The tribes then told Moses that they were to build stone enclosures to house their livestock, and after that they would fight, only if it was promises that the eastern lands could be theirs.

This exchange went back and forth three times to make sure everyone understood the terms of the agreement--communication was very clear in this regard, which is a lesson that can be taken into many negotiations today.

In the end, the tribes of Reuben and Gad fought with the other Israelites, and when the fighting was over they returned to the land they requested.