…and to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border, as far over as the river Jabbok, the border of the Ammonites; (Deuteronomy 3:16 ESV)
Extra
I thought the total solar eclipse would be good. But the moments around the actual event were transcendent. While it was not as dark as I thought, the sudden twilight was exhilarating. The halo around the moon was bright and beautiful, and blew my mind.
More than a mild scientific understanding of what I was observing, I was astounded at the mechanical and astronomical alignment taking place above me. I somehow felt connected to other observers nearby, observers all along the swath of darkness throughout the day, and even those in the distant past who saw and wondered at this strange event.
I thought it would be fun, interesting, and pretty. But it was so much more.
For the Israelites entering the Promised Land, they expected territorial occupation. God had outlined clearly which land was going to be dwelt in by Israel, via His fiat.
But they received so much more. When they arrived near the boundary of Cannan, some of them found land, on the East of the Jordan River, that amazed them. And God, in response, blessed them with extra land. Not part of the original Promised Land, they were gifted by God with more territory, more land, more homes, more rest.
Our God is like that. He promises us showers of blessings. But He gives us more rain. He promises us peace. But He gives us peace that passes understanding. He promises us life. But He gives us eternal life.
All because of Jesus. All because of grace. All because of His love.
Look around and be more amazed than you thought you were.