Numbers 32:23

23 "But what if you fail to do your duty? Then you will be sinning against the Lord. And you can be sure that your sin will be discovered. It will be brought out into the open.

Numbers 32:23 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:23

But if ye will not do so
As they promised they would, and Moses insisted on it that they should:

behold, ye have sinned against the Lord
making such a request, and not fulfilling the conditions on which it was granted:

and be sure your sin will find you out;
fly in their faces, accuse them in their consciences, charge and load them with guilt, and bring deserved punishment upon them: sin may be put, as it often is, for the punishment of sin, which sooner or later will find out and come upon the impenitent and unpardoned sinner.

Numbers 32:23 In-Context

21 Prepare yourselves and go across the Jordan River. Fight for the LORD until he has driven out his enemies in front of him.

22 "When the land is under the LORD's control, you can come back here. Your duty to the LORD and Israel will be over. Then the LORD will give you this land as your own.

23 "But what if you fail to do your duty? Then you will be sinning against the Lord. And you can be sure that your sin will be discovered. It will be brought out into the open.

24 "So build up cities for your women and children. Make sheep pens for your flocks. But do what you have promised to do."

25 The people of Gad and Reuben spoke to Moses. They said, "We will do just as you command.