Explanation: The painting above has particular reference to a phrase from verse 23 below: "be sure your sin will find you out." The phrase is central to the chapter. It is the deciding factor in the controversy out of which it arose. Some of the tribes seemed to be in rebellion. They claimed otherwise. Moses said that if they were lying about their intentions their sin would search them out or hunt them down (as in the painting above) and bring punishment upon them.
     In Numbers 32 a controversy arose between the tribes about inheritance rights and conquest protocols. The tribes of Reuben and Gad (as well as half of the tribe of Manasseh -- see verse 33) asked for inheritance rights on the east side of the Jordan river in the area of Jazer and Gilead because it had good grazing land and they had large flocks (1-5). Moses remonstrated with them, complaining that they would discourage the hearts of their brethren by sitting idle while the others went to war. He reminded them of the LORD's judgment when the spies brought back an evil report about the land, making the nation wander for forty years in the wilderness until a whole sinful generation was consumed (6-15). They replied that they would fight alongside their brethren until everyone received their inheritance. Only then would they return to their families and houses. Moses told them that this was acceptable if they kept their word; but their sin would find them out if they were lying (16-27). So Moses recited these conditions to Eleazar and Joshua; and Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh again agreed to the conditions (28-32). And, at that point, Moses gave them the conquered territory on the east side of the Jordan -- the kingdoms of Sihon and Og, and the Amorite territory of Gilead. They built cities there (33-42).

     ³³ And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about. ³⁴ And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, ³⁵ And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah, ³⁶ And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities: and folds for sheep. ³⁷ And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim, ³⁸ And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded. ³⁹ And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it. ⁴⁰ And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. ⁴¹ And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair. ⁴² And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

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