Moshe felt they needed additional encouragement to keep their commitment.
Returning to the matter of Moshe reversing the order of the Tribes request, it is interesting to note the opportunity that Moshe provided to the Tribes to correct their perspective.
The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 16) explains the idea of, “Achar HaP’ulos Nimshachim Halevavos – the hearts follow the implementation of actions.” This idea is also found in Chapter 23 of the Mesilas Yesharim – that the actions that a person takes outwardly, slowly but surely, affect how they feel inwardly.
Moshe instructed them to provide for their children first, and then for their possessions. By complying with Moshe’s instructions, they would be taking an outward concrete action which would affect how they would feel on the inside and would change their perception about what really should come first.
This is the model that we must follow to help ensure that we follow in the ways of Hashem – that to perceive and feel the right things inwardly, we must take the right actions outwardly.
Lofty concepts and ideas are not enough – they must be accompanied by actions to develop and imbed them into our hearts and minds.
The prophets of Israel speak of the noble ideals of universal peace, brotherhood, seeking truth and justice, and walking humbly before Hashem. However, this is insufficient. Judaism requires that these noble ideas be solidified internally within us through external actions such as through the performance of Mitzvos.
