Then all the people... It is important to refresh our minds concerning what happened before the "then." The twelve spies Moses sent in to scout out the Promised Land returned after 40 days to give the devastating news that they could not defeat those living in the land. Only 10 of the 12 conceded to this report. Caleb and Joshua stood alone, trying to convince the people the enemies could be conquered.
"Then all the people began weeping and cried all night." (14:1) Then they made their wishes known:
"Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained."
In the earlier post Security of Slavery I wrote of how in the midst of our deliverance from our slavery/stronghold things may get tough and when these tough times arise we may feel the pull to run back to the security we knew in our slavery. After two years and several admonishments from the Lord, it looked like the Lord was ready to fulfill His promise and deliver His children to the Promised Land. But at the last minute, instead of remembering God's faithfulness to bring them thus far, the Israelites chose to disregard what the Lord wanted to do and make a wish to return from whence they came.
Our deliverance from slavery/strongholds is for our freedom yes, but it is ultimately for others to see God's power. Recall how often God continued to tell to Moses how He wanted Pharaoh to see His power. All throughout the journey through the wilderness God had been displaying His power, building a reputation for Himself among the other nations. Now, He was ready for the grand finale and the Israelites crumbled with fear. In their fear they uttered words they later regretted. God heard those words and decided to give them exactly what they asked for: death in the wilderness.
In the midst of fear it is important for us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. The Lord is trustworthy. If He says He will do something, He is faithful to complete it. The Psalmist says, "Be still and know that I am God." Jeremiah tells us the Lord's plans are to prosper not to harms us and are laid out to give us hope. These words do not suggest fear.
P.S. Change of Subject
Like many of you I was caught off guard by 15:32-36 and the death of the man who was caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath. My earlier research and discussion of this penalty was supported by commentary suggesting the penalty of death was for the duration of the construction of the Tabernacle. Now, one chapter over we see this penalty executed.
I dug deeper to find two commentaries that give insight into this man and his character suggesting that this act of picking up sticks was in direct defiance and constituted blasphemy against the Lord. The penalty against blasphemy was given in Leviticus 24:23. The penalty was death by stoning. I am still a little baffled by this turn of events but will trust that God always knows what He is doing and can see what I can not see.
(EasyEnglish EWordToday)
In the midst of fear it is important for us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. The Lord is trustworthy. If He says He will do something, He is faithful to complete it. The Psalmist says, "Be still and know that I am God." Jeremiah tells us the Lord's plans are to prosper not to harms us and are laid out to give us hope. These words do not suggest fear.
I will be the first to admit that is hard not to fear in the midst of trouble and uncertainty. The antidote to fear is faithfulness. Our faithfulness to Him but more importantly His faithfulness to us.
P.S. Change of Subject
Like many of you I was caught off guard by 15:32-36 and the death of the man who was caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath. My earlier research and discussion of this penalty was supported by commentary suggesting the penalty of death was for the duration of the construction of the Tabernacle. Now, one chapter over we see this penalty executed.
I dug deeper to find two commentaries that give insight into this man and his character suggesting that this act of picking up sticks was in direct defiance and constituted blasphemy against the Lord. The penalty against blasphemy was given in Leviticus 24:23. The penalty was death by stoning. I am still a little baffled by this turn of events but will trust that God always knows what He is doing and can see what I can not see.
(EasyEnglish EWordToday)
9 Comments:
Wendy, I just love you! Thanks for this daily word of encouragement. I had to smile when I read, "I am still a little baffled by this turn of events but will trust that God always knows what He is doing". Often I just have to surrender to that as well. :o)
It's interesting to me that you would speak of a stronghold of fear today. I always struggle with fear, but today especially it wants to capture me. My Dad has surgery today to remove a cancerous tumor and my heart is anxious. Praying I will know and experience God's faithfulness in all that lies ahead.
My thoughts focused on Numbers 15:37-41, regarding the tassels on the clothing. Being a visual girl, I really liked the idea of tassels of remembrance. I shared on my blog visuals around my home that keep my mind focused on Him. These tassels not only drew the attention of the Israelites, but called for their obedience.
Praying I will be obedient to all He desires of me today,
Joy
Yes, to Be Careful "What You Wish For"...our ALL-KNOWING God knows everything on our heart!
As I read the passages I was so awed by Moses. God offered to destroy the people and make Moses "into a nation greater and mightier." I don't believe there was an ounce of arrogance in Moses. His mind was on protecting his people and watching out for God's reputation with the Egyptians! Once again, he intercessed for his people and prayed...God answered his prayers "pardon[ed] them" as he requested.
We see clearly the difference between what happens when we are faithful vs. unfaithful. Whewie, the judgment and consequences that the people from Egypt encountered because they did not listen to the authority and they continued to go ahead their own way. How many times to we want to go our own way?
Our will verses God's will for us...surrendering our will to the will of God always results in great blessings.
It boils down to faith, doesn't it beautiful sisters??? Faith in our ALL KNOWING GOD! The more we read Gods Word, the more faith we have.
Recently, I took a "Believing God," Beth Moore Study in which she had us all make blue, corded-ribbon bracelets to wear throughout the nine week period. I love Joy's idea about placing visuals around the home...I'm a visual person too. May we all work today to remember the Lord rather than "following our own desires."
Love you gals, and I can't tell you how much ALL of your comments mean to me. It is so fun to be going on this year-long journey together!
Joy, I'm praying for your Dad and all of your family as your day begins...May God's loving and comforting hands be on all of you today. May His hands be on top of the surgeon's hands too as He guides them to take care of every single detail that is necessary. Love you!
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Many things struck me from today's reading, but the one verse that made me shiver was verse 34b where the Lord said, "Now you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy." Boy did that make me sit up and take notice! For a moment I put myself in the Israelite's sandals and could feel the dread of hearing that statement (verse 39 says they were "filled with grief". I praise Him for the fact that I am covered in the blood of Jesus and I do not have to "fear" Him in that way. He wants my reverence, respect, and love. I would like to think I would have sided with Joshua and Caleb, but knowing myself the way I do, I probably would have shrunk back and not trusted the way the other 10 and seemingly the rest of the Israelites did.
Also thanks to you Wendy for being real with us and expressing your confusion about the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath. I too was taken back by this, but I remembered your words from yesterday that said we must read God's Word knowing that everything God does is for the good of His children, so there must be something here that I don't understand.
Can't help lovin' our big, faithful God!
Mary Ruth
Rocky Mount, NC
You all are so full of good thoughts today! I admit, when we started to read Numbers, I inwardly groaned. I thought it was going to mostly be numbers...how many people, how many cattle, etc. Boy was I wrong!
Mary Ruth, I was caught by the same verse as you were, and then I was floored when in Chapter 14:39-40, Moses tells the Isrealites all the Lord said (including what was said just 5 verses earlier) and they say "Let's go..."! Moses shows much restraint when he says "Why are you NOW disobeying the Lord's orders to return to the wilderness?(!)" I wonder how many times I do that... God gives me chance after chance and I willfully go my own way or don't go where He wants me to because I am "scared" and then He says "okay, stay in the wilderness awhile" and I say "I'm ready now..." I give thanks to Him for being slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. I also give thanks that through the death of Christ and His resurrection, He is now always ready to forgive and always ready to give another chance.
Have a great day!
Karen, CA
You all are so full of good thoughts today! I admit, when we started to read Numbers, I inwardly groaned. I thought it was going to mostly be numbers...how many people, how many cattle, etc. Boy was I wrong!
Mary Ruth, I was caught by the same verse as you were, and then I was floored when in Chapter 14:39-40, Moses tells the Isrealites all the Lord said (including what was said just 5 verses earlier) and they say "Let's go..."! Moses shows much restraint when he says "Why are you NOW disobeying the Lord's orders to return to the wilderness?(!)" I wonder how many times I do that... God gives me chance after chance and I willfully go my own way or don't go where He wants me to because I am "scared" and then He says "okay, stay in the wilderness awhile" and I say "I'm ready now..." I give thanks to Him for being slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. I also give thanks that through the death of Christ and His resurrection, He is now always ready to forgive and always ready to give another chance.
Have a great day!
Karen, CA
You are all amazing...I love to read your comments and I learn so much from your insights.
This was a rich reading today.
Special to me, along with that which you all have noted, is the lesson we are taught to walk by faith and not by sight.
Healing prayers Joyful, for your father, prayers for wisdom for the medical team, and prayers of comfort for you and your family. God will be glorified!
Prayers for you all to enjoy a wonder-full day in the hands of the Master,
Liz
ALaska
I am so loving this study. Thanks everyone!
I was also impressed by Moses love for the people. He knew they were in the wrong and he still interceded on their behalf. Thank God we have Jesus who everliveth to make intercession for us even though we too are oftentimes found guilty.
Verse 14:9, They are only helpless prey to us!!! WOW, Moses didn't deny they were prey; he just wanted the people to know they were helpless prey. Just like in Isaiah, no weapon formed against us will prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) Yes, there are weapons formed, but they can not prosper!
As I read 14:13-25, Psalm 23 played in my mind. Moses was saying God you have to keep your Word for your Name Sake. I know God has kept his Word over my life, not because I'm perfect, but because I confess he is my father and the world is looking for a reason to defame his name. I once read, a preacher closed all his prayer by saying, "For the sake of your reputation" in Jesus Name.
Joy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If God brings you to it, he is able to bring you through it.
Blessings Everyone,
Debbie - North Carolina
Wendy - I stuck that link to Easy English in my favorites. That was very helpful. What I understand from that is that only God knew what was in that man's heart regarding working on the sabbath. God knew that he did it defiantly, proudly and unrepentantly. He had to be dealt with.
It seems harsh to us; but how harsh is hell going to be for the defiant/unrepentant people we know today? I have loved ones that I worry so much about who don't know Jesus. I have had to learn to leave it in God's hands. His ways are perfect.
Thank you for the link.
God's peace to you, Joy.
Morgen - MN
In my Life application bible in the footnotes of verses 32-36 quotes:
Stoning a man for gathering wood on the Sabbath seems like a severe punishment, and it was. This act was a deliberate sin, defying God's law against working on the Sabbath. Perhaps the man was taking advantage of everyone else while they were at home resting, in addition to breaking the Sabbath. Just a thought.
Post a Comment
Home