Deuteronomy 1:26-46
Yesterday I bragged on Moses as a leader that I could as admire. I have not changed my mind today, however I was disturbed at this remarks in these verses.
He is recounting the journey from Egypt. I was with Him, enjoying the scroll down memory lane then I heard the word "you" over and over again. What I did not hear was the word "I." Moses confronted this generation of Israelites of the sin which keep their ancestors out of the Promised Land. He blamed their sin for the reason he was not allowed to enter the land of milk and honey. (37) He did not take responsibility for his own sin as the reason he was not allowed to enter in.
Moses also claimed to be the one who tried to convince the Israelites that they had the power to over take the enemies in the new land. (Numbers 13:25-33) It was Joshua and Caleb who tried to do the convincing.
I am leaving this part of the today's post puzzled and a little disappointed. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
Switching Gears:
"Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir. But forty years after..." (Deut. 1:2-3a)
He is recounting the journey from Egypt. I was with Him, enjoying the scroll down memory lane then I heard the word "you" over and over again. What I did not hear was the word "I." Moses confronted this generation of Israelites of the sin which keep their ancestors out of the Promised Land. He blamed their sin for the reason he was not allowed to enter the land of milk and honey. (37) He did not take responsibility for his own sin as the reason he was not allowed to enter in.
Moses also claimed to be the one who tried to convince the Israelites that they had the power to over take the enemies in the new land. (Numbers 13:25-33) It was Joshua and Caleb who tried to do the convincing.
I am leaving this part of the today's post puzzled and a little disappointed. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
Switching Gears:
"Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir. But forty years after..." (Deut. 1:2-3a)
A journey that should have taken only 11 days took the Israelites 40 years. I have to ask myself, "What 11 day journey am I spending too much time on because of disobedience, grumbling, and complaining?" Lord, reveal to me depths of my disobedience so I can repent and enjoy more fully Your plan for my life.
10 Comments:
good morning sweet ladies of our God,
this morning I was caught by Deut 2:7 " He has watched your every step through this great wilderness."
Indeed, Almighty God has watched my every step through my multiple wildnerness experiences, AND brought me through to the Promised Land on the other side!, the western side, His best...better than i could've planned myself!
praying that for all of you, on this Blessed day!
amy jane
pennsylvania
Good Morning! Today's reading left me disappointed with Moses's remark, "And the Lord was also angry with me because of you." As a public school administrator, I often hear...it wasn't my fault. Accepting blame isn't easy,yet I believe it is the first step to repentence. When reading this verse I was anticipating Moses to tell us more...why God was mad at Moses...confession of what he did that was wrong. This is in the middle of Moses recapping what the Isrealites did that angered God. Yet, Moses didn't go into his own miscomings.
Much like you, Wendy, I was really disappointed in Moses. I still think he is a great leader. But as with all great leaders, they are human.
Another great truth we can gleam from these scriptures; God didn't leave them in the wilderness. As Moses pointed out, they often disappointed God and angered God, but He remained true to His word.
Wendy, I'm so glad you shared what you did. Can you believe it encouraged me somewhat to see that even great men like Moses, refuse to take responsibility for their actions.
With no-one accepting responsibility with all the errors being made with my Dad's care at the hospital right now, the Lord has reminded me of the grace extended to human error. Yesterday, to add to the list of incompetancy, can you believe the nurse let my father's intravenous run dry, resulting in air getting under his tissue and in his bloodstream, causing his hand and wrist to balloon up. It's just one more thing. The Dr's are now concerned about some other tests and sending in a specialist who deals with infectious diseases. Will this ever end?
This morning I lay in bed before turning on my light to have my quiet time, begging the Lord to give me something to hold on to today. Please Lord...please...remind me of Your presence. I don't see You...I don't feel You...I don't understand You and my faith is taking hit after hit. It's easier to not believe, than believe in a God who appears to be withholding His love and care.
I was reading through in Deut.1. I identified so much with the Israelites as they said, "The LORD must hate us. That's why he has brought us here..." (vs.27).
I continued on. Four verses later I read, "...the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place. But even after all he did, you refused to trust the LORD your God who goes before you looking for the best...guiding you..." "...The LORD your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing."
KNOWING that God's Word is truth, I'm asking the Lord to give me strength to believe it today. I have "lacked nothing"? Seems like I sure would be doing things differently right now...but if He says I'm lacking nothing...then...with tears streaming down my face...I choose to trust Him.
This journey hurts. I don't understand. My heart is broken beyond belief...I'm so frightened that doubt and anger will plant seeds so deep and take root that my faith will fail. I want my life to be giving testimony to my God who provides.
I know I have spent longer in the wilderness than the Lord has desired at times...lost in a forest of fear and uncertainty. Desiring to follow after Him hard today.
Thank you again for all your prayers.
Journeying on,
Joy
Wendy and all,
As I finished reading the sentence what Moses said (1:37)I stopped and reread it several times to make sure what I was reading was the printed word. I was surprised too and a little mistified. My perfect Moses was not so perfect in his words. But, knowing that imperfection makes him all the more human and a sliver of an ounce more like me! Maybe he's a bit more disgruntled now knowing he does not get to enter into the promised land, and realizing they are right there, but he's missed his opportunity...
Look at Deuteronomy 1:28
"They tell us" Isn't this just like Satan speaking through the scouts trying to make the Israelites afraid. Putting doubts into their minds. How many times does the enemy put doubts into our minds...little whispers to keep us from doing what God wants us to do!
God tells us to cast our anxiety on Him.
I liked what Moses said: (1:29)
*Don't be shocked
*afraid
*The LORD your God is going ahead of you
*He will fight for you
*the LORD your God cared for you all along the way...thru the wilderness
**just as a father cares for his child
*he's brought you to this place
Even after we know all of this, we still don't trust him at times. We are his child. Our LORD is God. I've also noticed how often it says....LORD our God. When we are in the desert our eyes are clouded and we become more "human."
When things are going smoothly, it is easier to live in the spirit and to walk with God...When we experience "giants" in our lives, times of being afraid, only by reading and obeying the Word of God will the Holy Spirit guide and bring us through.
Today was good reading...
Joy, I'm pained to see you in the "desert" right now...Oh sister, let it all out to God, tell Him everything on your mind. Tell him You are turning it over to Him, and ask Him to show you what to do today. Keep a verse in your heart, and take captive those thoughts that keep coming from the enenmy. You are God's litle girl. He cares for you and He has brought you to this place, for a reason. I will be praying for you, dear sister.
Lori - Mesa, AZ
PS Dear Sisters....just LOVED your comments yesterday...you all are totally blessing me!
Good morning!
Wendy noticed all the "yous" in today's reading, but I actually underlined 7 "I's" in vs 9-18. I felt Moses was being a bit arrogant. It's still along the same line of thinking as what Wendy said; Moses was not taking responsibility for his sin, but he also was taking lots of credit for things he felt he accomplished.
The nugget I gleaned from today: the Isrealites were safe when they followed the Lord's commands. Deut 2:37 states: We avoided - all the places the Lord our God had commanded us to leave alone.
What areas has He commanded me to leave alone? His word is filled with instruction for me, yet I find myself dabbling in certain areas He has told me to leave alone. I desire to take Him at his word and to obey; to trust that I am sheltered when I am not straying from Him. Why is this so difficult?
Joy, I want to you know that from my standpoint, your testimony is wonderful. You are turning to the Only One who will get you thru this trying time. You may not see it, but this is worshipping Him. May God bless your journey today - whatever today holds for you.
Morgen - MN
Moses was a great leader, but he was not God in the flesh, that's why we see (hear) not taking full responsibility for his actions. We are not responsible for other’s actions, but we are totally responsible for our reactions.
My nugget:
Deut 1:6 You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on.
Wherever I am in my thoughts or my reality, if it is not bringing me closer to God or revealing him to those who can see me I must break camp and move! There is a promised land waiting on me to occupy as a gift from my Father.
Blessing!
Debbie - North Carolina
We have all spent longer in the wilderness than we desire. The thing is, I don’t always realize how long I’ve dallied there. Perhaps fear keeps me from moving, or maybe I find a comfortable place and “settle”. This long exodus with Moses has revealed the importance of understanding that the journey doesn’t end when I’ve reached the Promised Land... I have to take that next step and claim it!
Once read a quote, "Not all who wander are lost." If God is leading, we are not lost...
In His steps,
Susan
Girls,
I love reading Wendy's post and your comments. Seeing God at work in your midst is such a beautiful thing. You are growing not only in His Word but in knowledge and revelation...what a blessing this will be as you journey through life. May God continue to speak to you and bless your time with Him.
Praying for you,
Wendy
I just want to say you all amaze me with you insight. Thanks as it helps me learn more about these verses. Laura
Hello Wendy and Ladies, I know I am very much behind but spent all day reading all the way up to March 13th tonight I have read everyone s blogs tugging at my heart I am going through the forest but knowing that God has his arms wrapped around all of us and that is all we need is him and to Glorify his name and close our eyes and sleep with peace in our hearts. Thank you again for all the prayers. Tina Robinson Indiana
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