More than two million people set out, excited and happy. A short blast on two silver trumpets got them together, then one long blast got them marching. Everything was in place, everyone had a job...From its starting point, the road to joy looks smooth as far as the eye can see. (66 LL)But, when I go back and re-read all the preparations, I see God's indications that the road ahead will not be smooth. Numbers 10:8-10 say that "when you go to war", not if they will go to war. The people must actually march on their own feet and do the heavy carrying of many things. They can look forward to taking down The Dwelling and setting up The Dwelling every time they move. Numbers 10:31-32 hints that even though God was leading them in the wilderness, there were still unknowns and Moses needed help recognizing the "best places to camp". And Numbers 10:35 again reveals that enemies will be encountered.
God had set the expectations of upcoming hardships. He wasn't deceitful, luring the Israelites to good things in the Promised Land without clearly outlining the dangers ahead. Similarly for us today, Christ made it clear that there is a cost to following Him.
Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat - I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self." Luke 9:23-24 (Msg)Here are the questions I'm pondering today: In what specific destination (plan) of my life am I insisting to sit in the driver's seat? What suffering am I running from / numbing myself from / refusing to embrace? Where am I leaning on self-help to manage my life instead of sacrificing myself to Christ's way?
6 comments:
Oh.. Thought-provoking reflection questions, Staci.
I loved the end of chapter 9 where it says "they lived obediently to God's instructions as delivered by Moses." there is something beautiful about obedience and orderliness and the people seemed to have no issues with authority (at this point!).
I was also surprised at the order of the marching. Just as my eyes started to glaze over for another long list of unpronounceable names, I noticed that the Dwelling parts were separated. The people who carried the structure part went first, separated by other groups of people, and then came the people who carried the inner decor. That way the tent was set up when they arrived and they could set the decor down in the appropriate places.
I think that is brilliant! What organization, orderliness, logic. I love that God thought it out, and prescribed it for the people. Just affirms again that God is in the details, and that planning IS spiritual!
I agree, Sarah! For all of us planners, the logic, orderliness and organization is brilliant. I too noticed that the Kohathites who carried the holy things would arrive after the Dwelling was set up. I hadn't noticed the particular order before today's reading.
Staci, you mentioned that the Israelites needed help finding the best places to camp. I read that passage and wondered if that was from the Lord or not. God was leading them by the Cloud and showing them where to stop. Why would they need a Midianite to pick out campgrounds? I wondered if this was just one more hint of the coming disobedience.
Loved the questions too! I'll be thinking about those today.
The thing that stuck out for me was Hobab, the Midianite who wanted to defect. First, I was always curious if anybody just bailed during this journey. Second, that Moses would promise him the good things from God. I wonder if Hobab ever comprehended the journey he was on or was just along for the ride. Or how often he came back to this crossroads and regretted his decision. As you mention, Staci, life doesn’t get easier for them and God laid that out…. Was Moses just preaching some prosperity gospel?
I guess why this stuck out to me is that it is easy for me to borrow other people’s journey and conveniently tap out when things don’t go the way I want it to…instead of taking the opportunity to have the presence of God inspire, instruct, transform and lead me.
I'm still stuck on Leviticus and digesting the story of the man who was stoned for taking God's name in vain. I'm struggling on this one.
My journey this year is to know God in a new way. Why are my thoughts still troubled over this reading? What are you teaching me Lord?
Ladies, feel free to jump in with any insight.
Lisa, I think it's good that your thoughts are troubled and you're struggling with God. It means you're engaging with Him to know more than just the niceties and politeness of a westernized god.
Keep pushing through with Him, keep reading, and keep asking for perspective on who He is through a new lens. A new lens that may not fit with past concepts of God and probably will have some fuzzy spots for awhile.
I've experienced that as I'm allowing His Word to reveal who He is, that it's first taking some deconstruction of my God-in-a-box. It feels messy and disruptive.
So yes, it's jarring that God would take out a man who simply uttered His name in vain. Since He is a good, holy, and just God, what must it mean that at this point in the Story, He had to put the full weight of the punishment on this man? And why do we have a reaction of such disgust that this man was stoned for clearly sinning by misusing the name of the Holy God?
More than you asked for, Lisa, but so glad you're taking this ride with us!
Thanks Stacy for taking the time to reply. I like thinking about the "niceties" and the warm feeling it gives me inside as oppossed to this character of my God. I'll keep asking and listening. thanks!
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