I loved this part, “Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.”… How many times have I rushed ahead of God? Waiting on God, on His timing, through prayer and honest discussion between me and the Lord, does not come so easily for me. I need to work on this for sure! I am missing out…
Thanks Caroline, Yana, and Jennifer! This was so helpful for me (and not to mention and interesting cultural discussion! ) I loved that article! So fascinating!
22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
Two days, or a month, or a year. I get anxious if I carpool with someone else to an event and can’t leave exactly when I want. Waiting on the Lord is hard. Lord, write these words on my heart.
The other thing that stood out to me is that they were to live in that spot – unpacked and all – even if it was only 2 days! I’d like to skip all the work, take a short cut and be partly packed for the next trip or move. But if we are to live & thrive where we are planted we need to learn to trust in Gods perfect timing, whether we understand it or not. This is HARD stuff.
Carolne thank you for a great reference. Setting the people apart ,a chosen people, was a purpose for the rules. It gave them back an identity they had lost as slaves in Egypt. Another point made in the article is that each country had it’s own Gods ,so it’s own form of worship and way of identifying themselves with their gods. The laws of the OT were the “identification” marks God gave the Israelites to set themselves apart. Also they were the standards for sacrifice that were pleasing to Him. They replaced the pagan sacrifices that were not pleasing to Him.
If these people had not been so “stiff necked” they would have been in awe, on a continual basis, of the enormity of the blessing and cleansing God was creating for them. He was preparing them to be acknowledged as a chosen people so that when Jesus came they would continue to stand out from the rest as uniquely blessed by a powerful, loving God.
When Jesus summarized all the OT laws to two primary commands: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.’ He gave us the new description of a follower of the one true God. This is our identity to set ourselves apart from all others.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!
I’ve been thinking about the Israelites, not knowing how long they were to camp at each place. Sometimes, waiting on the Lord grows difficult. A day, sure, even a week, but after that month I wonder if they started to be unsure. “maybe it’s just cloudy today?”
“should we be partially packed just in case today is the the day?”
“is this the promised land?”
But the Lord’s timing doesn’t need to make sense to us to be right. maybe there were enemies ahead, maybe the weather was bad, maybe they were camped in a good spot, or maybe it wasn’t about where they were but where they were headed.
I need to remember that I don’t know the best thing, God does, and He doesn’t answer to me. If I’m waiting, there’s a reason; if I’m in a trial, there’s a reason; and even if it’s not until the other side of this life, someday I’ll know God did the right thing.
I need to cling to that & let go of my anger.
I totally agree as well. Right now I am asking God to show me where to go next , if it’s back to NE to join with my family in starting an organic farm or stay and grow with the career I have here, for a bit longer. The question is when, because I know that’s where God wants me is working with my family.
I prayed with a friend about it yesterday and she said, “you will know when it’s time when you feel peace about it.” So reading this passage confirms, I am waiting for the Lord and being patient in his faithfulness. He will finish the work he has started !! Thank you Jesus!!
All throughout Numbers (and Leviticus) there were so many rules and insufficiencies. There’s no way people could live up to this standard. I understand that Jesus came to free us from these judgements and laws, ( Praise God! ) but why did God create them in the first place? Why couldn’t he have had New Testament redemption from the start? What do you think? If God can have anything, why did he make so many laws to separate Himself from His people?
Ashley, I think the law just is a picture showing us how much we fail, to be honest. That even with the law, we couldn’t even follow that. The New Testament fulfills the picture of the Old, but maybe they just weren’t ready. He had his perfect timing and arranged all the situations, political and otherwise, to match when He would come to the earth. I don’t think the laws separated Him from His people, but rather have them a way to come to God, as sin had separated them in Genesis from God’s holiness, and now they had a way to come to Him.
Yes! And I also think it’s the difference between a simple plot and one with intricate twists, details, and foreshadowing that showcases the skill, wisdom, and greatness of the Author! =)
So many good nuggets from today’s reading! A couple things stood out to me. From Numbers 9: 15-23 I’m reminded that when I’m in the wilderness I need to have Jesus be my only focus in order to know when or where to move. They focused on the cloud by day and the fire by night so they knew when to go or when to stay. They never worried about getting lost because they knew God was leading them (and that was all that mattered, no questions asked).
2 Thessalonians 1: 5-7 encourages me to press on through persecution for God will give me rest. I pray the Lord God gives us more endurance and faith to press through every trial or persecution. In Jesus name!
I loved this part, “Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.”… How many times have I rushed ahead of God? Waiting on God, on His timing, through prayer and honest discussion between me and the Lord, does not come so easily for me. I need to work on this for sure! I am missing out…
It stood out to me too. I needed to hear that reminder of the simple act of asking and waiting.
Thanks Caroline, Yana, and Jennifer! This was so helpful for me (and not to mention and interesting cultural discussion! ) I loved that article! So fascinating!
22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
Two days, or a month, or a year. I get anxious if I carpool with someone else to an event and can’t leave exactly when I want. Waiting on the Lord is hard. Lord, write these words on my heart.
Amen Christina? That stood out to me too, I need to be more patient and wait on the Lord like the Israelites.
The other thing that stood out to me is that they were to live in that spot – unpacked and all – even if it was only 2 days! I’d like to skip all the work, take a short cut and be partly packed for the next trip or move. But if we are to live & thrive where we are planted we need to learn to trust in Gods perfect timing, whether we understand it or not. This is HARD stuff.
Carolne thank you for a great reference. Setting the people apart ,a chosen people, was a purpose for the rules. It gave them back an identity they had lost as slaves in Egypt. Another point made in the article is that each country had it’s own Gods ,so it’s own form of worship and way of identifying themselves with their gods. The laws of the OT were the “identification” marks God gave the Israelites to set themselves apart. Also they were the standards for sacrifice that were pleasing to Him. They replaced the pagan sacrifices that were not pleasing to Him.
If these people had not been so “stiff necked” they would have been in awe, on a continual basis, of the enormity of the blessing and cleansing God was creating for them. He was preparing them to be acknowledged as a chosen people so that when Jesus came they would continue to stand out from the rest as uniquely blessed by a powerful, loving God.
When Jesus summarized all the OT laws to two primary commands: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.’ He gave us the new description of a follower of the one true God. This is our identity to set ourselves apart from all others.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!
I’ve been thinking about the Israelites, not knowing how long they were to camp at each place. Sometimes, waiting on the Lord grows difficult. A day, sure, even a week, but after that month I wonder if they started to be unsure. “maybe it’s just cloudy today?”
“should we be partially packed just in case today is the the day?”
“is this the promised land?”
But the Lord’s timing doesn’t need to make sense to us to be right. maybe there were enemies ahead, maybe the weather was bad, maybe they were camped in a good spot, or maybe it wasn’t about where they were but where they were headed.
I need to remember that I don’t know the best thing, God does, and He doesn’t answer to me. If I’m waiting, there’s a reason; if I’m in a trial, there’s a reason; and even if it’s not until the other side of this life, someday I’ll know God did the right thing.
I need to cling to that & let go of my anger.
Amen. I totally relate to this.
I totally agree as well. Right now I am asking God to show me where to go next , if it’s back to NE to join with my family in starting an organic farm or stay and grow with the career I have here, for a bit longer. The question is when, because I know that’s where God wants me is working with my family.
I prayed with a friend about it yesterday and she said, “you will know when it’s time when you feel peace about it.” So reading this passage confirms, I am waiting for the Lord and being patient in his faithfulness. He will finish the work he has started !! Thank you Jesus!!
I love this. There is always a reason, even when we can’t see it. There is a God who sees it. And He will lead us, we must simply follow & obey.
Amen to that! I’ve been struggling a lot lately with waiting (particularly in the area of relationship). This is a good reminder.
I have a question:
All throughout Numbers (and Leviticus) there were so many rules and insufficiencies. There’s no way people could live up to this standard. I understand that Jesus came to free us from these judgements and laws, ( Praise God! ) but why did God create them in the first place? Why couldn’t he have had New Testament redemption from the start? What do you think? If God can have anything, why did he make so many laws to separate Himself from His people?
Ashley I have no answer for you but I’ve wondered the same thing. There are lots of well read women in this group so I bet we will get an answer!
I found this link helpful http://www.atacrossroads.net/why-the-weird-old-testament-laws-ever-existed/
Blessings and hope you have a wonderful day!
Ashley, I think the law just is a picture showing us how much we fail, to be honest. That even with the law, we couldn’t even follow that. The New Testament fulfills the picture of the Old, but maybe they just weren’t ready. He had his perfect timing and arranged all the situations, political and otherwise, to match when He would come to the earth. I don’t think the laws separated Him from His people, but rather have them a way to come to God, as sin had separated them in Genesis from God’s holiness, and now they had a way to come to Him.
Yes! And I also think it’s the difference between a simple plot and one with intricate twists, details, and foreshadowing that showcases the skill, wisdom, and greatness of the Author! =)
So many good nuggets from today’s reading! A couple things stood out to me. From Numbers 9: 15-23 I’m reminded that when I’m in the wilderness I need to have Jesus be my only focus in order to know when or where to move. They focused on the cloud by day and the fire by night so they knew when to go or when to stay. They never worried about getting lost because they knew God was leading them (and that was all that mattered, no questions asked).
2 Thessalonians 1: 5-7 encourages me to press on through persecution for God will give me rest. I pray the Lord God gives us more endurance and faith to press through every trial or persecution. In Jesus name!
Wow thank you!
Perseverance, faith, glorified … Thank you for helping me improve my faith