September 4, 2018 - Day 149 - Numbers 32
I am writing from my hotel room in Ashland, VA.
Numbers 32:
I actually love this chapter.
So some of those -ites (Reuben and Gad) asked Moses for some land (for their flocks) so they didn't have to cross the Jordan. Basically trying to take the easy path.
Moses ain't down with this and is asking why they are discouraging people of taking the land that was promised to them.
If you thought Moses was upset, God was super pissed. So we are told that God made sure that none of them would get any of that promised land, and to add insult to injury, have them wonder around for forty years. Basically until the entire generation was dead.
Now before we get all caught up in this bizarre story, take a step back and think about what is happening here. Rather than pursue what it is difficult and ultimately more rewarding, they are trying to take the easy way out. These ancient folks tend to blame God for a lot, and say that God is saying all this stuff. I think it was easier for them to say God made them wander for forty years, rather than own the fact that they weren't brave enough to make the courageous choice.
They wandered because they weren't willing to step into the unknown.
They wandered because they were fueled by fear.
The next generation of Reubenites and Gadites come back to Moses, this time, having learned from their ancestors. Moses is obviously initially skeptical, but this generation is ready to fight. And as promised from Moses, if they do, the land will be theirs.
We are ALL being called to create a future that we cannot create alone; and this is NEVER easy.
Which path will you choose?
Numbers 32:
I actually love this chapter.
So some of those -ites (Reuben and Gad) asked Moses for some land (for their flocks) so they didn't have to cross the Jordan. Basically trying to take the easy path.
Moses ain't down with this and is asking why they are discouraging people of taking the land that was promised to them.
If you thought Moses was upset, God was super pissed. So we are told that God made sure that none of them would get any of that promised land, and to add insult to injury, have them wonder around for forty years. Basically until the entire generation was dead.
Now before we get all caught up in this bizarre story, take a step back and think about what is happening here. Rather than pursue what it is difficult and ultimately more rewarding, they are trying to take the easy way out. These ancient folks tend to blame God for a lot, and say that God is saying all this stuff. I think it was easier for them to say God made them wander for forty years, rather than own the fact that they weren't brave enough to make the courageous choice.
They wandered because they weren't willing to step into the unknown.
They wandered because they were fueled by fear.
The next generation of Reubenites and Gadites come back to Moses, this time, having learned from their ancestors. Moses is obviously initially skeptical, but this generation is ready to fight. And as promised from Moses, if they do, the land will be theirs.
We are ALL being called to create a future that we cannot create alone; and this is NEVER easy.
Which path will you choose?
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