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March 9th
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 33,34.
Our reading starts with a review of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
“And they set out...and they camped ...And they set out...and they camped...over and over and over again...30+ times from Egypt to their entrance into the Promised Land...the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
When we follow the text with a Bible map nearby, we see that the cloud that would lead them in the way, lead them in circles for 39 years. So God was leading them in circles...interesting...we will get to that.
The “first-year” in the wilderness...was a pretty straight shot from Goshen to and through the Red Sea to Mt Sinai for the laws of God...and then to Kadesh Barnea at the edge of Canaan. But a straight shot does not mean that there wasn't any spiritual backsliding in the congregation. In fact, by now, the congregation of Israel had proven themselves “unfaithful”....many, many times...(sounds like me friends)and yet God showed mercy and grace to His treasured ones...(that’s out testimony too).
We could have predicted that 10 out of 12 tribal spies, who were sent by Moses to scope out Canaan, would come back with negative reports. Reports about how Israel could not defeat the armies and strongholds of Canaan....saying that it would be disastrous for Israel if they were to proceed with the invasion of Canaan.
So those faithless spies led the charge to say “no” to God when He had already commanded them to go into the land with His promise to go with them. The fearful majority discouraged the hearts of the people to follow the Lord.
Following the Lord, dear friends, is risky...dangerous...with so many unknowns...but it is glorious to do life with the Warrior King...Jesus!
For instance, the elders of ARCC are convinced that God is leading our church to buy land and build a wonderful children’s wing for our kids and a multi-purpose Worship Center for all...available for 24-7 ministry and missions.
But it’s going to take sacrificial giving on our part. But isn't that risky? We ask. It may be...but we would rather risk with Him for His glory and the spread of the gospel. Let us be filled with faith and boldness to risk “our all” for His agenda...from here to the ends of the earth.
May we encourage the hearts of our fellow members by our faith in our great God.
Back to the text...
We have all wondered why a three-week march to Canaan took 40 years. But is it really a wonder?
39 of those years was God raising up a “faithful congregation” to follow the “deaths” of the unfaithful. God would prepare the new generation to go on in and take possession of the land.
So our text tells us that God insisted that the Israeli army, clan by clan, drive the Canaanites all the way out of the land before them. There was not to be an enemy left to harass and destroy the Israelites in the present or the future. God said, “ If you allow them to live next to you, then I will do to you what I was wanting to do to them...
History has shown that some Israeli clans did not heed God’s instruction. And the immorality of the godless Canaanites infiltrated the clan and drew many away from following the Lord. And History has shown that God did to Israel what they should have done...God drove Israel out of the promised land for a long long time.
O Friends in the faith, promised land living cannot be done with one foot in worldliness and the other in God’s Kingdom. “Love not the world...neither the things that are in the world...if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Jesus, You loved people who lived in the world..but You didn't love their worldly sinning. And when Your sermons were over, You proved Your love by dying for worldly sinners like me. Thanks, Lord.
Enjoy the rest of the story...Have a great day.
