Numbers is the fourth book in the Old Testament, and it continues the story of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, as they travel toward the land God had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This book gets its name, Numbers, from the census or numbering of the tribes of Israel. As we learned from last week’s post, the census was to determine the number of fighting-age men available for battle when they encountered enemies along the way. https://www.cosdavis.com/preparing-for-the-battle/.
At this point in the story, Israel had been at Mount Sinai for about a year. This year away from Egypt had been tumultuous and trying for God and his leader, Moses. Despite their rebellion and the subsequent idolatry, God had forgiven them and made a new covenant. The Tabernacle, where God would dwell among them, has been completed and set up in the midst of the tribes, symbolizing His constant presence as they moved forward. A cloud remained above the tabernacle while they were to remain where they were, and would be lifted when they were to move ahead on their way to the Promised Land. As we come to today’s study, it is time for the people to move ahead. We pick up the story in Numbers 10: 11-13.
“Now it came about in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, that the cloud was lifted from over the tabernacle of testimony; and the sons of Israel set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. So they moved out for the first time according to the commandment ot the Lord through Moses.”
Is there something in this text we need to recognize as God’s people? Perhaps the message is subtle and difficult to see, but it is tremendously important. The message? The walk of faith is never static; life’s circumstances challenge us to move forward in our faith in God. God wants us to grow in our love for and faith in Him, and that requires that we face challenges and difficulties. We don’t grow when life is comfortable and easy, so God allows and sometimes orchestrates situations to test and prove what we are made of.
What do you think would have happened if He had allowed Israel to remain where they were? They would have become content, and God’s plan for them to reach the Promised Land would be scrapped. But He would not allow that to happen. Spiritual contentment is a dangerous thing because we get lazy and miss so much God wants to teach us and prepare us for the challenges He knows are coming our way. When we become content, we can be easily discouraged in hard times, lose our joy, and get stuck in our anger and frustration with God. Are you stuck and unable to move ahead? If so, are you willing to seek God’s will in your circumstances and do what you can to move ahead?
There’s a remarkable and difficult passage in James that applies here. I don’t particularly like it, and you may not either, but here it is.
“Consider it all joy, brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously, and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting, for ut the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:2-6
Numbers 10:13-28 tells us that, in God’s timing and the prescribed order, the Israelites took down the tabernacle and began the journey into territory where they had never been. What happens next is worth a comment or two.
Numbers 10:29 tells us that Moses did something very wise; he enlisted the help of a kinsman who was familiar with the territory through which he would lead the people. Moses said to Hobab, “We are setting out to the place of which the Lord has said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will do you good, for the Lord has promised good concerning Israel.” Hobab initially refused Moses’ offer, but Moses was able to change his mind, and would, as Moses said, ” Be as eyes for us.”
What are my comments about this? God expects and allows us to use common sense as we attempt to follow His will. We are not robots without a brain; we are encouraged to partner with God to do His work. God will guide us as we move ahead, and He expects us to discern what needs to happen and to do what we can. I often say to people who are struggling with difficult circumstances, ” God will meet you at the point of your effort.” He will not fix or solve problems for you, but He will enable you to work through them and to grow as you do it.
Here are four pieces of advice about dealing with difficult circumstances:
- Accept the reality of your situation; problems do not go away.
- Don’t get stuck in your problem. Keep moving ahead; don’t give up. Keep trying.
- Ask God for wisdom to understand what you can learn from the problem, what you need to do now, and the steps you need to take to address your challenge. See the passage above from the book of James.
- Depend on the Holy Spirit to guide you. Allow common sense to kick in, but always make room for the Spirit to override or confirm your direction. Common sense and the Spirit’s leadership can be closely similar.
How do we move through our problems and live faithfully? Here’s a post I did some time ago that you may find helpful.https:// ww.cosdavis.com/faithful-change