Day Eleven - Traveling mercies . . .
Numbers 8:15 to 21:7
The Israelites are organized into tribes, the holiness code is in place, and the tabernacle is set up and furnished. Now the real journey with God begins as the people would move and encamp at the LORD's command. Their signal was the cloud that covered the tabernacle day and night. "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. 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." (9:22-23) Everything seems to be in sync for sacred and orderly travel to the Promised Land.
Oh, but wait. The people resume their complaining about the daily menu selections; there is talk of starting an uprising against the leadership and going back to Egypt; sibling rivalry erupts in the upper echelons of power; and the people allow themselves to be swayed by those who have lost their nerve and trust in the LORD. God is going to make some adjustments to the timetable and cast of characters, but he will get his people to the Promised Land!
So, do we take our cues from God, or do we leave it all up to ourselves? Do we rush to make our plans and decisions, set our own directions, charge ahead and hope that someone is following? How might we listen for God and where might we see the LORD's glory hovering over our lives?
The Israelites are organized into tribes, the holiness code is in place, and the tabernacle is set up and furnished. Now the real journey with God begins as the people would move and encamp at the LORD's command. Their signal was the cloud that covered the tabernacle day and night. "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. 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." (9:22-23) Everything seems to be in sync for sacred and orderly travel to the Promised Land.
Oh, but wait. The people resume their complaining about the daily menu selections; there is talk of starting an uprising against the leadership and going back to Egypt; sibling rivalry erupts in the upper echelons of power; and the people allow themselves to be swayed by those who have lost their nerve and trust in the LORD. God is going to make some adjustments to the timetable and cast of characters, but he will get his people to the Promised Land!
So, do we take our cues from God, or do we leave it all up to ourselves? Do we rush to make our plans and decisions, set our own directions, charge ahead and hope that someone is following? How might we listen for God and where might we see the LORD's glory hovering over our lives?
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