Numbers 29-32
This week begins with God giving His commands to this second generation; the generation that would inherit the promised land. With the exception of Joshua and Caleb, the only two spies that believed God’s promise, the entire first generation freed from captivity has died. God declares a Holy War against that pagan people of the land. During last week’s reading, we saw the decision the children of Israel made when tempted by the people of the pagan land. God’s purpose for this people was to create a holy nation set apart for His glory. That wasn’t going to happen if they lived amongst paganism. God was purging the land, ridding it of idolatry and evil. It may seem harsh, but God is serious about ridding our lives of those things that cause us to stumble and stray and sin. I must also make mention that while God had commanded that they not commit murder, there is a difference in murder and war. He was not contradicting Himself. Today we also see that there were a couple of tribes that chose not to cross the Jordan into the promised land. They saw where the rich land before the Jordan was good for their flocks. I’m sure it was a good land, but don’t you think that since God had chosen these tribes to be herdsmen that He probably also had land for them in the promised land? Remember, he had gifted each tribe with a specific purpose. However, they chose good over God’s best. It was partially an excuse for not wanting to have to go to battle, but Moses called their bluff and commanded them to fight and then gave them the blessing to return. Have you ever thought about how often we settle for good when God has best waiting? There are times when it’s hard to see past the obstacles and trust what God has in store. These tribes never saw what could have been theirs. They never saw what God had waiting for them. They never experienced His provision and His best. They settled in a good land; they played it safe. They didn’t really suffer consequences. They weren’t punished; they simply got what they wanted. I wonder how many times I’ve done the same; missed God’s best for “good.”
This week begins with God giving His commands to this second generation; the generation that would inherit the promised land. With the exception of Joshua and Caleb, the only two spies that believed God’s promise, the entire first generation freed from captivity has died. God declares a Holy War against that pagan people of the land. During last week’s reading, we saw the decision the children of Israel made when tempted by the people of the pagan land. God’s purpose for this people was to create a holy nation set apart for His glory. That wasn’t going to happen if they lived amongst paganism. God was purging the land, ridding it of idolatry and evil. It may seem harsh, but God is serious about ridding our lives of those things that cause us to stumble and stray and sin. I must also make mention that while God had commanded that they not commit murder, there is a difference in murder and war. He was not contradicting Himself. Today we also see that there were a couple of tribes that chose not to cross the Jordan into the promised land. They saw where the rich land before the Jordan was good for their flocks. I’m sure it was a good land, but don’t you think that since God had chosen these tribes to be herdsmen that He probably also had land for them in the promised land? Remember, he had gifted each tribe with a specific purpose. However, they chose good over God’s best. It was partially an excuse for not wanting to have to go to battle, but Moses called their bluff and commanded them to fight and then gave them the blessing to return. Have you ever thought about how often we settle for good when God has best waiting? There are times when it’s hard to see past the obstacles and trust what God has in store. These tribes never saw what could have been theirs. They never saw what God had waiting for them. They never experienced His provision and His best. They settled in a good land; they played it safe. They didn’t really suffer consequences. They weren’t punished; they simply got what they wanted. I wonder how many times I’ve done the same; missed God’s best for “good.”
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