I’ve read this before but never thought about how God’s first acts towards (complaining) Israel, newly freed Israel, was one of provision and setting up the sabbath day rest. We read Matthew yesterday about Jesus’ yoke, His rest. It’s for our benefit, and a time to certainly reflect on God’s provision. I also was thinking about how Moses, who just went through this nearly year long ordeal with pharaoh and how stressful that must have been for Moses, and now immediately he is dealing with the ‘children’ of Israel. Cathy and I are certainly no stranger to the whining and complaining and pushing back against the rules, like Moses we never seem to get a break, like literally, never. But like Moses we need to faithfully and accurately translate what God says to them. Like he says in 16:10 “your complaints are not against us but against the LORD”. Tell it to the Boss
We were really encouraged by your comments during our family reading this evening - thanks for that! I think it's ok and legitimate to look at our messy, broken lives, and say, "man, what a mess; this is busted" and then talk to the LORD about it, ask him for help...and then follow his lead. Sometimes (like you said) he leads us to provision and rest. I guess so that we're prepared for the journey that lies ahead, and the challenges that come with being his set-apart, called out people. - jeffrey
...I wonder... if the leaders of "tens" were fathers... if the leaders of "fifties" were something like synagogue rulers or rabbis, leading community groups of different families... if the leaders of "hundreds" would have been the elders of the cities (well, at this point, maybe clans?)... if the leaders of "thousands" would have been the great Sanhedrin (or maybe, at this point, tribal leadership?
No matter how it was organized - then, in the history of Israel, or some version of it still used today for governance, (political and/or religious) - it was a good plan to invest training and leadership in competent men who trusted in the LORD and were faithful to the one in whom they trusted.
...it's also good advice for us, no matter how much or how little we're responsible for. - jeffrey
It's interesting to me that God uses Moses to strengthen the army of Israel. First of all, the people were angry, and so God kind of gives the people a way to get their anger out. (the battle) And then, he uses Moses to strengthen the people. It seems as if God is showing the Israelites that God is on their side. Right after the people complain, God gives the people some distraction, and encouragement. Cool. -Christopher
...maybe not *distraction*, because that implies getting them off-task or losing focus on what they should be paying attention to. Maybe he was (still does!) bring things into their (our) lives that will bring purpose and direction. - jeffrey
I’ve read this before but never thought about how God’s first acts towards (complaining) Israel, newly freed Israel, was one of provision and setting up the sabbath day rest. We read Matthew yesterday about Jesus’ yoke, His rest. It’s for our benefit, and a time to certainly reflect on God’s provision. I also was thinking about how Moses, who just went through this nearly year long ordeal with pharaoh and how stressful that must have been for Moses, and now immediately he is dealing with the ‘children’ of Israel. Cathy and I are certainly no stranger to the whining and complaining and pushing back against the rules, like Moses we never seem to get a break, like literally, never. But like Moses we need to faithfully and accurately translate what God says to them. Like he says in 16:10 “your complaints are not against us but against the LORD”. Tell it to the Boss
ReplyDeleteWe were really encouraged by your comments during our family reading this evening - thanks for that! I think it's ok and legitimate to look at our messy, broken lives, and say, "man, what a mess; this is busted" and then talk to the LORD about it, ask him for help...and then follow his lead. Sometimes (like you said) he leads us to provision and rest. I guess so that we're prepared for the journey that lies ahead, and the challenges that come with being his set-apart, called out people.
Delete- jeffrey
Fun trivia: How did Moses know which rock the water would come out of?
ReplyDelete- jeffrey
...I wonder...
ReplyDeleteif the leaders of "tens" were fathers...
if the leaders of "fifties" were something like synagogue rulers or rabbis, leading community groups of different families...
if the leaders of "hundreds" would have been the elders of the cities (well, at this point, maybe clans?)...
if the leaders of "thousands" would have been the great Sanhedrin (or maybe, at this point, tribal leadership?
No matter how it was organized - then, in the history of Israel, or some version of it still used today for governance, (political and/or religious) - it was a good plan to invest training and leadership in competent men who trusted in the LORD and were faithful to the one in whom they trusted.
...it's also good advice for us, no matter how much or how little we're responsible for.
- jeffrey
It's interesting to me that God uses Moses to strengthen the army of Israel. First of all, the people were angry, and so God kind of gives the people a way to get their anger out. (the battle) And then, he uses Moses to strengthen the people. It seems as if God is showing the Israelites that God is on their side. Right after the people complain, God gives the people some distraction, and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteCool.
-Christopher
...maybe not *distraction*, because that implies getting them off-task or losing focus on what they should be paying attention to. Maybe he was (still does!) bring things into their (our) lives that will bring purpose and direction.
Delete- jeffrey
True, that's a good thought. Thanks.
Delete-Christopher