Numbers 11
The part of Numbers we’ve been looking at over the last couple of days is retelling some of the story that we’ve already heard in Exodus and Leviticus. It’s in the earlier years of Israel’s time in the wilderness, they are about to set off from Mount Sinai where God gave them the law. Reading the first few books of the Bible, which each give account of Israel’s wilderness years, can sometimes feel a little repetitive but it’s a bit like reading the same news story in several different papers –each version and account has something unique to say. And isn’t it the case that so often it’s the basic things about God that we need to be reminded of again and again?
Numbers today reminds us of the importance of looking to God for guidance – the Israelites did this by following the exact moves of the cloud. Sometimes I wish we had a God-Cloud to follow, it would make tricky decisions a bit simpler – we’d just wander after it in whatever direction it took. Surely if we had a giant cloud then we’d never do anything wrong, we’d never mess it up? Being a Christian would be a piece of cake…
But that’s not the impression we get from the final bit of Numbers 11:1-3. This seems harsh because of the matter-of-fact way it describes God dealing with rebellious people, I don’t find it easy stuff to read and I’m sure you don’t. But let’s remember the context: God had saved them; He’d given them His Heart; He’d come to dwell among them and guide their every move to protect them like a dad protects his kids. And they still abused their relationship with Him.
Let’s be honest, clear guidance from God doesn’t mean we always do what He says. I’ve lost track of the number of times in my life God has spoken and I’ve been a typical Israelite – rather than rejoicing and obeying I’ve just complained and dragged my feet.
Sometimes we can get so hung up on what God hasn’t told us yet, that we forget to do what He has told us. The reality is God has given each of us really clear instructions on how to live. He arrives as Jesus and shows us more clearly than a cloud ever could.
Let’s be reminded of this truth again today. God never guides for the sake of it. He asks us to obey Him. Will we?
Reflections this week are written by a lay member for the staff team