The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Numbers 9:22,
"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."
We read in this chapter that during the day a cloud covered the tabernacle. At night the cloud looked like fire, verse 15. Whenever the cloud lifted the Israelites set out and followed the cloud. If the cloud didn't lift they would stay in place.
From the above verse, the duration of an encampment often changed. In verse 21 we read that the cloud sometimes stayed only from evening until morning and then lifted - the Israelites would start out following it. A year could go by without it lifting and so the nation would remain encamped. In short, the Israelites never knew when or where they were going from day to day. They were to simply follow the Lord.
This was done at the Lord's command, "At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out." Verses 18 and 19.
This had the practical effect of teaching the Israelites to follow the Lord. No rhyme or reason provided by the Lord as to when and where they might move. This took place without a schedule or a map. They were simply to follow the Lord's lead.
In cultivating our faith in him, I wonder if the Lord might work in a similar manner at times in our lives. We might like to know where the Lord intends to lead us with the timeframe provided. I suspect for the most part he is not going to provide that.
In any event, this reminds me of Proverbs 16:9, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Or, how about this one, "A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? Proverbs 20:24.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"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."
We read in this chapter that during the day a cloud covered the tabernacle. At night the cloud looked like fire, verse 15. Whenever the cloud lifted the Israelites set out and followed the cloud. If the cloud didn't lift they would stay in place.
From the above verse, the duration of an encampment often changed. In verse 21 we read that the cloud sometimes stayed only from evening until morning and then lifted - the Israelites would start out following it. A year could go by without it lifting and so the nation would remain encamped. In short, the Israelites never knew when or where they were going from day to day. They were to simply follow the Lord.
This was done at the Lord's command, "At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out." Verses 18 and 19.
This had the practical effect of teaching the Israelites to follow the Lord. No rhyme or reason provided by the Lord as to when and where they might move. This took place without a schedule or a map. They were simply to follow the Lord's lead.
In cultivating our faith in him, I wonder if the Lord might work in a similar manner at times in our lives. We might like to know where the Lord intends to lead us with the timeframe provided. I suspect for the most part he is not going to provide that.
In any event, this reminds me of Proverbs 16:9, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Or, how about this one, "A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? Proverbs 20:24.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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