Through Numbers Sýnishorn

The Journey 

As we conclude our devotion, the book of Numbers records various numbers. 'Numbers' starts and ends with the census of the Israelites. The first census was after God gave Moses the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. The second census was just before they entered the promised land. Because of their disobedience caused by distrust in God's word everyone except Joshua and Caleb who were above twenty years in the first census had died by the second census. 

An important principle we learn here is that trusting in God's promises encourages us to obey Him. Only when we follow God with obedience are His promises fulfilled in our life. Joshua and Caleb are a testimony to this. They believed God's word that they would inherit the land even when what they saw seemed impossible and exhausting. Their eyes were on God's promise and not on the circumstances around them. Do we get discouraged by the lack of faith of those around us? Do our difficult times make us doubt God's promises? Stay focused like Joshua and Caleb and see God fulfilling His promises in our life.

A sad reminder from Numbers is how Moses' moment of anger cost him his entry to the promised land. This incident reminds us that it's not our works but our obedience to God that matters. "To those entrusted with more, the expectation is higher" is true in Moses' life. On the outset, it seems that Moses got a raw deal. But in the light that he got to spend so much time alone with God, it seems fair. The experiences Moses had on Mount Sinai no one else was privileged to have. The way God spoke to him at the tent of meeting that his face needed to be covered should have helped him keep His calm. Having understood this, we also see later that Moses, along with Elijah, visited Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. Being denied entry into the promised land was not the end of blessings for Moses. His was blessed even after his death, including being buried by God.

God promised the land of Israel through Moses with definitive boundaries, even before the Israelites entered the promised land. The borders were not an afterthought; they were a promise to be fulfilled. May this devotion encourage you to obey God as you wait for the fulfillment of God's promises in your life.

Lord, let me always remember you are a promise keeping, zealous God. 

Additional Reading - Numbers 34-36