I wonder how many times the people of Israel broke camp and moved on. We’re told their stay could simply be an overnight or up to a year. In our previous readings, we learned how God instructed the people to be orderly in the process. I’m sure after a few moves it became easier and easier to get into the “habit” of moving.
Do you think the people felt comforted knowing God’s presence was there in the cloud? Perhaps over time they began to take for granted this visible sense of God’s presence in their midst. What I liked about this reading was how the people obeyed. Their every move was in response to a command from God.
The people learned to trust and follow God in a profound way. People today could use a fiery cloud to get them moving in the right direction, don’t you think? God wanted his people to be set apart, and he wanted them to depend on him. You could say that we’re like nomads wandering around in the wilderness trying to find our way in life. Without God, we stay lost.
What else do we see or understand from this reading? God is not predictable. He didn’t allow the people to get set in their ways or begin to fall into a routine. It’s possible they would then become less reliant on God if they knew what to expect. Does this help us in any way knowing God wants to keep our relationship with him fresh and new?
Sometimes I have a hard time making decisions, even what to prepare for supper. To only have to rely on God to tell me when it’s time to move would take away so much stress of wondering what was best. God’s wisdom was poured out for the people of Israel in a tangible way. Their only job was to obey, and the text says they did.
We know that the people of Israel wandered around in the desert for forty years. That’s a long time for God to be moving them around. But in this situation, God’s people were obedient. I can understand why God would not want to rush their arrival to the Promised Land. There they would be scattered and influenced by the pagans living in the land.
Reflect on Psalm 62:5-8 and how it beautifully speaks of our dependence on God.
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”
How can you be more like the people of Israel, waiting on God and placing your trust in him? Think of something happening in your life right now that you can turn over to God.
Let’s pray. Lord, I love you with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and I want you to be the leader of my life. Thank you for stepping into my mess and making things better. Give me the patience to wait on your perfect timing for the things I want to happen right away. May my eyes be fixed on you. Lead me in the way you want me to go. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
