What I’ve been learning in Numbers

READING: Numbers 9:15-23

This has been one of my favourite passages that I’ve read in my study Bible lately which has really spoken to me.

The Israelites are traveling in the wilderness towards the promised land under the guidance of their leader Moses, who speaks to God face to face. The Lords character is on display here, quite literally. He feeds them daily manna in the desert, provides water from a rock so He looks after their needs but the best thing is the guidance He provides. The Israelites have constructed the tabernacle according to His instructions, which is the tent of meeting where daily sacrifices are made and where the Levite priests reside to take sacrifices and where the physical presence of the Lord is kept inside the Most holy of holies, in the Ark of the covenant. This place is so holy only the high priest Aaron can go inside it once a year.

Anyway if we read the passages, the Lord literally shows the Israelites where to go, and when to go, by the cloud at day and the pillar of fire at night. The scripture describes how the Israelites move when He moves and stay when He stays. If the cloud moves after one day, they move. If it continues for days, they continue. If it stops for a month, they stop. They are under a form of protection and covenant by staying close to the Lord.

I relate this to my own season that I’m currently in. I don’t want to do anything if Gods not in it. If I’m not under his cloud and within his favour and blessing then that’s where I want to be. Even if it means waiting. And having patience. Anything I do in my own strength isn’t worth pursuing. I depend upon Him. Especially in this calling, I have been dependent upon Gods leading and guidance. How do we know we are still under the cloud and haven’t wandered off on our own to get lost or attacked in the desert?

We have to stay close to Him consistently.

I remember as a young child, I lost my mum at the store. It was terrifying. I got distracted by a shiny thing and didn’t stay close to her. Suddenly I look up and see a vacant space where she was standing and all I see are the faces of strangers who are all surely trying to kidnap me. Mum! I scream!

Terror in my voice, my lower lip trembling as I try not to cry. Moments pass as I recognize I am alone and have no idea where I am or how to get to my mum who represents safety. If I had just stayed close to her I wouldn’t be in this situation.

After what feels like hours but is only moments, the profile of my beautiful strong and protective mother swims into view through my tears and I throw myself into the comfort of her skirts.

Where did you go I cry?

I was just over there, she points, but you wandered away. You must stay close. She pulls me close and reassures me of her steadfast love and protection, as long as I stay close.

This is the love and protection of the Father. He never leaves us. He is always there even if we wander off on our own and try to do things in our own strength. The loving Father is always speaking but sometimes it’s a whisper and you must be close to hear.

Going back to the passage in Numbers 9:21-22, the scripture tells us the cloud would move without warning and that sometimes it would move daily, so the Israelites had to always keep their eye on the cloud or the pillar of fire.

This is a good reminder for us that it is a wise thing to have a daily discipline in place to spend time with Lord. The primary ways He will speak wisdom and guidance into our lives is through scripture and Prayer.

But you must stay close.

We are no longer under the old covenant.

We are in the new covenant of the blood of Jesus, through His Holy Spirit we can enter into His presence any time of the day and speak to Him. Jesus said to His disciples, don’t fret, for when I go it will be better. I will send you a friend, a gift, the Holy Spirit, who is Wonderful, mighty counsellor. This is the Spirit of God living in us.

How grateful I am to live under this new covenant where we have access to God 24/7.

And so whatever it is you are facing in your life right now.

Whether it is a wandering in the wilderness, a shift in seasons, a question of your faith, an important decision about your future, turmoil in your mind and questions that are unanswered.

Look up and check, have you drifted off from the safety of your loving parent? Have you walked off in your own strength?

Run to the Father. There will be no judgement in His eyes, only unconditional love. He will welcome you with open arms and bring peace, protection and clarity.

Just remain in Him.

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