Day 28 – Numbers: Theme

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (NKJV)

If there’s a crowd, complaining soon follows. At the time the book of Numbers picks up the story, Israel was camped at the foot of Mount Sinai preparing to move. A census was taken to determine the number of men eligible for military service. Next, they were set apart for His service, preparing His nation for the physical and spiritual trip.

It wasn’t long into the trek, and the complaining started. First, it was about food, then Moses’s authority as a leader and as they went their faith diminished and they continued to sin against God. As God punished with justice, Moses interceded and time-and-time again Israel was spared because of His prayers.

As they reached the outskirts of the promised land, spies were sent to report what they could expect. But the fear-filled report was scary to most (except for Caleb and Joshua). Because of Israel’s unbelieve, God decided to reroute them for 40 years before entering the land He prepared. And so, the continuous pattern of grumbling, groaning, complaining, defiance, disobedience, and death were their travel companions as the years went past for the old generation to pass and the new generation to enter.

Numbers end like it begin, with preparation. They faced many trials and overcame many enemies to finally stand on the bank of the Jordan River, ready for the promise.

Prayer: Father, so many times we doubt Your promise because of fear of what we see and hear. Teach us to put our faith in You and Your Word instead of what the enemy wants us to believe. Thank You for Your patience when we grumble and complain and for sending leaders to guide us through our own wilderness wanderings. Amen.