Numbers 7-9

In Numbers 7-9, the Israelites are still encamped at Mount Sinai.  On their designated days, leaders from each of the 12 tribes of Israel bring their offerings for the dedication of the altar.  God continues to talk to Moses in the tabernacle, and the entire community of God's people come together to lay hands on the Levites to dedicate them to the Lord for His work.  Moses consistently seeks God's guidance as He leads the Israelites, and the Israelites are faithful to all He commands.  We read a perfect example of this today in regards to celebrating the Passover.  God is with His people, literally watching over them.  

When I first started reading today, I kept thinking how these chapters are simply repeating some of what I have already read.  They forced me to do a double take, and I realized it's not without purpose.  God repeats Himself sometimes to get my attention.  Does that ever happen to you?  I can be a little slow in getting what He's trying to tell me, so I feel like I need Him to do this a lot with me.

God's relationship with His people is always growing and evolving, and I see that happening in many ways.  

First, we see it when God dedicates the Levites to do His holy work.  He sets them apart for His specific purpose, and it positively changes the entire community's relationship with God.     

16 They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own in place of the firstborn,the first male offspring from every Israelite woman.

Numbers 8:16

This shows us that though our loving God does not change, our relationship with Him gets better and better as we become more and more faithful.

Next, Moses has questions about celebrating Passover.  God answers in a way that exemplifies His compassion for His people.  

9 Then the Lord said to Moses, 10 “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the Lord’s Passover, 11 but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Numbers 9:9-11

Like the Israelites, we can trust God to answer our prayers as questions and concerns arise in real time.  Moses displays true faithfulness in the way he waits and seeks God's will before he acts.

And finally, God is with the Israelites day and night.  Sometimes, that means God wants the Israelites to stay still with Him.  And sometimes, that means God needs them to go where He takes them.    

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. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at theLord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

Numbers 9:22-23

We, too, have God's real presence and sense of direction for our day to day lives.  God's timing is everything.  

What God needs us to do for Him above all is to be faithful to Him and follow His will for our lives.  That does not change and neither does His abounding love for us.  

However, what God calls us to do in faith does change with time.  It's amazing to see what this looked like for the Israelites way back when Moses was in charge, with a cloud full of His presence.  

Today, you and I, in Christ, have the blessing of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, guiding us and directing us.

Because of God's love, mercy, and grace, when we hold on to our faith, we can face tomorrow full of hope and know that each day with Him is making us stronger and closer to His wonderful promises for us.

God wants to reveal His unfailing and ceaseless story through all of us, one day at a time. 

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank you for being a Living God who knows me and loves me.  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that guides me in staying still with You and in moving in new directions with You.  Forgive me for being too quick to act in my busy days.  Help me to seek You first in all that I do.  I want and need Your direction in my life.

I pray that You will bless ___________ with your presence and clear direction today.  They need your guidance and peace.  May they be uplifted by this prayer.

In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit,

Amen

May the Lord bless You today and keep You in His loving arms,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.