Chapter Six

The week of February 26


 Wandering

With much travail the Law had been given through Moses to the people of Israel. So the entourage began their northward trek to Canaan: about 2 million people (600k men), animals, possessions, the tent of meeting and the movement of an alternating pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. The people should have been grateful for God’s provision: freedom from slavery, food and water, the plumb line of the Law. With all their quarreling and insubordination, it was only a matter of time before they would meet a dead end.

P72 How many ways are there to cook manna? Though they desired variety in their diet, should the Israelites have complained about the food? Can you remember when you complained about your provisions? How did the cook feel?

P73 How was Moses like Jesus disciples in the feeding of the 5000- 'We could not feed them if all the herds were killed or with all the fish in the sea'? Yet they were fed.

P73-4 Aaron has already been insubordinate in casting the golden calf. Now Miriam joins in challenging her brother Moses for his marrying the wrong woman. Is God fair in causing a skin disease? How is this resolved?

PP 74-77 What was the similarity between the reports of the two groups of Israelite scouts? What were their main differences? Why did the majority report become the decision? What were the long-term consequences?

PP 78-79 After 40 meandering years the grumbling people had gotten to Moses. In response to the need for water he struck the rock one too many times. The rock would bear water for all but Moses and Aaron would not be allowed to enter the promised land. Like these two, will we take things into our own hands and not finish well? If we live for God with 40 years of service as adults, will we finish well?

P 80 Grumbling transpired again and, this time, some died from snakebites. Notice how this becomes a metaphor for Jesus on the cross in John 3.

PP 81-2 It certainly is a strange story of a donkey speaking to the false prophet Balaam. Yet, is anything impossible with God?

PP 83-88 All people will ultimately die. 120 yo Moses prepared for succession by choosing 80 yo Joshua to lead Israel into Canaan. And he prepared Israel by charging them to remember: from Egypt to Sinai to Canaan. God is good; God is trustworthy. So Moses went up to Mount Nebo to die. He would not enter the promised land but he would see it. When I visited Mount Nebo in Jordan, you could see past the Jordan River, past Jericho and to the twinkling lights of Jerusalem. From Moses’ eyes this was all God’s; the Israelites just needed to take it.

Read more of the heart of Moses in Psalm 90.