The truth is, our God is jealous. He doesn’t share.
And true lordship can’t exist in compromise.
With that in mind, let’s go back to the story of the Israelites in Leviticus and Numbers. Much of our understanding of Scripture begins with simple observations: what words are repeated in this passage? Who is speaking? What style of writing is used?
One such observation I made throughout Numbers is this repeated reminder from God “When you come into the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as your special possession…” This wording is used several times in Leviticus 34, Numbers 13, and Numbers 34. The fact that the phrase appears not only in multiple chapters, but in multiple books makes me take notice.
Then the questions come: Why did God remind them that He was giving the land to them? What necessitates such reminders from God? What causes the Israelites to forget? Does it annoy God that He has to repeat Himself, or is He being gracious in doing so?
Our ability to discern truth from lies is contingent on our commitment to know the Word.
This is how I want all of us to read the Word. Observe. Ask questions. Let those questions point you back to scripture to seek out answers. If we don’t let God define what He said, we become subject to the world’s definition of what they heard. Then we end up in the unholiest version of the telephone game we’ve ever seen.
The truth is, God said what He said, and only He knows why He said it or what He meant by it. But He also invites us to discover what He meant. He doesn’t withhold revelation; He reveals as we pursue. So keep going. Keep asking. He will show you what He wants you to see.
As we engage with God’s word, it’s important to remember that we are not the focal point. Scripture wasn’t written to us, but it was written for us. Culture keeps us focused on “what does this mean for me?” But the truth is, we should approach Scripture with humility, seeking to learn what it meant then before we try to understand what it means for us now.
If we don’t let God define what He said, then we will be subject to the world’s definition of what they heard.
Back to the Israelites… Why did God repeat Himself, reminding them that He was giving them the promised land as their special possession? The answer lies in the experience the Israelites had. Hardship after hardship. After enduring centuries of slavery and decades of wandering in the wilderness, God’s chosen people felt anything but favored.
Their story is rife with failure, forgiveness, and faithfulness. They fail to meet God’s standard, and although He doesn’t let it go unnoticed, He deals with them mercifully. He weeds out those who are not going to cut it in the promised land – including Moses – and He walks with them as they wander, cultivating dependence and intimacy that the surrounding cultures consistently seek to upend.
It really makes you wonder… if God chose the Israelites, why did they have to endure so much pain? Perhaps this is the moment to transition from the Israelites story to ours. So much of our conversations through these blogs is centered around what we do, how we act, what we speak when life doesn’t go according to our plans.
The truth is… Scripture wasn’t written to us, but it was written for us.
It’s safe to say, the journey from the promise to the promised land did not go according to the Israelites’ plan. Likewise, the journey from encountering the Savior to understanding His salvation in the New Testament did not go according to the disciples’ plan. Culture tells us that it’s on us to figure it out, to act in our best interest.
But the truth is, we don’t know what our best interests are. Only He does. He has a plan to bring us to a desired ending. It is a plan for the advancement of His Kingdom, which means it is inherently for our good as well. Heaven on earth is not going to work against us.
Just like the Israelites, we encounter hardships. When obstacles pile up, doubt often becomes louder than faith. But the truth is, doubt is a great place for faith to arise. Listen for the reminders that God speaks. He is no respecter of persons – just as He reminded the Israelites that He was in fact giving them the land as their special possession, He will remind us.
When obstacles pile up, doubt often becomes louder than faith. But the truth is, doubt is a great place for faith to arise.
Amen, my friend! So good to hear from you.
Love, love, love your insights and applications!
Thank you 🙏🏼