Portion for Reading: Duet 1-3
Msg : Duet 2:3
Deuteronomy 2:3 sums it up well: "You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north." At the time, the Israelites were encamped south of the Promised Land. In order to be where God intended them to enter the Promised Land, they needed to move in a northerly direction. He gave them very specific directions about who they were to encounter and who they were to avoid encountering. The important matter for them was to "decide to turn north." They could further rebel against God's leadership and suffer the consequences or they could decide to trust God's leadership. They had a choice.
Msg : Duet 2:3
Deuteronomy 2:3 sums it up well: "You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north." At the time, the Israelites were encamped south of the Promised Land. In order to be where God intended them to enter the Promised Land, they needed to move in a northerly direction. He gave them very specific directions about who they were to encounter and who they were to avoid encountering. The important matter for them was to "decide to turn north." They could further rebel against God's leadership and suffer the consequences or they could decide to trust God's leadership. They had a choice.
What a lesson for both individual Christians and churches. When we take a personal inventory of our own lives, we too probably will find those times when we have chosen our own path instead of God's way. We wandered in our own wilderness for a while. Then one day, we were awakened spiritually. Although we were ashamed of our rebellion, we discovered the Lord was giving us another opportunity to turn north. Churches have found themselves in the same situation. The Israelites didn't have a monopoly on rebellion. Most of the rebellion of churches has been of a subtle nature. They have drifted over the years far from their spiritual moorings. Many have forgotten what they were called to do; to be a witness for the Lord and an instrument of blessing to all.
We find in verses 14-15 a reminder that the Lord will "fulfill his purposes according to his conditions and timing." These verses remind us that during the years of wandering, all the fighting men except Caleb and Joshua perished. God's judgment of their unbelief was fulfilled. Let us be reminded of three things: God is sovereign
God wants us to climb high in life, and not stay at one place like the Israelites.
We find in verses 14-15 a reminder that the Lord will "fulfill his purposes according to his conditions and timing." These verses remind us that during the years of wandering, all the fighting men except Caleb and Joshua perished. God's judgment of their unbelief was fulfilled. Let us be reminded of three things: God is sovereign
God wants us to climb high in life, and not stay at one place like the Israelites.