Day 4

More than an number

This one is always a sneaky one. You see only 31 chapters when you go to start and assume it must be a shorter read. Gets me every time! I thought it was a cool thing how in a book mostly known for its counting of people and offerings, God starts by instructing Moses of a few people to have help him with the census. It reminded me that no one is a number or a stat to God. He knows each of us intimately and by name. So far, we have observed how relational God is, that he established relationships by rescue, and that his holiness sets the terms of the relationship. Let’s venture today to make an observation about us.

We do not trust God. To trust God is a deeply counterpractice for our nature. This starts in Genesis when Adam and Eve don’t know if they can trust that God isn’t holding out on them, and just continues from there. But a lack of trust in God is a major theme in Numbers from Moses, to rebellious detractors, to the mob mentality of Israel. I had never caught that God specifically notes Moses’ lack of trust as why he will not lead Israel into the land in the second water from the rock moment.

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” Numbers 20:12

God’s issue with Moses and Aaron is that they didn’t trust him enough to do what he said. Then you have the list of detractors who question the people God has put in areas of leadership, which by the way notice God takes that as a questioning of him, not the leaders in place. Miriam and Aaron question Moses and the gang, while Korah questions Aaron and the Levites. Then you have to notice the theme of how often the mob mentality of the people comes up, as every time something doesn’t go their way because they are thirsty, want different food, or are discouraged by their own rebellion, they ask to go back to Egypt! Think about how insane that request is! “I wish we were slaves under a merciless slave driver again!” But as evident and frustrating as the lack of trust Israel has in God, and trust me, we are just getting started, we have to take a moment and look in the mirror.

Every time I choose to do things my own way instead of God’s way or even edit God’s way slightly, I am guilty of the same lack of trust Moses and Aaron show God. When I am frustrated with decisions made by leaders in our country, city, and even church, I am prone to speak poorly of leaders and question them— but I am just the same as the detractors questioning God’s wisdom in who he has placed in authority (big theme in the New Testament, BTW). I am also quite guilty of pining after something different than what God is calling me to now, much like the Israelites pining for Egypt. You and I are terrible at trusting God. It’s why rehearsing all God has done in our lives, like we talked about on day 2, is so important! It reminds us that he is worthy of our trust when we are so prone to forget. Have you failed to trust him recently? I have. So let’s repent and remind ourselves of his faithfulness and goodness. Stir up trust because if you don’t, you will quickly find yourself not trusting him.

TLDR:

• Human Lack of Trust: Humans struggle to trust God, a theme evident from Genesis to the Israelites’ rebelliousness in Numbers.

• Consequence of Lack of Trust: Moses’ lack of trust in God, specifically in the second water from the rock incident, prevented him from leading Israel into the promised land.

• Lack of Trust in God: Israelites’ lack of trust in God, manifesting in questioning leaders, desiring Egypt, and disobeying God’s commands.

• Human Tendency to Lack Trust: We, like the Israelites, struggle with trusting God, often questioning leaders, seeking alternative paths, and forgetting God’s past faithfulness.

• Importance of Trusting God: Recognizing and repenting for lack of trust, remembering God’s faithfulness, and cultivating trust to avoid falling into patterns of disobedience.