Numbers 33 is quite a list. It contains Moses log of all the places he and the people of Israel camped during their trip to the Promised Land. By my count there were 42 of them, but I could be off a few. Can you imagine moving the hundreds of thousands of people, flocks, and stuff that many times. Holy big project. These moves were no piece of cake. But Moses did what God instructed, he followed God’s lead and now they are at the Jordan ready to go across to the Promised Land. God spoke to Moses again about the things they are to do when they go across. “drive out the native population….destroy their carved idols….destroy their cast images…..level their worship mounds….make yourself at home in it”. God has some very specific instructions for the people to take the land. But here is the key: “I’ve given it to you. It’s yours”. Can’t you hear God telling them. They are down to the claiming it. They merely have to go across the river, drive out the people, destroy the false religious stuff, and enjoy God’s blessing. God warns them that if they don’t follow the direction “they’ll give you endless trouble right in your own backyards”. This is serious stuff and they need to follow His direction down to the nitty gritty details.
So what if God wanted to lead you for 40 years moving you at least that many times before you get your promised land? Would you follow Him? Would you stay faithful? How did Moses do it? He stayed in constant open communication with God. We have seen him intercede and get between God and the people. We have read over and over how “God spoke to Moses” and how Moses told God how he felt and what he thought. We have seen Moses follow God almost completely, with the very bad exception of striking the rock to bring forth water rather than speaking to it. Moses has been in touch, daily and constantly, listening but most importantly obeying what God has told him to do. To describe Moses I think of a couple words – trust and obey. He was leading a bunch of people following a cloud and a pillar of fire for 40 years. One would have to wonder. He walked through a sea that had been spread by holding his arms up. He trusted God with his life over and over. And he obeyed every command as well, almost. Moses has set the example and now has the people on the verge of entering the Promised Land. He has served them well. He has done it faithfully. Moses has shown us how to lead God’s way. Are you connected to God? Are you listening to His every Word?
