Tag Archives: moses

All The Difference

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Numbers 11

I laughed out loud as I usually do when reading this chapter. The Israelites are complaining. I know, shocker. This time they are sitting outside their tents wailing because they are tired of the manna God had graciously provided for them to eat every day.

I guess we’re not the first generation that thinks they need to put their emotions on public display. Take a selfie and post it on social media. Or just sit outside your tent so everyone can see you cry the ugly cry. Clicks and likes the Old Testament way.

The sound of thousands of people boo-booing must have grated on Moses’ last nerve because we read how he talked to God about it:

“WHY ME? What have I done for you to treat ME like this? Did I give birth to them? I can’t carry them myself. It’s too much for me!” Do you sense a pattern here?

I’m pretty sure most, if not all of us have a tendency to think like Moses here. “Why me?” seems to be our first response to hardship, too.

Now here comes the LOL moment. Moses says to God, “If this is how you’re going to treat me, JUST KILL ME NOW!”

I find that hilarious every time. Moses is whining about the whining of the Jews. Doesn’t that make them all whiners?

The Jews: “I’m sick of manna. I had it good in Egypt. I want meat.”

Moses: “I’m being treated unfairly. I’m sick of their complaining. I can’t take this.”

Once again the sin of self lifts its ugly head. It’s amazing God didn’t answer Moses’ plea and just wipe them all out in one felled swoop.

But God is slow to anger, with love overflowing, gracious beyond belief. Aren’t you glad?

As long as we are focused on ourselves we will be miserable, too. This fallen world comes with all kinds of trials big and small. Instead of thinking, “Me,” think “You.”

What do YOU want me to do, Lord? How can YOU use this for YOUR glory? How can YOU be seen in and through this situation as I submit to YOUR will?

It will make all the difference. Because God makes all the difference!

Too Harsh?

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Deuteronomy 34

Have you ever thought God was a bit too harsh when he prevented Moses from entering the Promised Land? Moses had tapped a rock like he’d done before to get water. Sure, he was frustrated and angry at the time, and expressed an “I’ll show you,” attitude toward the people. Sure, God had told him to speak to the rock this time, and said nothing about tapping it, so there was that. But Moses had worked hard most of his adult life, trying to get a thousand Jews into the Promised Land. One goal. One focus. Every waking minute was spent toward that end. Plus, he was a good man!

But when Moses stood right there in front of the Promised Land, steps away from realizing his goal, God slammed the door in his face.

Harsh.

Where is patience, slow to anger, abounding in love? Where is forgiveness?

Angie Smith, in her book “Seamless” published by Lifeway, said something I hadn’t considered before. It’s found on page 79:

“Moments after Moses was blocked from the promised land, God brought him into an eternal life with the Father. The loss was momentary. Temporary. It paled in comparison to what was next.”

I love that.

The consequence for his disobedience was an important lesson for the Jews, and us. It doesn’t matter who you are, disobedience of any kind is rightly punished by God. All of us are to obey God or face the consequences.

For Moses, however, his momentary disappointment was replaced by the most amazing experience of his life – entering into the arms of God in a place too wonderful for words; a place that made Moses forget the so called Promised Land without regret.

This life is full of disappointment, often caused by disobedience. There are also times of blessings as we enjoy an imperfect relationship with God. But take heart.

We believers will one day be ushered into the Presence of God where all of it – good and bad – will pale in comparison to looking into the eyes of our Savior and getting lost in His embrace.

Was God’s punishment for Moses’ sin too harsh? Believe me, Moses hasn’t given a thought to what we see as loss. Not one thought.