Life God’s way prevails

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today’s passage?

Those forty years in the wilderness have flown by - we're about to come in to land at the promised land, but not without a substantial amount of turbulence. God's plan was to build a Kingdom starting with a faithful people, but men's desires led them to embrace other gods along with the local women. Aaron's grandson Phinehas' intervention was violent but purposeful and had the effect of turning away God's anger. I'm not sure as this is an example God calls us to follow literally, but I like that God responded to one person of faith when dealing with a very large-scale problem.

On this journey, there has been a lot of guidance becoming judgement, even death, but if you pick one detail out of chapter 26, look at the number of the men of Israel. It’s almost the same as the number counted in chapter 2. Despite notable tragedies, life, God’s way, prevails.

I love that Moses, as his personal story was coming to an end, sought God for the community’s story to continue. God responded with a man filled with "the spirit of leadership." God knew that teaching was not enough to build a Kingdom. He gave people different, significant roles to work as a body for his glory and the benefit of Israel. Moses was now given the role of passing blessing and authority to Joshua. Leaders today don’t always speak well of their successors or predecessors, but this points to God's people having a bigger purpose - they were all part of God's plan which was more important than anything they could do by themselves.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God wants a pure Kingdom but not an empty one. He disciplines people when we go wrong, but responds to even small expressions of faith, and lays down structures which help us grow relationship with him and promote ongoing good life.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I'm struck by Moses' submission to God's agenda and keenness to commission a new leader properly. I like to feel indispensable, but there are times when God may be calling me to drop things either to do new things, or simply to do less for a time. I will ask God to guide my heart on this so I can have an attitude like Moses' to change which works for God's Kingdom interests.

Who am I going to share this with?

People I work and do church activity with.