Sunday - January 6, 2013 - Wandering
Reading:Numbers 11: 16-27
16So the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you. 17I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself. 18And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wailed in the hearing of the Lord, saying, ‘If only we had meat to eat! Surely it was better for us in Egypt.’ Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. 19You shall eat not only one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, 20but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you—because you have rejected the Lord who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’” 21But Moses said, “The people I am with number six hundred thousand on foot; and you say, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month’! 22Are there enough flocks and herds to slaughter for them? Are there enough fish in the sea to catch for them?” 23The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”
24So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. 25Then the Lordcame down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again. 26Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp.
Prayer of the Day: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” So that we may live our lives for you, in Jesus name. Amen. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Today we are reminded of the journey that the Hebrew people took within the wilderness. After enduring the slavery that God had set them free from, the people begged to return. They actually wanted to be slaves. They were looking back at the good old days and were remembering the good times, the things that they had but were not thankful for what they had. They had forgotten about the hard work, the crack of the whip, and their very lives being controlled by someone else. Looking back is something that we should do to a degree. It is important to be reminded of where a person has come from, but they should be reminded of all the aspects. We should be reminded of all the hard work that it took for them to actually scrape by with a living. The process of what it was actually like and all the conditions, for only by doing that and looking at the big picture of where we are today can we actually say, if this is a better present.
For the Hebrew people, they had left a life of slavery but within Egypt, they were given homes, food, and were protected by the Egyptian army. It was on their shoulder, through their hard work that Egypt truly flourished as a nation and was seen as the richest nation of the time. Yes, because of their blood sweat and tears, their very lives; this nation was great. After the Hebrew people left, Egypt has never fully recovered. This was the life that they wanted to return to. They would rather be slaves within the richest land than be free within the wilderness. Even bearing witness to all the miracles that set them free from the land of Egypt, the Hebrew people still did not trust God to provide for them a land that would be better than where they had left.
God provided food for them to eat in manna. They did not have to work for it because it fell from the sky. Yet, remember they are human. What God gives to them, they want more. The Hebrew people whined and complained about everything they could. Their whining and complaining was too much for one man to handle, so Moses turned to God for help. Remember this was not just a small group of people, this was millions of people complaining. God had Moses gather together seventy elders, people of wisdom and respect from among the people to help solve the problems that were arising. These seventy elders were gathered at the tent, the same tent that Moses met to speak with God. God bestowed upon these elders the spirit of God, the same spirit that rested upon Moses was now shared among these men. Yet even among these chosen few, not all came to the council meeting.
God heard the cries of his people and provided for them the very meat that they wanted. God provided quail for the people to eat. The people did not even have to get their bow and arrows to shoot them down because God caused them to fall from the sky. However, be careful for what you pray for because when you get it, God will provide it to sustain you. God gave them so much quail that it says within the scripture that it was coming out of their nostrils. For each person gathered at minimum 10 homers. No that is not a Simpson’s reference. A homer was like a bushel made up 6-14. But now they were given the meat that they wanted, but they had to carry it on their journey.
With all that God had provided for them, they made their journey to the land of Canaan. Remember this is the promised land that God said they would receive and they are already there. It hasn’t been forty years for them to travel but a few weeks. Before entering the land, Moses sent spies in to the land to see what it is like. If the land was good or poor. The spies went forth and found a bountiful land filled with grapes, figs, and other goods that the people could enjoy. However, they also found the land inhabitated. The lands were controlled by Nephilim, giants who lived in well fortified cities. Now these are the same Nephilim that are within the creation stories. They are the sons of Anak. Nephilim is an interesting hebrew word for it means giants, but it also means great warriors. These great warriors were the son of Anak or sons of Ishmael. Remember, Ishmael and Isaac, Isaac who becomes Israel, whose descendants become the Hebrew people. Ishmael was a mighty warrior, a man’s man who lived off the land, who was big and hairy. His descendants apparently still carried on many of the features. Isaac was a smaller boy, and thus the Hebrew people apparently still possessed many of his features.
The reports came back from the spies that the land was good but they would have to face the giants in battle in order to possess the land. However, the people became afraid. The Hebrew people had been slaves and had never had to fight in battle. I am sure some of them helped officers in battle but were not trusted enough with weapons for fear they would rise up against the Egyptians with the enemy. Though God had said that he would give the land over to the people, the people did not trust God would do this. It is easy to have faith when someone else is fighting the battle, but when you have to fight; it can be hard to have the faith and trust in God. For truly when the hard times and struggles come upon us, we find where our faith truly lies and how strong that faith is.
These slaves believed in what they knew. They were slaves in the land of Egypt. It is familiar and comfortable, let’s go back to that. Even Joshua and Aaron, the second in command of Moses and Moses’ brother the priest, would not convince them to have faith in God. The people actually rebelled against Moses. The people did not believe in God, did not trust God, and so for that God threatened to destroy the people. Moses interceded and gave to them. God killed the spies that entered the land except Joshua and Caleb. The army gathered to invade the land, but God was not with them because they did not trust in God. With many of the men crushed, the people weakened, they were cast out into the wilderness by the people and by God to wander and search. During this time, they were also strengthened and depended more upon God. They were reminded of what God had done for them in leading them out of the land of Egypt. The lessons that God had given to them through the Ten Commandments and restores their numbers.
It is from this time that the Hebrew people created a prayer and a tradition that is still practiced today. The prayer is known as the Shema. Shema is the first word of the prayer and it translates to Hear. The Shema is the prayer that we prayed as the prayer of the day. For many Jewish people they still practice this prayer, not simply as words but as actions. Writing the words upon their door posts. They will wrap leather straps around their arms and around their heads while they pray to remind themselves that the prayers and their faith is something that they live out within their lives. It should be upon their hearts, their minds, reflected in their actions, even the things that they have were given by God and above of all their children. Their children were given to them by God and so should also know these words. To help themselves remember it and their children remember it, they sing the prayer.
For many of you, you will have times within your life in which you feel you are wandering. You want to strengthen your understanding of God, know more about who God is and what God is asking of you. Enter into the word, learn the writings of God and then live them. But do not do it alone, for it is meant to be done as a community. By doing this you will be able to have the word of God shape your heart, shape your mind, shape your the community and shape the world.
So go study the very word of God, learn of what God has done for you so that you may be an instrument in changing the world. Amen.
16So the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you. 17I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself. 18And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wailed in the hearing of the Lord, saying, ‘If only we had meat to eat! Surely it was better for us in Egypt.’ Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. 19You shall eat not only one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, 20but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you—because you have rejected the Lord who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’” 21But Moses said, “The people I am with number six hundred thousand on foot; and you say, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month’! 22Are there enough flocks and herds to slaughter for them? Are there enough fish in the sea to catch for them?” 23The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”
24So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. 25Then the Lordcame down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again. 26Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp.
Prayer of the Day: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” So that we may live our lives for you, in Jesus name. Amen. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Today we are reminded of the journey that the Hebrew people took within the wilderness. After enduring the slavery that God had set them free from, the people begged to return. They actually wanted to be slaves. They were looking back at the good old days and were remembering the good times, the things that they had but were not thankful for what they had. They had forgotten about the hard work, the crack of the whip, and their very lives being controlled by someone else. Looking back is something that we should do to a degree. It is important to be reminded of where a person has come from, but they should be reminded of all the aspects. We should be reminded of all the hard work that it took for them to actually scrape by with a living. The process of what it was actually like and all the conditions, for only by doing that and looking at the big picture of where we are today can we actually say, if this is a better present.
For the Hebrew people, they had left a life of slavery but within Egypt, they were given homes, food, and were protected by the Egyptian army. It was on their shoulder, through their hard work that Egypt truly flourished as a nation and was seen as the richest nation of the time. Yes, because of their blood sweat and tears, their very lives; this nation was great. After the Hebrew people left, Egypt has never fully recovered. This was the life that they wanted to return to. They would rather be slaves within the richest land than be free within the wilderness. Even bearing witness to all the miracles that set them free from the land of Egypt, the Hebrew people still did not trust God to provide for them a land that would be better than where they had left.
God provided food for them to eat in manna. They did not have to work for it because it fell from the sky. Yet, remember they are human. What God gives to them, they want more. The Hebrew people whined and complained about everything they could. Their whining and complaining was too much for one man to handle, so Moses turned to God for help. Remember this was not just a small group of people, this was millions of people complaining. God had Moses gather together seventy elders, people of wisdom and respect from among the people to help solve the problems that were arising. These seventy elders were gathered at the tent, the same tent that Moses met to speak with God. God bestowed upon these elders the spirit of God, the same spirit that rested upon Moses was now shared among these men. Yet even among these chosen few, not all came to the council meeting.
God heard the cries of his people and provided for them the very meat that they wanted. God provided quail for the people to eat. The people did not even have to get their bow and arrows to shoot them down because God caused them to fall from the sky. However, be careful for what you pray for because when you get it, God will provide it to sustain you. God gave them so much quail that it says within the scripture that it was coming out of their nostrils. For each person gathered at minimum 10 homers. No that is not a Simpson’s reference. A homer was like a bushel made up 6-14. But now they were given the meat that they wanted, but they had to carry it on their journey.
With all that God had provided for them, they made their journey to the land of Canaan. Remember this is the promised land that God said they would receive and they are already there. It hasn’t been forty years for them to travel but a few weeks. Before entering the land, Moses sent spies in to the land to see what it is like. If the land was good or poor. The spies went forth and found a bountiful land filled with grapes, figs, and other goods that the people could enjoy. However, they also found the land inhabitated. The lands were controlled by Nephilim, giants who lived in well fortified cities. Now these are the same Nephilim that are within the creation stories. They are the sons of Anak. Nephilim is an interesting hebrew word for it means giants, but it also means great warriors. These great warriors were the son of Anak or sons of Ishmael. Remember, Ishmael and Isaac, Isaac who becomes Israel, whose descendants become the Hebrew people. Ishmael was a mighty warrior, a man’s man who lived off the land, who was big and hairy. His descendants apparently still carried on many of the features. Isaac was a smaller boy, and thus the Hebrew people apparently still possessed many of his features.
The reports came back from the spies that the land was good but they would have to face the giants in battle in order to possess the land. However, the people became afraid. The Hebrew people had been slaves and had never had to fight in battle. I am sure some of them helped officers in battle but were not trusted enough with weapons for fear they would rise up against the Egyptians with the enemy. Though God had said that he would give the land over to the people, the people did not trust God would do this. It is easy to have faith when someone else is fighting the battle, but when you have to fight; it can be hard to have the faith and trust in God. For truly when the hard times and struggles come upon us, we find where our faith truly lies and how strong that faith is.
These slaves believed in what they knew. They were slaves in the land of Egypt. It is familiar and comfortable, let’s go back to that. Even Joshua and Aaron, the second in command of Moses and Moses’ brother the priest, would not convince them to have faith in God. The people actually rebelled against Moses. The people did not believe in God, did not trust God, and so for that God threatened to destroy the people. Moses interceded and gave to them. God killed the spies that entered the land except Joshua and Caleb. The army gathered to invade the land, but God was not with them because they did not trust in God. With many of the men crushed, the people weakened, they were cast out into the wilderness by the people and by God to wander and search. During this time, they were also strengthened and depended more upon God. They were reminded of what God had done for them in leading them out of the land of Egypt. The lessons that God had given to them through the Ten Commandments and restores their numbers.
It is from this time that the Hebrew people created a prayer and a tradition that is still practiced today. The prayer is known as the Shema. Shema is the first word of the prayer and it translates to Hear. The Shema is the prayer that we prayed as the prayer of the day. For many Jewish people they still practice this prayer, not simply as words but as actions. Writing the words upon their door posts. They will wrap leather straps around their arms and around their heads while they pray to remind themselves that the prayers and their faith is something that they live out within their lives. It should be upon their hearts, their minds, reflected in their actions, even the things that they have were given by God and above of all their children. Their children were given to them by God and so should also know these words. To help themselves remember it and their children remember it, they sing the prayer.
For many of you, you will have times within your life in which you feel you are wandering. You want to strengthen your understanding of God, know more about who God is and what God is asking of you. Enter into the word, learn the writings of God and then live them. But do not do it alone, for it is meant to be done as a community. By doing this you will be able to have the word of God shape your heart, shape your mind, shape your the community and shape the world.
So go study the very word of God, learn of what God has done for you so that you may be an instrument in changing the world. Amen.
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