"Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt..." (Numbers 33:1 NIV)
The Hebrews camped forty places in forty years. That means there were forty required stops between Egypt and the Promised Land. Every stage of their journey was important enough to be included in scripture. God had Moses write them down for future generations to know the extend of their transformation story.
I can relate. I, too, have moved far too many times in my own four decades. When I consider the Israelite’s geographical track record, I am well-acquainted with their weariness. Moving is exhausting physically and emotionally. It’s hard on our bodies, obviously, but it’s hard on our brains in a more subtle way. Neurologists propose that our brains spend about 40% of the time on auto-pilot and this down-time is intentional. The drive to work, the two minutes spent brushing our teeth, the mechanical rhythms of ordinary tasks laundry and lawn-mowing are designed to give our mind respite so we can redistribute our limited energy to important things. Relocation squeezed out this self-automation. The older I get, the more my brain resents it. So this chapter in Numbers elicits strong emotion from me; maybe even a bit of resentment over my many moves. Today, though, I see something new.
We’ve said it before, the Hebrew journey from Egypt’s slavery to the Promised Land’s freedom is atype of our own expedition from the slavery of sin to the homeland of heaven. The forty designated stops in the wilderness afforded the Israelites time to learn live as sons and daughters of the living God. Similarly, we are transformed along our trek.
Today, I see each stop along the way as opportunity. The Israelites didn’t stay in one place too long, we don’t stay the same either. In God’s great love for us, He grows us up. He keeps us moving along the path of sanctification. Some sites are stopovers only: overnight or just a few days. Others are far more involved: months or years go by as we dig out the root of the issue. ALL of these destinations are essential to our character cultivation: we are deliberately moving out of slavery and towards God’s house. We cannot afford to shortcut past any campsite or we will arrive unsanctified.
Like the Hebrews, we are following an unseen travel itinerary. We are simply at the mercy of God. He alone plots the course and reveals it one coordinate at a time. (Divine Geo-caching: it’s a thing!) God tells us when to pull up tent stakes and where to drive them into the ground again. This is actually preferred; in His omniscience, God knows the territory of our heart. He is aware of exactly what needs to be addressed, what will trip us up in the days to come and what matters most this side of eternity. Like the Israelites, every stop on God’s itinerary is important. Each of our campsites are critical to our who we are becoming.
The Israelites did best when they cooperated with the instructions of God and refrained from complaint. Conversely, they suffered consequences when they were obstinate and belly-aching. It’s true for us, too. A cooperative attitude goes a long way in both our sanctification and our enjoyment of the journey.
Consider the unique views afforded on such a journey. The Israelites in the desert would have awoken to a different landscape at every campsite. Rob and I have taken to watching a travel channel lately, and recently caught an episode on Jordan. It is a dusty, barren land, but it is not without extraordinary beauty. These Hebrews were on an all-expense paid trip through a rugged and breath-taking terrain. They camped their way across some of the world’s most extreme terrain, all the while experiencing God’s provision, protection and personal presence. Imagine the vistas they took in and the wildlife they encountered along the way. Wow!
The same is true for us. We are on an extravagant sanctification tour with the living God. He has promised to provide, protect and stay present with us every step of the journey. We can quarrel and complain OR we can submit to the process and enjoy the views afforded by following God fully.
"Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him." (Psalm 128:1 NIV)
Lord, forgive us for our tendency to oppose and complain. Today we see just how unproductive that is. We now know You have a travel itinerary, and it’s a good one. Help us to trust the process and enjoy the journey; confident in Your provision, protection and presence. Amen.