By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
THE JOURNEY
Numbers 9:15–23
God’s Presence (15–16)
The Book of Numbers tells of the Hebrews’ preparations for moving into the promised land.
In these verses, the Hebrews have just erected the tabernacle, which is the place where God would meet with the Israelites. In the day a cloud covered the tabernacle, and at night fire would indicate God’s presence in the midst of Israel.
While the Israelites had a clear, visible reminder of God’s presence, today we have the Holy Spirit who resides within us (see 1 Cor. 3:16). This means that instead of needing an external tabernacle to meet with God, the Holy Spirit resides in us to guide and convict.
Faithful Direction (17–21)
When the cloud lifted from the tabernacle and moved, the Israelites would follow. This was how God directed the Israelites.
We may often wish God would be so direct in guiding us today with a visible object like the cloud, but God does direct us today. The best way to know God’s will for us is to read the Bible.
The Bible tells us how to live and how to think. The Holy Spirit within us helps to bring Scripture to mind and helps us know how God is leading us.
Together with the Bible and the Holy Spirit, prayer is an important way that we commune with God and hear God directing us. We also can talk to other believers to gain their wisdom and have them pray for us as well.
Sometimes we do not get a clear answer about what God wants for us. In instances like this, God is telling us to be patient.
David tells us in Psalm 37:7, “Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him.”
Many believers think that if they don’t have a clear answer, God is not listening to them or is ignoring them, but sometimes God wants us to be patient and trust Him.
Active Obedience (22–23)
The Israelites were sensitive to God’s leading. If the cloud remained in place for weeks or just for a matter of days, they would remain in place until God told them to move.
As Christians today, we need to be just as obedient. When God gives us a command, we need to act on it immediately.
Whether it is repenting of sin, encouraging a brother or sister in Christ or sharing the gospel, it is crucial that we are obedient. However, there are also times when we need to wait on the Lord and be patient. God has His own timetable, and we are His servants.
Sometimes in our zeal, we may think we know better than God and are disobedient in trying to be obedient. A great example of this is Saul in 1 Samuel 15. Instead of destroying everything of the Amalekites, he kept the best of the animals to sacrifice to God. Even though this sounded like a good idea, it went against God’s command, and Samuel told him, “Look, to obey is better than sacrifice” (v. 22).
Sometimes we can do something with good intentions, but if it goes against what God has told us, it is sin. The best way to avoid this is to read the Bible, pray and talk with wise Christians. We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and not rely on our own senses, even when done with the right intention.
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