“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans (unbelievers) run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”—Jesus, Matthew 6:31-34

What has God been saying to you throughout the reading of the book of Numbers?  What have we learned from the lives of Moses and all served with him as priests.  What did we learn from the head leader of each tribe of Israel?  This is the last chapter before moving into Deuteronomy.  May we take some time to reflect on lessons learned from their examples of faith following.  I pray we avoid the pitfalls of the unfaithful and disobedient to God in our response to Him.  But, we are not perfect, so it is imperative, a matter of life or death to be still, let go, and know God.  Because who we seek first, to whom we confess our sins, and to whom we ask for wisdom and help is truly who we worship with all our hearts, minds, and souls.

Pause to prayerfully reflect—

Who do I seek first the minute I rise up to begin a new day? 

Who do I listen to and think about most?

Who do I run to first when troubles come? 

Who do I rely on for wisdom in decision making? 

Is God the first—or the last stop on the worry train of thoughts?

We plan. God decides.  If the book of Numbers is reduced to merely taking a census of His beloved; then we didn’t get the full picture of who God is and what God does in His people who seek Him with committed hearts, ready to trust and obey. 

Numbers 36

Inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters

The family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses and the leaders, the heads of the Israelite families. ² They said, “When the Lord commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot, he ordered you to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters. ³ Now suppose they marry men from other Israelite tribes; then their inheritance will be taken from our ancestral inheritance and added to that of the tribe they marry into. And so part of the inheritance allotted to us will be taken away. ⁴ When the Year of Jubilee for the Israelites comes, their inheritance will be added to that of the tribe into which they marry, and their property will be taken from the tribal inheritance of our ancestors.”

⁵ Then at the Lord’s command Moses gave this order to the Israelites: “What the tribe of the descendants of Joseph is saying is right. ⁶ This is what the Lord commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within their father’s tribal clan. ⁷ No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors. ⁸ Every daughter who inherits land in any Israelite tribe must marry someone in her father’s tribal clan, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of their ancestors. ⁹ No inheritance may pass from one tribe to another, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits.”

¹⁰ So Zelophehad’s daughters did as the Lord commanded Moses. ¹¹ Zelophehad’s daughters—Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah and Noah—married their cousins on their father’s side. ¹² They married within the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in their father’s tribe and clan.

¹³ These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God keeps His promises because God cannot lie.  God’s promises are kept and delivered in His time in His perfect way. 

God’s plan will prevail no matter what human imperfections do to delay it.  A generation of Israel disobeyed God and were not allowed to enter the Promised Land.  The succeeding generations were delayed by wandering in the desert of disobedience for forty years.  We do not have the power to change God’s plan.  God will finish the work He starts in and through us but we will pay the consequence of our sins. Moses led hundreds of thousands of people to the border of the Promised Land but he would not be allowed to enter.  When Moses will be “no more” on earth; he will enter into rest with God in heaven.  How do we know?  Moses was later sent from heaven along with Elijah to converse with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration!  (See Matthew 17)

God remembers His promises, forgives, and forgets our repented sins to Him.  Who but our God can do that for us?  No one!

God makes a way when there seems to be no way at first glance.  Ten spies who looked over the promised land said it would be unconquerable; but a minority of two, Joshua and Caleb, said with God leading us; it is completely possible.  It will be these two men of faith that God will appoint as His new leaders who will lead his people in to the Promised Land!  Yes, there is much more to come!

Our faith moves the heart of God!  Our obedience shows our love for God!

God invites us to join Him in what He has planned for us long ago—even before we were born!  But there is one condition. We must turn our backs on wandering in the wilderness of our sin of seeking self—and seek God!

What are you holding onto that is preventing you from entering God’s promised plan for you?  What is holding you back?  The past?  Fear of the future? Pause right now to seek God; no one or nothing else. Journalize your thoughts to stay focused in prayer. It is also a written record to remind us of the goodness of God!  Let us take all the time we need to in the pause to listen to God.  Our relationship with God is talking and listening.  That is the process of “Be still and know God.” (Psalm 46)

Believe, Confess, Trust, and Obey for there’s no other way to God’s unending love, the gift of peace, and inner joy delivered by the grace and mercy of God that no one can take from us. May our faith be built on the firm foundation of Jesus who paid our debt of sin which removed our sins from our being and God’s memory.  Lean into Truth who sets us free!  What are you waiting for? 

More adventures lie ahead in the book of Deuteronomy!  God will remind His People again Who He is to them and what He has done for them with distinct and detailed ways to teach Truth to all generations.  Of all the books, Jesus quotes this book the most!

Lord,

Thank you for saving our souls by your sacrifice.  May redemption is embedded in my memory.  Your deliverance of my sins is never far from my thoughts.  I may be tested and tried in troubles, but You have helped me to build my faith through it all.  Yet will I trust you. There is no one like you!  I seek you each morning because you are Life.  I’m yours and I’m listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen