In the seventies, there was a song we used to sing. The lyrics say:
This world
is not my home.
I am just
a-passing through.
My treasures
are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
Angels beckon
me to heaven’s open door,
And I can’t
feel at home in this world anymore.”
Yes, the Christian life is a journey, much like the people whom God had rescued from
Egypt’s bondage and set out on a journey to the promised land. From Egypt,
it took the Lord three months to get the people of Israel to Horeb, which is
also known as the wilderness of Sinai. And there at Horeb, they camped for two
years. It was here Moses was summoned up to Mount Sinai where God first gave
the Law, then the instructions to build the Tabernacle, and then the
establishment of the priesthood. The details were described in the book of
Exodus. Then in Leviticus, God gave them instructions on how He wanted to be
worshipped, as well as when and what sacrifices and feasts to be made and
celebrated. And in the earlier chapters of Numbers, we saw the taking of the census
of fighting men as well as the Levites, the workers of the Tabernacle. We also
saw the anointing and consecration of the Tabernacle, the Priests, and the
Levites. God was preparing the people of Israel for the march forward in their
journey. And we shall discover more lessons as their journey progressed. It
took two years for the LORD to set
the foundation for them.
In reading Numbers 11:11-36, we get the impression that the journey for the people of Israel was off to a good start. Let it be known that while as wonderful as a good start to any journey is, it is critical that we end well and reach our destination and our goal. As promised, the LORD led them by the cloud. Verse 11 tells us the time they set out in their march forward as led by the cloud. The journey they had embarked upon was to be a God-centric journey. God would be at the center of it all. His presence would be there to guide them. The people of Israel followed the instructions of God and in an orderly way, they broke camp.
The forward march was orderly with the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun leading the way forward. They were followed by the dismantled Tabernacle, carried by the sons of Gershon and Merari. Following the dismantled Tabernacle were the next three tribes: Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. Then the holy objects such as the Ark, the golden lampstand, and etc, bore by the sons of Kohath before the next three tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin took their positions. The rear was covered by the last three tribes namely: Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, which formed the rear guard.
Whether we detect it or not the mention of the fighting men and army led by their leaders was intended to show us that there would be warfare on the journey. That was one of the reasons why the silver trumpets were made. They were made to give the battle call. This is to remind us that we have to be prepared for battle in our spiritual journey with the Lord. The enemy is ever before us!
Like the children of Israel in their journey, we need to know that our Christian journey must also be Christ-centred. We must also anticipate warfare along our journey to that heavenly Zion. Hence, we must take heed of Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 6:10-11. We must “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. And we must also “Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” For us who have genuinely put our trust in the Lord, our greatest assurance is that we will never be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus. In Him, we shall overwhelmingly conquer! Our victory in Christ is assured, Hallelujah!
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