Moses and me

There’s only one more day left in 2010. 

How did you fare (or fair?) on your 2010 resolutions?

Me?  I don’t remember all that I resolved to do and I can’t find where I wrote them down.  That should tell you how successful I was. 

I read a quote the other day that said, “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s Resolutions.” 

One resolution that I know I did not keep was to blog 15 times a month.  Colossal fail.

I did manage to keep 2 of my resolutions that I remember.  Man, I wish I could find that paper I wrote them all down on.

The two resolutions I remember making are:

1. Run a 1/2 marathon—I was able to complete a 1/2 marathon, which does not make me a runner.  I wogged (walked/jogged) a half-marathon, and I have no intentions of doing that again. 

2.  Read the Bible in a year—-I’ve almost completed it.  I downloaded a schedule from  http://www.Bible-Reading.com to keep me on track.  However, it did not keep me on track and I have found myself reading 23 1/2 hours a day the past 3 or 4 days to try to complete my resolution. 

I’ve been spending much time in the Word and even though I pray for a Message to leap off the page to me, I find myself simply reading words and not understanding how they apply to me in today’s world, 2010.  Anyone else?   I’m almost finished with the whole thing, only 45 more chapters to go!!!  Later today I plan on reading Nehemiah and tomorrow finish up with Esther and Revelation.  I do love Esther.  Probably my favorite book of the Bible.  Have you read it? 

Today I wrapped up  my time with Moses.  Moses is dead, isn’t that a shocker? It’s silly,  I’ve spent so much time with him lately, that I got teary when he died today.  He worked so hard leading the people to The Promised Land and yet, he himself, didn’t get to enter.  I grieve over that.  I know that he has seen a much more plentiful, beautiful place, but I’m sad because I don’t really understand what he and Aaron did that was so bad to deserve that punishment.   I imagine him going to the top of the mountain God tells him to climb to see it with his eyes, but that he cannot enter.  I imagine his tears, his remorse, his sadness, his regret.   We’re told that he can’t enter the land promised  because of what happened at the Waters of  Meribah.  It was there the people of Israel had been grumbling like they always did because there was no water to drink, which seems like a good reason to grumble to me.  They take up their case with Moses as always saying why did you bring us out here to die, we should have just stayed slaves in Egypt.  We’d be better off there.  It tells us in Numbers 20 that Moses and Aaron threw themselves facedown before God asking for help  for the people. 

Here is what God tells them to do:  “Take the staff.   Assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron.  Speak to that rock that’s right in front of them and it will give water.  You will bring water out of the rock for them; congregation and cattle will both drink.” 

And here is what they did: 

v. 9  Moses took the staff away from God’s presence, as commanded.  He and Aaron rounded up the whole congregation in front of the rock.  Moses spoke:  “Listen, rebels!  Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?”

v. 11  With that Moses raised his arm and slammed his staff against the rock—once, twice.  Water poured out.  Congregation and cattle drank.

And then they got in trouble by God.  God told them because they didn’t trust Him and show Him reverence before the people that they couldn’t enter the land promised to them.

I’m confused.  To me ( pagan sinful me) they followed orders.  Which is quite frightening to know how badly I’m to be judged for the things I’ve done.  I do not understand what they did wrong.  Was it because they took credit for the water and did not give the glory to the Lord, or is because he hit the rock twice instead of speaking to it like he was told? 

 In Exodus 17 it says he was told to strike the rock. 

So anyway, I’m left with questions.  Moses is dead.  He did not get to enter the Land flowing with milk and honey.   Joshua will lead the people.  But with all this bad news, here is a good part. 

Moses left the people with this blessing.  With 2011 approaching, I carry this blessing of the Lord with me as I journey into my new land.  I hope you do too.  I pray our nation will also.

If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world.  All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God:

God’s blessing inside the city,

God’s blessing in the country;

God’s blessing on your children,

the crops of your land,

the young of your livestock,

the calves of your herds,

the lambs of your flocks,

God’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl;

God’s blessing in your coming in,

God’s blessing in your going out.

God will lavish you with good things; children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land, the land that God promised your ancestors that he would give you.  God will throw open the doors of his sky vaults and pour rain on your land on schedule and bless the work you take in hand.  You will lend to many nations but you yourself won’t have to take out a loan.  God will make you the head, not the tail;  you’ll always be the top dog, never the bottom dog, as you obediently listen to and diligently keep the commands of God, your God, that I am commanding you today.  Deuteronomy 28 The Message.

Did you hear that?  That’s a blessing on ‘pert near everything.  Everything you set your hand.  He will open his sky vaults, his heavens, and rain down blessings on us if we follow his commands.

May 2011 be your best year ever!