GOOD MORNING, SIBLINGS!

Today’s readings are Numbers 33-34

Click here to read today’s passages on BibleGateway.

Rabbit Trails

Moses wrote down their starting places, stage by stage, by command of YHWH, and these are their stages according to their starting places. Numbers 33:2

The people were taking two journeys in these books. They were on a physical journey and a spiritual journey.

YHWH’s plan was for them to make progress in both journeys along the way: Towards the promised land and towards their destiny as His chosen people. In both ways, there were a lot of miles to cover!

However, the Israelites were not happy with the Father’s pace. They wanted to move at their own pace. They would become restless when they camped in one place too long and then be glad to be moving again, despite the direction.

Have you ever been this way? I sure have! When I first dedicated myself to reading the Bible, I had so many questions that I wanted immediate answers for. Sometimes I’d find a person or a website to give me that quick fix answer but those were shallow sprouts, with no foundational roots to cement them in my mind or my understanding. My wisest friends, the ones I am most grateful for to this day, simply nodded in understanding of my questions and encouraged me to keep reading. BOY, did they frustrate me at the time!

But this forced me to continue in the Word. And sure enough, it wasn’t long before I began to see that understanding some answers required a depth and wisdom that is lost when we take them out of context. The wholeness of His wisdom is gleaned from the whole book and, as frustrating as it may be at times, the Father has been so very patient that it is a small thing for Him to ask us to be patient with Him and with ourselves we continue in His word. He will reveal in His time.

I’ve learned that it is better to focus on what He is teaching us rather than what we want to know.

That will come later. YHWH first.

Numbers 34:55 The Father is telling His people to drive out the Canaanites from the land they would inherit. If they don’t do this, He says, He will give them the same punishment He had planned for the Canaanites. The Father knows that if Israel lives among the Canaanites they will end up worshipping idols and committing other travesties. Later, we will see all of this taking place as we find the Israelites intermarrying with these people in direct opposition to the word of YHWH – which leads to the first mass divorce when YHWH cleans house.  If only we did it His way the first time around! 

Yesterday I touched on the western (Greek) way of thinking and how we struggle with some things when we approach the Word from this mindset. I want to elaborate on that some today.

This is a concept I came across some years ago and as I delved deeper into it I found that my mindset had played a significant role in putting up roadblocks between myself and the Father. It’s a great rabbit trail for you to take but I wanted to share this graphic I found to introduce and further explain the concept. Unfortunately, while I was able to find this graphic many places, I was unable to find an original source to credit. The ministry logo in the corner yielded no fruit and so I’m sharing it directly with you here.
Addendum: I created my own graphic explained the concept a bit more in depth below. You can get a printable PDF of this on this post.

Do you recognize our culture in this chart? The world teaches us to utilize Greek thinking but the Father teaches us to utilize a Hebrew mindset, trusting in Him first.

Take some time to think over this today and examine yourself. In what areas are you utilizing a Greek mindset when it comes to the Father? In what ways is it easier for you to utilize a Hebrew mindset?

Father, we praise you and thank you for your Word.

Please give us the wisdom and desire to trust wholeheartedly in you first and above all else.

KEEP READING

Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21

We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!

May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!

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Christy Jordan
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