How does the desert look after 40 years of Exodus?
It wasn't just Charlton Heston out there. Or even just Moses. God's census Numbers 1:17-46 says over 600,000 men. Not even just 600,000 men. A cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night.
The Children of Israel desert wasn't just fed, it was comforted.
Now, you might be tempted to say, "No, no, no Biblically the Exodus was filled with hungry, angry, bad news, bad travels." Yes, true. I'm thinking about after 40 ish years had passed. Around Mount Nebo, after battles had been won. And 40 years had gone by, learning about what had been overwhelming. Being Comforted and Helped by the Holy Spirit.
I once heard a Sermon about the women of the Bible compared to traits of Disney Princesses. No, I'm not saying the Exodus became a technicolor Barbie's Adventure. I'm saying the Desert was sheltered with the Children of Israel. Instead of a harsh, overwhelming horror, Comfort, work, teaching, Love, God had rounded the corners. It was nice enough to not cause the Children of Israel to mutiny at beautiful, oasis like Jericho. God had nurtured them to being in His Plan.
The Children of Israel arrived looking for a Land of Milk and Honey. Today, when a traveler moves from Egypt to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Israel looks like a Land of Milk and Honey. Pilgrimage trips to Israel return home to say Israel does not, not, not look like This:
In fact, this Photo is people walking the desert of the Exodus without, minus, lacking 40 years of Cloud by Day and Pillar of Fire by night.
Today, the Jezreel Valley is the route Mary took to visit Elizabeth. Joseph walked with Pregnant Betrothed Mary. Jesus went about Healing, Loving and Being the Grace of God.
... Winter...
Autumn Jezreel Valley
Yes Rain, maybe prompted by vast time in irrigation
Early Summer
40 Years in Comfortable Shoes and Clothing that looked ok. Yes, this is the God of Abraham. God calls Himself Helper and Comforter. The Book of Revelation tells us hell will not be an ongoing torture. Hell ends as a plop into the Lake of Fire.
God isn't about relentless suffering. Only Cotton Mather thought that human beings should be made to suffer to obey.
The People of Israel had decades to experience life, thinking about who they truly wanted to be. What they really want, God to believe in them and to Honor the Lord. They reached a rare place. Not manipulating life or God.
Judges 17:6
In those days
there was no king in Israel.
Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
I wrote a Bible Study for one of our Bible Groups. Let's look at the time of Judges, it helps to establish the framework.
Judges 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel.
Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
We always ask, was Jesus a Republican, a Socialist, what form of government would Jesus prefer?
When God established Israel, He preferred self-government. Unfortunately, man being man turns self-government into the cafeteria plan. Which means then we need a government. And then people disagree and there is war and social upheaval, unions, insurance, house payments.... not the Garden of Eden.
Why didn't Samson's parents spank him when he was a child? Why was this one allowed mayhem and murder. Far from Kosher. What happened?
From God's perspective - maybe they did. Or possibly, they treated him like God's own wonder child. The point that is repulsive in Samson and explains a lot of why the world still works like this - everyone partially believes they are right. They just are doing their level best. And compared to God and His Holiness - it falls far short. What happened next, and always happens?
God's plan. When we've left our eyes open for so long and we've seen the evil and the good - what happens? God's plan. The evil produce God's plan, the good produce God's plan. It's just that when the pendulum swings to the selfish, sinful, evil - whatever word you use for wrong - portion of the pendulum - everything becomes confusing and unclear. Until it's apparent
what is Right and what is Wrrrrrong.
So - what does Samson mean to us today.
We are not God. We do our best to be His Child, His Servant. In each of our large actions, our small actions - ... We please the Lord Father and Jesus, the Holy Spirit, when we do what we can. When we fall short, we pray for grace. When the people around us are doing - get her for me, tearing animals to pieces, jumping in the cage with lioness named Delilah, living unclean habits they aren't aware of, providing thirty companions to be with him, bribing/enticing others, hate for love, love for hate, giving riddles that cannot be solved - what can we do???
Jump out of the way!! If you saw someone jumping from a cliff - would you Do it? NO!
Get yourself to the place where Love has a place to Dwell. Away from haters, plotters, where the Commandments of God are followed allowing Love to Dwell and make a way, truth and Life.
And here is another good one - the little frog sat in the water so long - he didn't notice the warm water was heating up, he was being boiled to become frog leg lunch. LOOK OUT!!
Today, we can view our world easily as living in the not-so-usual desert. We can be the people who take the deep breath and do for one another. No skin off my nose to encourage and move past the upset. Live where Love dwells. Be the Light Jesus gives us in Salvation.
Colossians 1:3
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we
pray for you
Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Jesus gave us the Commandment of Love.
Put our Lives where Love
is allowed to encourage
and flourish.
Abba, Father,
What a strange, historical, weird time in the world it is.
Your Good Creation
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Help us each day to see what You would have us do.
Help us to help others in a humble manner.
Help us to help ourselves, loving ourselves as You would have us to,
in diligence and hope.
Help us to be like Paul and see life as the adventure it is - and short.
We were Not built to be here forever.
Dwell in us.
Dwell in those we Love.
Help us to always Seek You First.
To see and bless our Blessings.
To be joy bringers.
We want to bless those in our Lives.
Help us to remember the goal - to grow and to go Home.
To You. In the Highest Name of Jesus Christ. Let us rest in You and Hope in You.
Give us this Day
to bring more Heaven to this earth.
Forgive and be forgiven.
Knowing our Father in Heaven
dwells within us.
Loving Jesus with our whole heart.
Holy, Holy, Holy
is our Savior.
Life lead us in Father God's Plan
seeing Thy Kingdom today,
The Power of God,
Looking for God's Glory.
Letting the Daily Bread,
Jesus Christ,
be an aroma of Life
and not our grind.
Alleluia to be the Easter People
and say Amen
in Jesus Christ.
Amen and Amen and Amen.
More Heaven upon earth.
Grow the Kingdom
with
Love.
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