This week in Gospel Doctrine we discussed the journey taken by Moses and the House of Israel through the wilderness to the Promised land. Like the Bondage and Deliverance theme brought out in the Passover story, the Wilderness journey theme comes up again and again in scriptures, and is referring to each of us. This journey through the wilderness to the promised land is a great archetype for our own journey from the World (Egypt) to Eternal Life (the Promised Land). When we study Moses’ story with this in mind, the deeper message God teaches is revealed.
How classic is this picture of the Israelites collecting Manna?
I love it!
Now to the Good stuff:
1. God sends his covenant people what they need to make it to Eternal life. This includes (unfortunately at times) tests of faith. Our responsibility lies in our attitude and reactions. The following were reactions by the House of Israel that led to the 40 yr. wandering: ingratitude, criticism, lust, desire, doubt, fear, lack of faith, murmuring, and questioning authority. Conversely, several of the House of Israel chose different reactions which led them in the right direction--Faith, trust, endurance, meekness, and gratitude. I suppose the question we have to ask ourselves is--which reactions do we have most often? Our reactions are the only “unknown” in the equation, and the only thing which propel us forward or backward. God always does his part.
2. Most of us know the “Look to God and Live” analogy. After being on the BORDERS OF THE PROMISED LAND and FAILING the test of Faith, God sends them to WANDER the desert for 40 years. He also sends “fiery serpents” to bite them. After being bitten, they had 2 choices: look to moses’ staff with the serpent on it, or die. Here, the serpent, of course is referring to Christ. God sends them the serpents to help them come unto Christ--just like he sends us trials and hardships to help us come to him and gain greater faith--not as a punishment. Many Israelites thought this “look to the staff” was naive, much like the world thinks that reading our scriptures, fasting, and praying is a silly approach to real problems. Question to ponder--What approach do we take when “bitten”?
3. God only sent the fiery serpents AFTER they failed the test of Faith. The Serpents were a tool to help them gain the faith necessary to pass future tests. God would prefer that we pass our tests of faith in life--taking us closer into his presence. I think it’s wise to reflect back in our lives and pick out those tests of faith, as well as the serpents we've been bitten by. Perhaps the reflection would cause us to see more clearly the path ahead.
4. We all are "WANDERERS" in one way or another. The journey to the promised land could have taken the Israelites 11 DAYS. Can you even imagine wandering for 40 years? That being said, I believe all of us know what it's like to "WANDER" through our days. What percentage of our day do we spend actually walking forward toward the "promised land"? For many of us--EVEN HIS COVENANT PEOPLE, we spend precious little time of our day doing the things that really matter. Perhaps this week we could give more conscious effort to prayer, scripture study, or service. Perhaps we could pray to have God reveal to us a greater understanding of our personal "wanderings" from him.
Who reads these things? Anyone out there? Fellow wanderers travelers? What are your thoughts??
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