Dear Family,
Today is Sunday, May, 2, 2021. This is Day 1 of Week 6 as we continue our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 36th day of Counting. This week has been called the Week of War with Amalek.
So much happened to ancient Israel during this portion of their journey to Mt. Sinai; there are many, many insights and lessons we can receive. Let us take a quick look at Moses, the man whom God used to lead Israel, and see one of the reasons God may have chosen him for such a challenging task.
Israel frequently accused Moses of wrong. They murmured against him, complained that he had led them out of Egypt to kill them of thirst, and were ready to stone him.
Exodus 17:3-4 (3) And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? (4) And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying; What shall I do unto this people? They be almost ready to stone me.
It would be quite difficult for most people to put up with their thanklessness, griping, and accusations when Moses was only obeying God and doing “good” for the Israelites. Had Moses not been the meekest man on earth, he might have reacted with some retaliation; or, perhaps he would have given up on them altogether.
Numbers 12:3 Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.
Yet, God had given Moses a faithful heart to care for God’s people. So, he did not give up on the people, even though he was quite frustrated with them at times. The Apostle Paul even described Moses as being faithful like Christ Jesus. What an honor!
Hebrews 3:1-2 (1) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (2) Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Moses faithfully interceded for the people even though they were rebellious and critical of him. In Deuteronomy, Moses wrote an overview of the wilderness experience.
Deuteronomy 9 discusses God’s words about destroying Israel and starting over with Moses. However, Moses fasted and beseeched God on their behalf.
Deuteronomy 9:14,18-19 (14) Let Me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they…. (18) And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. (19) For I was afraid of the
anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
What an example for leaders! While they treated Moses so badly, he blessed them with fasting and prayer. As with Moses, true humility is a vital key.
May God bless us with humility and with hearts willing to intercede for the rebellious, even those who may act out against us personally in some way.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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