ISRAEL'S REST AND SAFETY

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible…. 

ISRAEL’S REST AND SAFETY 

Numbers 10:35-36 ESV

³⁵ And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.”

³⁶ And when it rested, he said, “Return, O LORD, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.” 

In the Scriptures there are valuable lessons for the Bible Student.  But it is interesting that it is a prayer of Moses repeated on the occasion of Israel’s journey as they began and as they rested.  The repetitions should make us aware of the lessons in Moses’ call upon Yahweh. 

Moses’ petition included the need for safety,” let your enemies be scattered, and let those that hate you flee before you.”  God’s enemies were Israel’s enemies.  When God’s enemies were scattered Israel was safe. 

When Moses petitioned God for His presence, “Arise, O Lord,” and “Return, O Lord,” he not only requested safety but true rest for Israel.  In the wilderness and surrounded by enemies Israel encamped in safety free from fear and rested because God was with them. 

What was involved in them having safety and rest?  There were three experiences for them which explained their privileges. 

1.   They had regular communication.  Read Number 10:10.  The trumpets were humanly sounded but they had God’s authority and were sounded only at His command.  They gave the command to journey and the order of the march, Number 10:5-6.  The trumpets were the means of communicating God’s direction for Israel Numbers 10:1-2.  Just as they gave directions to Israel, God assured Israel of His covenant faithfulness with them.  Paul writing to the Corinthians and Thessalonians gives us the same assurance, I Corinthians 15:52  “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”   I Thessalonians 4:16-18 “ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words”
2. Cross references:Israel had human guides.  Numbers 10:29-32.  Moses sought the help of Hobab, who appears to be either his father-in-law or his brother-in-law, because of his familiarity with the wilderness.  The usefulness of Hobab in Israel’s travel is not questioned and his payment is a share in Israel’s reward.  Moses states that he would have, “whatever good the Lord will do.”. There is no reason to think that Moses is making the request and promise without the authority he had as God’s inspired leader.  Read Ephesians 4:11-13.  Paul states the divine principle of human guides to help in the task of bringing the Church to its resting place.
3.  Israel has divine leadership.  Numbers 9:15-23.  The prayer of Moses is recognition of this.  It is a promise and a certainty but Moses prays for it daily.  The cloud and the fire were tokens of God’s spirit with Israel.  The Spirit of God is the safety, defense, and guide for God’s people.  Jesus’ admonition to His people in Luke 11:9-13, is best understood in the light of Romans 8:14   “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”   We are promised the Spirit’s presence and guaranteed His leadership but as Moses prayed daily so are we to ask for him as our gift daily.  Paul can tell us the whole of Israel’s experience is a lesson for us.  I Corinthians 10:11.  What a great blessing is Israel’s rest and safety.

Application:

1.  You are guaranteed leadership of God’s Spirit.  Put your trust in that.
2.  Your safety is not in your strength but in the One who protects you.