Sometimes we feel lost.
Sure, with modern technology like GPS, Google Maps, AirTags, and other devices, we can pinpoint our exact geographical location and find our way in new areas. But I’m talking about feeling lost: wondering, wandering, and waiting.
Because life is confusing and relationships are complicated, we can easily get distracted and quickly become disoriented. Disappointment causes us to ask questions about our purpose. Discouragement seeps in and wears us down. Fear overwhelms us and results in anger or despair. Soon we find ourselves lost.
How do we find our way?
The book of Numbers is about life in the wilderness — lost and wandering somewhere between God’s blessings promised and His promises fulfilled.
Numbers starts in the wilderness and ends in the wilderness. In fact, the Hebrew name for this book is precisely that: “In the Wilderness.” In between the beginning and the end are 36 chapters that cover about forty years and record the lives of two generations wandering, wondering, and waiting.
Geographically, the wilderness wasn’t that far from Egypt to Canaan. After all, Joseph’s brothers didn’t have any trouble making the journey and finding their way multiple times (Genesis 42-50).
The Israelites who left slavery and the idolatry in Egypt were lost without understanding their purpose and without a close, personal relationship with the LORD. The book of Numbers is the journey of God’s people finding their way in life with Him.
The journey of the first generation is the record of unbelief, fear, rebellion, despair, and death (Numbers 1-26). When they found their way to the promised land, scouted it, and saw that it filled with “giants” (Numbers 13:32), the first generation gave in to fear and complained against the LORD (Numbers 13-14). Their response shows us what happens to a generation that refuses to place their trust in the LORD and lives primarily for themselves.
The story of the second generation (Numbers 27-36) shows how deeply concerned they were about ensuring that their children and grandchildren knew the LORD and would have an inheritance in the Promised Land. The daughters of Zelophehad recognized their father died in the wilderness, “because of his own sin and he had no sons” (Numbers 27:3). These granddaughters of Joseph boldly asked for property in the land as an inheritance for their future because they believed God’s promises.
As we wander in the wilderness waiting for God to fulfill His promises, which generation do we belong to? As we wait for Him to take us to the promised land (Hebrews 11:36-40) and our promised home (John 14:1-7), will we trust Him?
Are we a generation living for ourselves and selfishly concerned primarily about ourselves?
Or a generation that completely trusts in God and selflessly cares about those coming behind us? Will we live with authenticity in a land of duplicity? Will we share the Good News about Jesus to those who are eternally lost?
As we wait for God to fulfill His great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4), we’re not lost. We look to God who promises to bless His people with a close, personal relationship Himself (Numbers 6:22-27). We look to His Son, Jesus, and keep our eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:1-2) . We walk by the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us (Galatians 5:16-18; 22-25) until we see Him face-to-face.
Follow me…as I follow Jesus Christ
following Jesus 