Divine Guidance

March 14

Numbers 8-9

Psalm 34:1-7

Proverbs 8:6-7

Mark 12:28-44

Divine Guidance

“Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, dwelling above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out.  At the command of Yahweh they camped, and at the command of Yahweh they set out; they kept the charge of Yahweh, according to the command of Yahweh by the hand of Moses.”  Numbers 9:22-23  LSB

The Israelites were dependent on God for direction.  God gave them a pillar of cloud over the tabernacle during the day and a pillar of fire at night.  When the cloud moved, they moved and when the cloud stopped, they stopped.  The cloud represented the presence of God with His people.  The cloud was unpredictable.  Sometimes it would have them camped for only a few days in one location and then it would move.  But at other times it would stay in one place for weeks at a time.  We are not told why it moved at certain times and remained still at others.  Perhaps God was protecting them from dangers on the path ahead of them by having them remain where they were or moving them when dangers were approaching.  It may be that in extended periods camped in one location, He was using the time to instruct them and train them in His ways and prepare them to be His people.  During the entire 40 years in the wilderness, God did not allow them to be led by routine.  He required that they be led by His presence and they obeyed.  Their journey to the Promised Land was based on the Lord’s timing and not their own.  The Lord’s presence in the cloud is referred to as the “Shekinah glory of the Lord” from the Hebrew word “shakan.”

            John 1:14 says that Jesus “dwelt” among the Jews.  The Greek word here, “skenow” means to “dwell in a tent” and is a reference to the Old Testament tabernacle where God’s presence dwelt among His people.  Jesus is the Shekinah glory dwelling among His people to guide them.  When Jesus ascended to heaven, He left the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide His people.  The moment that someone believes and accepts Jesus as their Savior, they are indwelt with the Holy Spirit.  Just as the cloud was continually over the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the Holy Spirit is continually present in the life of the believer.  He leads and guides His people and gives clear direction illuminating God’s will and direction.  Just as the children of Israel had to rely on His  leading, we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us daily.  We cannot be led by routine or our own desires.  We have to be attentive to His leading.  This requires intentionality.  It won’t happen incidentally.  We have to tune our hearts, our eyes, our ears and our minds to listen for His guidance and to follow wherever and whenever He leads.   Our journey to the Promised Land requires our submission and obedience.