Sunday 13th August
Read Numbers 10:33-36
“So they set out from the mountain of the Lord and travelled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. 34 The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.
35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said,
‘Rise up, Lord!
May your enemies be scattered;
may your foes flee before you.’
36 Whenever it came to rest, he said,
‘Return, Lord,
to the countless thousands of Israel.’” (NIVUK)
Imagine starting and ending each day with a song to the Lord? Perhaps you already do. But the regular routine of God’s people was to begin and end each day with worship. Certainly a practice we can commit to!
These two fragments are echoed in the Psalms, namely Psalms 68 and 132. Consider the beginning of Psalm 68.
“May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
may his foes flee before him.” (Psalm 68:1) (NIVUK)
It may make some uncomfortable to sing such a violent song as worship. Yet for a small people without a home wandering in the wilderness with enemies on every side this would be a comfort, a way to stave off fear.
Perhaps that is why David picked up this fragment in his psalm. What is interesting is that David’s psalm subtly shifts the context and suggests that the intent is less about trouncing enemies and more about including them amongst God’s people.
“The chariots of God are tens of thousands
and thousands of thousands;
the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
18 When you ascended on high,
you took many captives;
you received gifts from people,
even from the rebellious –
that you, Lord God, might dwell there.
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour,
who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:17-19) (NIVUK)
Rest for the rebellious – truly something to sing about each day!
