Saturday 12th 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)
After asking Hobab to be their guide, the true guide of Israel leads them. Yahweh’s ark went before them and found them places to rest on the way. They walked in the shade by day, covered by the cloud. You could read the narrative quite smoothly leaving out the conversation between Moses and Hobab. Which only serves to emphasise how important it is to consider it carefully.
But the beauty in this passage revolves around the gentleness with which God finds rest for His people. Older Christians read these verses and saw in the ‘ark’ going before them a picture of Jesus leading them and guiding them. It is not the longest bow to stretch either. For ultimately, we know where true rest is promised.
“‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’” (Matthew 11:28-30) (NIVUK).
In this perfect start of the people of God as they left God’s mountain for the promised land, it is rest that they find each day (v33, 36). A rest that Jesus promises to all those wandering in the wilderness, weary and burdened.
