Friday 22nd September
Read Numbers 21:16-20
“From there they continued on to Beer, the well where the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather the people together and I will give them water.’
17 Then Israel sang this song:
‘Spring up, O well!
Sing about it,
18 about the well that the princes dug,
that the nobles of the people sank –
the nobles with sceptres and staffs.’
Then they went from the wilderness to Mattanah, 19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.” (NIVUK)
The march continues. It continues without the fear of thirst, the source of incessant grumbling against God and the leaders during the wilderness wanderings. The striking feature of this passage, as the people turn north (through modern-day Jordan), is how active and joyous they are. They are singing and digging, from the highest to the lowest (v18), they are fully engaged, with God, in the task at hand.
This passage, with its work ethic of partnership with God, a turning away from grumbling and complaint and rejoicing in song reminds me of Paul’s words to the Philippians. The example presented here in Numbers was relevant when the church was young, and just as relevant today.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:12-18) (NIVUK)
