Monday, April 21, 2014

Numbers 12-14

(April 16, 2014)
Two thoughts struck me as I read through these chapters.  The first is the irrationality of the supposed “realist” or “rational” crowd.  They had seen the Divine presence in their midst for a significant period of time, and yet they considered themselves rational in their fear of the people they were to displace.  But they expressed that fear in an utterly irrational manner – oh that we had died in Egypt (still dead) or died in the desert (yep, they would still be dead there).  Realism, when it is in opposition to the Divine, is in actuality an irrational and emotional response.  You can see that by the correlated behavior and approach of those who take that position.

The second thought was on the two spies who were faithful – Joshua and Caleb.  I do not think it was an accident that these two were from Judah and Ephraim.  There is a presumption on my part (perhaps unwarranted) that Ephraim and Judah were the tribes (next to Levi) most centered on the Lord.  This focus on the Divine seems to have embolden these two in the performance of their duties.

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