13: Decisive but Undetermined Guidance (Num 10:18-36)

Sometimes, the Lord’s guidance comes precise and decisive. Sometimes, it comes in undetermined ways, and we must earnestly seek His will.

πŸ‘‰ Read Numbers 10:18-36

These are the order of their caravan. Judahites & Issacarites & Zebulunites – Gershonites and Merarites of the Levites – (                ) & Simeonites & Gadites – Kohathites of the Levites – (              ) & Manassehites & Benjaminites – (              ) & Asherites & Naphtalites.


What was the real reason that Moses asked Hobab to go with them?


When the ark traveled, Moses would say, (          ), O Lord.”. When it came to rest he would say, (            ), O Lord.”

 

Answers and Meditation

Reubenites, Ephraimites, Danites

This is the order of their camp.

The Bible keeps mentioning ‘the standard’ that symbolizes the rank of the army.

The tribal leaders’ names were addressed here. They were like generals of their armies.  

 

Moses wanted Hobab to be their guide in the wilderness

Though Moses tried to persuade him with the blessing of God, his real reason was that he needed a guide.

 

Rise up, Return

The Lord’s clouds guided their route; why did they need a guide? The clouds only told them the moment of departure and the moment of stay. Where to go was left to humans’ decision. That’s why the ark went three days of ahead of the people and searched for a place to stay. As they found a place to stay, they asked God’s approval by the clouds. If the clouds came down, it was the place to camp for a while. If not, they are to keep searching for a place.

The Lord’s guidance was decisive in a sense that they needed to depart no matter what when the clouds lifted up. However, which way to go was undetermined. They needed to search by themselves and then get God’s final approval.

Moses’ prayer shows his unceasing eagerness for the Lord’s guidance in their journey. When they traveled with such a heart, the Lord was with them wherever they went and camped.

This is like our life today. God’s guidance was decisive, ‘follow me.’ However, what to do and where to go was not determined, rather it is opened. As you earnestly seek the Lord’s will everyday, your decision will be in His will.

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