“It is eleven days journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-Barnea.” Deuteronomy 1vs2
This amazing verse makes mention of exactly how far the nation of Israel was from entering the Promised Land. God said to Moses that he has seen the affliction of his people in Egypt, and he has heard their cry because of their taskmasters. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob delivered them from the yoke of slavery and oppression, out of the hand of the Egyptians to bring them to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey (Ex 3vs7-8).
God did everything he promised Moses regarding Egypt. Not one word fell to the ground! How amazing and faithful is God in deliverance and salvation? But God was not finished with Israel; he wanted them out of Egypt but more importantly, he wanted them to lay hold of the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey.
Sadly, history tells us that this generation of Israelites did not enter the Promised Land because of their persistent disobedience towards God and his appointed leaders. Paul makes mention in 1 Corinthians 10 of their disobedience, and that it should be an example to us modern-day believers on how not to do it.
My question is the following: If the Israelites were “perfect” in their obedience to God, would they have entered the Promised Land in only eleven days? I’m not questioning the fact that God would lead them into the land flowing with milk and honey – I believe in the faithfulness of the covenantal God. “YHWH- I AM WHO I AM!”
My wrestling concerns the duration of the journey. Eleven days to the fulfillment of God’s promise. I am weary of our western thinking. We live in times of efficiency where “time is money”. How often do we impose our modern-day thinking and doing on God? Are some believers not spiritually on the rocks because they tried to believe for eleven days with everything within them, but God did not come through?
“…but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God.” Hebrews 6vs12
I am convinced that God never intended for the nation of Israel to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, but perhaps He wanted them to walk with him for seven or even eleven years. Maybe He wanted to show them how he can lead and care for them daily with manna from heaven, and even water from a rock; a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.
Maybe He desired to show them how he is the God who can make bitter waters sweet – all these amazing miracles just to teach them more about his ability and ways.
I think God is more interested in us getting to know him than how quickly he can get us from point A to point B. Patience purifies our motives, strengthens our faith, and produces godly character. We need patience to learn who we are but more than that to learn who God is.
I believe God is more interested in intimacy than He is in efficacy! Maybe this is one of the keys to understanding inheritance; that the journey with Jesus is more important than the destination.
Let’s trust God to lead us perfectly today. Jesus is well able to bring many sons and daughters to glory. Let’s try to be perfect in obedience (another word for trust and faith), and let’s try to be perfect in patience so that we can inherit all that God has promised us.
Happy journey with Jesus!