Daily Thoughts from Deuteronomy 1:20-21, 26, 27: Rebellion (M’ri)

3. Rebellion (M’ri)

There I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill-country of the Emori, which Yahweh our God is giving to us.  Look! Yahweh your God has placed the land before you. Go up, take possession, as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has told you. Don’t be afraid, don’t be dismayed.’

 “But you would not go up. Instead you rebelled against the order of Yahweh your God; and in your tents you complained.

(D’varim 1:20-21, 26, 27)

Hunger had made sleep a little more difficult.  He woke to a rumbling in his stomach that was asking for food but would not get any.  He had been here before when fasting and knew that the first few days were sometimes the hardest.  He took a draught of water and it helped settle things down.

The scroll was the first thing he looked for. To read it with the light of day was his norm and habit and that would not change out here.  Though today did not encourage him.  He knew his purpose.  He read it in Yesha‘yahu.  He was the one who was to be stricken by God for the iniquity of Yisrael.  But today’s portion of D’varim only reminded him of how unworthy of rescue Yisrael was.

Yahweh had shown through Moshe His power and concern for His people over and over as they traveled through the yeshimon, providing water, food, protection and covenant.  All He got in return was grumbling and finally disobedience.

Did he really want to give his life for this kind of ingratitude and rebellion?

He took a walk.  It was warm but not too warm.  In fact, the sun felt very soothing on his back.  The freshness of the day, even here, reminded him of God’s goodness.  He noticed a small, somewhat green plant daring to raise its head above the parched earth.  Stooping to touch it he caught a strong and pleasant odor from its petals that invigorated him.

Why, Lord?  Why this beautiful scent for such an insignificant flower out here in the middle of nowhere for no one ever to smell?

“You smelled it, my son.”

“Was it enough for just one person to smell and enjoy?  Did that make it worth it?”

“It made it worth it for me.”

His heart ached.  Yisrael was the little flower.  Yahweh loved this flower.  And this flower’s redemption was not for it alone but for many others who would find redemption in her redemption.  All nations would be blessed in her.

He turned and faced the sun, eyes closed, head back, heart moved by the grace of his Father.  “I am ready to fulfill my purpose.”

“I am ready to make you ready.”

He spent the next several hours exploring for any other precious finds in this barren place.  What other mysteries would his Father show him?  As the sun began to set he made his way back to the cave.  No supper, just water.  But he felt full.

He built a small fire and with its light picked up the scroll again to read.  Even Moshe had grown weary of his people and in anger had struck the rock instead of speaking to it.  But he also saw how Yahweh had carried Yisrael, “like a man carries his child.”

“I will be good to your child and love her as my own.”