Deuteronomy 2:13-19: a reflection

13“Now rise up and cross over the brook Zered.” We went over the brook Zered. 14The days in which we came from Kadesh Barnea until we had come over the brook Zered were thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the middle of the camp, as the LORD swore to them. 15Moreover the LORD’s hand was against them, to destroy them from the middle of the camp, until they were consumed. 16So, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, 17the LORD spoke to me, saying, 18“You are to pass over Ar, the border of Moab, today. 19When you come near the border of the children of Ammon, don’t bother them, nor contend with them; for I will not give you any of the land of the children of Ammon for a possession, because I have given it to the children of Lot for a possession.”

Moses recounts a sober stretch of Israel's history: the thirty-eight years spent wandering until the entire generation that had refused to trust God had died out. It was a long consequence of an earlier failure; the unbelief at Kadesh had cost them nearly four decades of wandering. But now that the appointed time was complete, God says: rise up, cross the brook, move forward. The long consequence had run its course, and God was bringing a new beginning.

Notice both the long consequence and the turning point. The thirty-eight years were the drawn-out consequence of Israel's earlier unbelief; the failure had cost them dearly, over a long time. But the consequence, though long, was not endless; when its appointed time was complete, God said, rise up and cross over, moving them forward again. The long season of consequence gave way, in God's time, to a new beginning and forward movement.

That pattern speaks to the long consequences we sometimes bear for our failures, and the hope of a new beginning beyond them. Sin and failure can have consequences that stretch long, seasons of loss or wandering that seem they will never end. But God's discipline, though it may be long, is not endless; when its appointed time is complete, he brings a new beginning, a rise up and cross over. If you are in a long season of consequence for past failure, do not despair as though it would never end. The thirty-eight years came to an end, and God said, rise up. The consequences of your failures, however long, are not necessarily endless; God is able to bring a new beginning beyond them, in his time. Bear the consequence, but do not lose hope of the turning point, when God says, rise up and move forward, bringing a new beginning after the long season of consequence has run its course.

Lord, Moses recounts the thirty-eight years Israel wandered until the unbelieving generation died out, the long consequence of an earlier failure; but when its appointed time was complete, you said, rise up, cross over, move forward, bringing a new beginning. Speak to me through that pattern about the long consequences I sometimes bear for my failures, and the hope of a new beginning beyond them. Sin and failure can have consequences that stretch long, seasons of loss or wandering that seem they will never end. But your discipline, though it may be long, is not endless; when its appointed time is complete, you bring a new beginning, a rise up and cross over. If I am in a long season of consequence for past failure, keep me from despairing as though it would never end. The thirty-eight years came to an end, and you said, rise up. The consequences of my failures, however long, are not necessarily endless; you are able to bring a new beginning beyond them, in your time. Help me bear the consequence, but not lose hope of the turning point, when you say, rise up and move forward. Bring me, in your time, to a new beginning beyond the consequence, Lord.