Numbers 10:29-36: a reflection

29Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the LORD has spoken good concerning Israel.” 30He said to him, “I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives.” 31Moses said, “Don’t leave us, please; because you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 32It shall be, if you go with us—yes, it shall be—that whatever good the LORD does to us, we will do the same to you.” 33They set forward from the Mount of the LORD three days’ journey. The ark of the LORD’s covenant went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them. 34The cloud of the LORD was over them by day, when they set forward from the camp. 35When the ark went forward, Moses said, “Rise up, LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!” 36When it rested, he said, “Return, LORD, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.”

As Israel sets out from the mountain of God on their long journey, notice who goes before them. The ark of the LORD's covenant went before them three days' journey, to seek out a resting place for them; and the cloud of the LORD was over them by day. God did not merely send Israel out into the wilderness to find their own way; he went before them, the ark leading, seeking out a resting place for them, the cloud guiding them. God led the journey, going ahead to prepare the way and find their rest.

Notice that God went before his people to find them a resting place. He did not leave them to find their own way through the wilderness; the ark went ahead, three days' journey, to seek out where they should rest. God led, going before them, searching out the way and the place of rest; and the cloud went with them by day. The journey was not one they made alone, feeling their way; God went before them, leading, preparing, seeking their rest. He was not behind them driving them on, but ahead of them, leading and providing.

That is a comfort for our own journey, which can feel like an uncertain way through a wilderness. We can feel that we must find our own way forward, into an unknown future, alone; but God goes before his people, as the ark went before Israel, seeking out the way and a place of rest. On your journey, you do not go alone, feeling your own way; God goes before you, leading, preparing the way, seeking out your rest, as the ark went ahead of Israel three days' journey. When the way ahead is uncertain and you feel you must find it alone, remember that God goes before you, leading and preparing, as he led Israel through the wilderness. Trust the God who goes before you to lead your journey and to seek out your rest, rather than feeling you must find your own way alone; for as the ark went before Israel to find them a resting place, so God goes ahead of you, leading, and preparing the way you are to walk.

Lord, as Israel set out from the mountain of God on their long journey, notice who went before them. The ark of the LORD's covenant went before them three days' journey, to seek out a resting place for them; and the cloud of the LORD was over them by day. You did not merely send Israel out into the wilderness to find their own way; you went before them, the ark leading, seeking out a resting place, the cloud guiding them. You led the journey. Show me that you went before your people to find them a resting place. You did not leave them to find their own way; the ark went ahead to seek out where they should rest. You led, going before them, searching out the way and the place of rest. The journey was not one they made alone; you went before them, leading, preparing, seeking their rest. You were not behind them driving them on, but ahead of them, leading and providing. That is a comfort for my own journey, which can feel like an uncertain way through a wilderness. I can feel that I must find my own way forward, into an unknown future, alone; but you go before your people, as the ark went before Israel. On my journey, I do not go alone; you go before me, leading, preparing the way, seeking out my rest. When the way ahead is uncertain and I feel I must find it alone, help me remember that you go before me, Lord, leading and preparing, as you led Israel through the wilderness. Help me trust the God who goes before me to lead my journey and to seek out my rest.