Numbers 15:1-5: a reflection

1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land of your habitations, which I give to you, 3and will make an offering by fire to the LORD—a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a free will offering, or in your set feasts, to make a pleasant aroma to the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock— 4then he who offers his offering shall offer to the LORD a meal offering of one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one fourth of a hin of oil. 5You shall prepare wine for the drink offering, one fourth of a hin, with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.

As Israel journeys through the wilderness, God gives instructions for the offerings they are to make, and notice how they begin: When you have come into the land of your habitations, which I give to you. The instructions look ahead to a future not yet reached; Israel was still in the wilderness, far from the land, yet God speaks to them of what they will do when they come into it. His word anticipates the promised future, assuring them, in the very form of the instruction, that they will indeed come into the land.

Notice how God's word anticipates the promised future. He does not say if you come into the land, but when; and he gives instructions for a life they had not yet reached, a settled life in the land still ahead of them. The very form of the instruction assumed they would get there; God spoke to their future as a certainty, giving them directions for a life they would live once the promise was fulfilled. His word reached ahead into the promised future, assuring them of it even as they still journeyed toward it.

That is worth taking to heart, for God's word to us also reaches ahead into a promised future, assuring us of it. God has made promises to his people of a future not yet reached, a life beyond the present wilderness; and his word speaks to that future as a certainty, giving us assurance of it even as we journey toward it. When you are still in the wilderness, far from the promised future, take assurance that God speaks of it as a certainty, as he gave Israel instructions for when, not if, they came into the land. God's promises are sure; his word reaches ahead into the future he has promised, assuring you of it even now. Do not doubt that you will reach the promised future because you are still in the wilderness; God speaks of it as a certainty, as he instructed Israel for the land they had not yet reached, assuring them, in the very form of his word, that they would come into it.

Lord, as Israel journeys through the wilderness, you give instructions for the offerings they are to make, and notice how they begin: when you have come into the land of your habitations, which I give to you. The instructions look ahead to a future not yet reached; Israel was still in the wilderness, far from the land, yet you speak to them of what they will do when they come into it. Your word anticipates the promised future, assuring them, in the very form of the instruction, that they will indeed come into the land. Show me how your word anticipates the promised future. You do not say if you come into the land, but when; and you give instructions for a life they had not yet reached. The very form of the instruction assumed they would get there; you spoke to their future as a certainty. Your word reached ahead into the promised future, assuring them of it even as they still journeyed toward it. Take that to my heart, for your word to me also reaches ahead into a promised future, assuring me of it. You have made promises to your people of a future not yet reached, a life beyond the present wilderness; and your word speaks to that future as a certainty. When I am still in the wilderness, far from the promised future, help me take assurance that you speak of it as a certainty, as you gave Israel instructions for when, not if, they came into the land. Keep me from doubting that I will reach the promised future because I am still in the wilderness; you speak of it as a certainty, Lord.