Numbers 21:16-22: a reflection

16From there they traveled to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.” 17Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well! Sing to it, 18the well, which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and with their poles.” From the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah; 19and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth; 20and from Bamoth to the valley that is in the field of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looks down on the desert. 21Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22“Let me pass through your land. We will not turn away into field or vineyard. We will not drink of the water of the wells. We will go by the king’s highway, until we have passed your border.”

As Israel journeys through the wilderness, God provides water at a place called Beer, and the people respond with a song of joy. Gather the people together, God says, and I will give them water. And when the water comes, Israel sings: Spring up, well! Sing to it. They do not receive God's provision in silence, or grumbling, or taking it for granted; they meet it with a song, celebrating the water God gave with joyful praise. The gift of water in a dry land was met with gladness and thanks, a song rising over the well. God's provision drew from his people a joyful response, praise and celebration for what he had given. To respond to God's provision with joyful thanks, singing over his gifts rather than taking them for granted, is the spirit of this song.

Notice how Israel responded to God's provision: with a song of joy. They did not receive the water grudgingly, or as their due, or in silence; they sang over it, celebrating the gift God had given. Spring up, well! they sang, meeting God's provision with joyful praise. The gift of water in the wilderness was received with gladness and thanks, a song of celebration rising over the well. This is a fitting response to God's provision: not to take it for granted or receive it in silence, but to meet it with joy and thanks, celebrating what he has given. God's gifts deserve a glad response, a song of thanks, not indifference. To sing over God's provision, to celebrate his gifts with joy, honors the Giver and gladdens the heart. Joyful thanks is the right answer to God's provision.

That is worth taking to heart, for we do well to respond to God's provision with joyful thanks, not indifference. We can receive God's provision in silence, or grudgingly, or as our due, taking his gifts for granted; but Israel met the water God gave with a song of joy, celebrating his provision. God's gifts deserve a glad response, a song of thanks. When God provides for us, we do well to meet it not with indifference but with joyful thanks, celebrating what he has given. Do not take God's provision for granted or receive it in silence; respond with joyful thanks, as Israel sang over the well. Respond to God's provision with joyful thanks and praise rather than indifference or grumbling, as Israel sang, Spring up, well, celebrating the water God gave in the wilderness; for God's gifts deserve a glad response, and to sing over his provision, meeting his gifts with joy and thanks rather than taking them for granted, honors the Giver and gladdens the heart of the one who receives.

Lord, as Israel journeys through the wilderness, you provide water at a place called Beer, and the people respond with a song of joy. Gather the people together, you say, and I will give them water. And when the water comes, Israel sings: Spring up, well! Sing to it. They do not receive your provision in silence, or grumbling, or taking it for granted; they meet it with a song, celebrating the water you gave with joyful praise. The gift of water in a dry land was met with gladness and thanks, a song rising over the well. Your provision drew from your people a joyful response. Show me how Israel responded to your provision: with a song of joy. They did not receive the water grudgingly, or as their due, or in silence; they sang over it, celebrating the gift you had given. Spring up, well! they sang, meeting your provision with joyful praise. This is a fitting response to your provision: not to take it for granted or receive it in silence, but to meet it with joy and thanks. Your gifts deserve a glad response, a song of thanks, not indifference. Take that to my heart, for I do well to respond to your provision with joyful thanks, not indifference. I can receive your provision in silence, or grudgingly, or as my due, taking your gifts for granted; but Israel met the water you gave with a song of joy. Your gifts deserve a glad response. When you provide for me, keep me from meeting it with indifference; help me respond with joyful thanks, Lord, celebrating what you have given, as Israel sang over the well you gave in the wilderness.