Deuteronomy: Lessons to remember as you walk to the Promised Land - Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3: Remembering God's plans prevail

Moses continues his introductions by remembering some important battles.

Please read Deuteronomy chapter 3:1-11.


Moses begins by recounting some of the battles they fought and won. He tells of how mighty the warriors were, how fortified their cities, and how “utterly destroyed” they were because God was with the Israelites.

Why do you think Moses reminds them of these stories?

Can you think of a “battle” the LORD has helped you fight in life? Explain.

Do you take the time to remember what God has done in your life? Why or why not?

What would be the benefit of remembering?

I have a friend who has a prayer journal. Each day she writes down people and situations she has prayed for and what they needed. When the prayer is answered, she goes back and crosses it off with a little note of how it was answered. It has been very rewarding for her to physically see how many prayers God has answered in her life.

I have another friend who has a jar of rocks. Each rock has something written on it, something that reminds her of the things God has done in her life. It is a memorial of God’s work. When she needs to be reminded, she dumps out the rocks and reads through them. It builds her up, strengthens her. This physical reminder gives courage and reassurance when she needs it.

Wouldn’t it be a good thing to stop and remember what God has done in our lives? The river of life buries our memories on the bottom as the current of daily activities rushes over. Taking the time to pick up those moments, bring them into the light, and roll them around in our minds would be so fortifying. Maybe He has helped you defeat big giants like King Og, with his 13 ½ X 6 foot coffin. Remembering that would make the little thing in front of you seem like nothing.

What can you do to remember the battles God has fought and won for you?

Read Deuteronomy 3:12-22.

This section is a summary of what happened in Numbers 32. Before they even entered the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben and Gad saw the lush lands good for livestock west of the Jordan and petitioned God for the lands there instead in the Promised Land. They had lots of livestock and thought this land looked great. God agreed to this petition, but made them promise to go and fight first, then they could return to this land.

Don’t you find it strange that they hadn’t even seen what was in the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey, the good land the LORD was giving them, and they were okay to settle outside the land? It reminds me of what C.S. Lewis says: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Isn’t that the truth? We are far too easily pleased! God has good things for us but we are impatient and settle for the first thing we see that looks like something we might want. We settle outside His promises for us.

Have you ever settled for less than you know God has for you? Explain.

If you are in a situation right now where you might be tempted to settle for less, pray and ask God for guidance and understanding of what He has for you.

Read Deuteronomy 3: 23-29.

The contrast here is interesting. The tribes of Reuben and Gad stayed outside the Promised Land by choice, settling for less than God had for them. Moses stayed outside because of submission to God’s will. He followed the LORD’s will for him. Moses obviously wanted to go into the Promised Land. He pleaded with the LORD, but God said no. He did allow Moses to go up on the mountain and look into the land, but made it clear that Joshua would lead them the rest of the way.

Can you imagine being in Moses’ shoes? Oh, the longing he must have felt. But, He did not try to disobey. He accepted it. He was a humble man. Humility before God is being able to accept and follow His word, submission, if you will. Sometimes submission comes in the form of doing something you don’t want to do. Sometimes it is not doing something you do want to do. Either way, submission to God’s will is often difficult, but always a blessing in the end.

Why do you think Moses submitted to the LORD’s plan?

Years ago, I had a situation in my life that had me on my knees, crying in prayer. It was by far the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to walk through. Day after day I went to the Lord in prayer begging for relief. One day, I just decided I would stay put until I got an answer to my pleas. I don’t know how long I sat in prayer, going through my Bible, reading out verses to the Lord, things He had promised to do in His word, but at some point, I knew He heard me. There was a sense of peace, a sense of He was going to work it out, a sense of get up and go because it is done. I walked away with that peace that passes understanding.

Let me just say, it got worse before it got better, and it is still not resolved. But, I have peace about it. I know the Lord is working on it. I may not ever see the finished product this side of heaven, but it is coming. Why did Moses obey the LORD’s command to not go? Because he and the LORD had worked it out. He had that peace that passes understanding. Even though Moses longed and pleaded for it, He knew that God was in control, and Moses was good with that.


Is there an area of your life in which you need to submit to the LORD’s plan?

Find time to pray and work it out with the LORD. He will give you the peace that allows you to be in one accord with Him.


CHARACTER OF GOD: God’s plans prevail

CHALLENGE: Identify areas of your life where you need to submit to the LORD’s will. Work this out with the Lord by prayer and through His word.

Deuteronomy: Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2:


The Israelites had waited in the desert for almost 40 years at this point. They waited partly because they had sinned against the LORD in not wanting to go into the Promised Land and partly because they needed to learn to rely on the LORD. Sometimes God holds up the plans because we aren't ready yet. Sometimes we need to wait and learn.

Have you ever had a waiting time? If so, when?

What things did you learn during your wait?

How have you grown because of your waiting time?

During their 40th year in the desert, God is on the move and the Israelites are ready to go. Their waiting time is over. Moses continues to recount their journey through the wilderness with tales of their travels and their victories. He needs them to remember the lessons they've learned.

Please read Deuteronomy chapter 2.


Why does God not allow the Israelites to take land from the descendants of Lot and Esau?

What does this imply about God’s character?

How does Moses encourage the people?


God has a plan . . . and He works it out in His own time. He also does not go back on His word. He had promised those lands to Esau and Lot and He made sure they kept them. He wanted the Israelites to have the land of King Sihon and King Og, so he hardened their hearts, provoking a battle, which they lost, and He gave their land to His people. Did you notice that God didn’t just hand the land over to them? They had to fight for it. They had to work for it. They were allowed to participate in God’s work. It always means more when you have to work for something. It’s personal then.

I don’t always move when the Lord is ready. I think I am sometimes like a sleepy child who doesn’t want to get out of bed. I know I’ve missed opportunities because I wouldn’t obey. I’m like the Israelites. I lack conviction sometimes. But why? What makes me stuck in my rut?

One reason is that I second guess: “Did God really say . . . ?” or “Am I just thinking this up for something to do?” Doubt creeps into my thoughts, clouding my vision and clogging my ears. Doubt keeps me still.

Another reason I stand still is because I’m trained for the “No. Be safe.” Just do what you have to do to insure your safe and easy future. That is how my daddy trained me. That is the state of my family. We are rooted. Doing something new and uncomfortable is a fearful thing. Whether it is doubt or fear of safety, both of these distractions are from the enemy. They are meant to slow us down, keep us from moving forward toward our own promised land in Christ. We must see it for what it is, and move forward with the Lord in faith.

What things stop you from moving forward in the Lord?

How can you overcome these road blocks?

Read Genesis 12:1-4.

I am always taken aback that when Abraham was commanded to go to a land God would show him, he got up from his usual routine and left, not really knowing exactly where he was headed. My "be safe" self would have gone into convulsions at this thought. But Moses just went and worked it out as he was going along. He knew God had a plan and Abraham trusted God. Oh, to be that faithful! No wonder Moses is mentioned in the Hebrews 11 roll-call of the faithful.

The story of Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son, is similar. When Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and transported to Egypt, he just did the next thing in front of him that would honor the LORD. Sometimes he had no control over his circumstances. Sometimes they were really bleak. But it was all part of God’s plan, and as far as I can tell, it was through no fault of his own that he was sometimes in really bad places. It was all God’s plan even though Joseph did not know the plan. Through it all, his eyes were on the LORD. When his brothers begged for mercy, Joseph revealed the heart of his actions: “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Genesis 50: 19-20). Joseph had faith in God’s good plan and it glorified the LORD.

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by it all. I feel I’m not enough. I compare myself to people around me, which leaves me feeling insufficient and unable, instead of just looking at the LORD. Maybe I just need to do the next thing in front of me – safe or not, fearing or not – just do what’s next. We grow His fruit one decision at a time, right? So just do the next good thing for His glory. I am sure God is adding to that Hebrews 11 list of the faithful, and one day we will get to hear the whole list. Wouldn't it be glorifying to the LORD for our names to be on His list too?

What is the next thing you need to do?

How can you honor God daily through your usual routine?

Pray and ask Him to help you. He will.


CHARACTER OF GOD: God’s plans prevail

CHALLENGE: Identify your next step in following Christ. Brainstorm some ways you can follow through with this.

Deuteronomy Bible Study: Introduction and Chapter 1

Deuteronomy: Lessons to remember as you walk to the Promised Land

INTRODUCTION:

When I first started this study of Deuteronomy just a few short weeks ago, the corona virus was far away in China and my world was very normal. I had been working my way through the Pentateuch, and had finally arrived at the last book. You would think that a book written so long ago, and written for the nation of Israel would have little application to us in our modern world, but you would be wrong. You see, it is really a book about God’s character, who He is, how He loves, what He expects, and who we can be in light of Him. The people have changed and the specific details have changed, but the underlying realities have not. God is still God. We are still His children. He is still leading us to a Promised Land. There are still things for us to remember along the way. Won’t you join me on this journey through a book that has more to tell us than we thought? Won’t you join me in remembering the things we’ve forgotten?


BACKGROUND:

The book of Deuteronomy is the last book in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. These are a set of history books, if you will, mostly written by Moses, and probably finished by Joshua after Moses’ death. The Pentateuch recounts the history of Israel from the beginning of time until their end of the 40 years in the desert.

Deuteronomy begins on the first day of the eleventh month of the 40th year in the desert. It is the speech Moses gave to the Israelites before they crossed the Jordan and walked into the Promised Land. They had learned some things in the desert and Moses wanted to remind them of all the lessons. His focus was on the people of Israel and how they should walk, but in remembering all the things that happened, Moses reveals the true character of God. It is a character that hasn’t changed. God is still who He says He is.

Throughout the book, you will notice some repeated word patterns: remember, fear, observe, teach, be blessed. You might want to mark these ideas in your Bible when you see them. With that in mind, let’s lace up our hiking shoes and start walking.

CHAPTER 1:

Let’s set the stage. The Israelites have just fought the kings from Numbers 21. They are the new owners of the land they just won. Jubilant in their victory, they are perched on the edge of the Jordan River. They have assembled together to listen to Moses’ farewell speech, for he will not be going into the Promised Land with them. Imagine: Everyone gathered in a great crowd. The tents are in the background ready to be packed up. Sheep bleating in the distance. Kids crying. Wind whistling through the sand. Moses standing at the head of it all, arms up, voice loud and filled with nostalgia and warnings and hope. That’s where we’ll start.


Please read Deuteronomy chapter 1.



Why did Moses remind them of this misadventure?


What excuses did the Israelites give for not going into the Promised Land?

How does this show a lack of faith?


Did you notice the Israelite’s response when God told them they couldn’t go into the Promised Land? They mourned and said, “We have sinned against the LORD; we will indeed go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us” (v. 41). It was only when they’d lost the opportunity that they wanted to go, which indicates they didn’t really want to follow the LORD, they just wanted what He had to offer.


This is a common position of the heart. It is the Prosperity Gospel of the Old Testament, a trap easily sprung. We all want salvation, forgiveness, good things on earth, peace, protection, an ally when things are tough, and on and on. But wanting only these things and not our Lord and Savior reveals our self-centered focus. It is much more difficult to put those things aside and just focus on the LORD. Our emotions get in the way.

One emotion that pops up over and over again and keeps the Israelites from following the LORD is FEAR. They want all these good things, but not enough to die for them, not enough to risk it all. FEAR keeps them down. FEAR is more important than the LORD’s command.

I am guilty of this very thing. My regular routine is comfortable. Doing something new is scary. FEAR keeps me in my regular routine, even when the LORD points me in a new direction outside of my comfort zone. FEAR keeps me from sharing my writing, even when the LORD encourages me and makes it clear that is His will for me. FEAR kept me from finding a church home for a long time, even though I know that being connected to a body of believers is not optional. FEAR barks at me to stay in my place.


So the question is: If God has told me to do something, even placed it on my heart, then why do I let FEAR keep me from it?
The answer: Because like the Israelites, I am my own god. But I know I am called to do more, to be more. I know the LORD is beckoning me out of my comfort zone into some place He has for me. I don't exactly know where that is yet, but I do know that it will glorify my Lord for me to follow Him there. It will glorify the LORD for you to follow Him as well.


What emotion holds you back?

What do you feel the Lord has called you to do that you haven’t moved on yet?

Repent and ask the LORD to help you. He will.


CHARACTER OF GOD: He is Faithful to His Word.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Identify the thing that is holding you back from following the LORD. Pray and repent for not following His lead. Ask for His help to grow your trust in Him. God is faithful. He will do it.

Holiday Fill Up

I heard the shallow gurgling as soon as I opened the window, letting in warm November air. One fountain motor was already burned up by letting the water get too low. I raced outside, grabbed the hose, and headed for the fountain. The almost empty bowl, the barely there trickle of water, and the dried white mineral residue screamed that time was short. In hotter months when my plants beg for water, I never neglect to fill the fountain. In cooler months, when the summer flowers have faded, and the busyness of life moves me in other directions, I often forget my happy little fountain.

As I bent to pick out dried leaves and fill the bowl, I realized I was feeling like my fountain: dried, thirsty, wanting. It is our Savior’s living water that fills us, but I was so busy with holiday shopping and baking and festivities that I hadn’t taken time to let Him refresh me.

Standing there at my fountain, water hose in hand, the words of my memory verse echoed in my mind: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters . . . Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? . . . Give ear and come to Me”(Isaiah 55:1-3).

OH! Spending labor on things I had to do, felt obligated to do, this was emptying me. I don’t know about you, but as a wife and mother, I don’t always take time for myself, and never enough time for my Lord.

God clearly defines rhythms of work and rest for us with the Sabbath expectations. Work is good, however work without the proper rest becomes toil, drudgery. We were created to rest and worship our Lord. When we don’t take this time, we run on empty. Empty for me leads to frustration, anger, bad attitudes, a short temper, depression. Empty leaves me feeling dry, crusty, and struggling – just like my fountain.

So I look at my schedule and reallocate my time. I make Bible study and prayer time a priority in the morning, filling my well with His living water. I make my Sunday rest a priority by worshiping with my church family, and doing as little “work” as possible, filling my well with His living water. And do you know what happens? The more I give to Him, the more I get. Gone is the frustration, anger, attitude, and depression. In its place is the fruit of His Spirit: peace, patience, joy, kindness.

Maybe you feel the trickle of your own shallow well. Maybe you hear the invitation in your own life: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters . . .” Don’t hesitate! Find time to be still with the Lord in His word, in prayer, in worship, and let Him refresh and fill you with His living water. It is just what you need.

5 Tips for Memorizing Scripture

Do you want to love God more and love His people? Do you want the strength and wisdom to overcome the obstacles in front of you? Then fill your mind with the Bible!

Memorizing scripture is one way to fill your mind with the Bible . . . but it isn’t always easy. Memorizing anything can prove difficult. I do not claim to have a great memory. In fact, compared to others I know, my memory is rather short on gigabytes. I still find great pleasure in memorizing God’s word though. So, if you’re like me and find yourself wanting to memorize the Truth of God and carry His word with you, then here are a few tips.

#1 – Chunk it! Take one little bit at a time to work with. When you have this part, add the next little part, repeating the two parts together. Add little chunks until you have the whole thing.

#2 – Color code! If you’re a visual learner, like me, this will help you. Put a red heart on the word “heart.” Or, color a green circle over the word “live.” Do something to bring a visual reminder of the key words in your verse. You’ll often remember the color or shape you’ve marked over the words before you remember the word, and it will remind you.

#3 – Hand motions! This sounds silly and may even feel sillier, but making hand motions to go with the words in your verse is a great technique. This is how you get little children to learn long verses. If they can do it, you can too!

#4 – Use your movie mind! Consider who the verse applies to and with your movie mind, visualize the speaker talking to them. For example, when I memorized Deuteronomy 4:39, I pictured Moses standing with arms stretched out addressing the whole Israelite camp. I knew this was his going away speech and in my movie mind I could hear his voice full of wisdom and hope. I would practice my verse with this scene in mind. And sometimes I would even try to say it in a Moses-like voice, but shhhhhhhh….. don’t tell anyone. That’ll be our secret.

#5 – Repeat! Repeat! Repeat! It is repetition that actually moves something to your long term memory. Practice every day. This includes going back over verses you’ve already mastered. The more you repeat them, the deeper they are planted in your mind . . . and in your heart, which is right where we want them to be.

So there you have it – 5 tips for memorizing scripture. Use one. Use all. May we always be planting His word in our minds and in our hearts.

The Anxious Thoughts Test

Being new is stressful. I had waited for this opportunity to make connections and build friendships. But there I sat feeling alone in a sea of people. And while everything was beautiful and the words were friendly and I was included, watching all those happy friends enjoy one another made me want to curl up and hide on the inside. Or better yet . . . run away.

My brain knew that it takes time to develop relationships. It takes working, playing, and doing life together for a while to grow into friendships that encourage and nurture. My brain knew this, however my heart was not being patient. My heart was breaking. My heart wanted it now.

Seeing his chance, Satan began his attack. You don’t fit in. They don’t need your help. You have no friends. People don’t like you. They are better than you. You should run. His whispers filled my thoughts building a wall. The more I listened, the less I tried to connect. I didn’t run away, but I didn’t make the most of my opportunity to build friendships in this new place. I knew I needed help to overcome.

When I returned home, I tried to work through my feelings. I prayed, “Lord, why am I feeling this way? I want to serve in this church, but these anxious thoughts are dividing me.” Through reading His Word and prayer, I was encouraged. Psalm 139:23-24 revealed the truth I really needed:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me, and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

What did my anxious thoughts reveal? Maybe they revealed that I don’t think I’m worthy enough for the Lord to use, or that I don’t think God has given me good enough gifts to be used in His kingdom. Maybe they reveal I think He can’t fix my brokenness, that there will never be a place for me among His people. If this is what my anxious thoughts reveal hidden in my heart, then I am sure it is offensive to Him. Lord, forgive me, for I know in my mind this is not who You are.

You are the God who cleanses me and makes me an instrument for noble purposes, holy and useful to do any good work (2 Timothy 2:21).

You are the Father in heaven who knows how to give better gifts than my earthly father. You give the Holy Spirit to help in all things (Luke 11:11-13).

You are the One who sent Jesus to bind up the brokenhearted, to free the captives, to release prisoners from darkness, to show Your favor, to comfort, to give provision, to bestow beauty and gladness and praise in our hearts for You. You are the One who makes Your children oaks of righteousness, a planting for the display of Your splendor (Isaiah 61:1-3).

The way everlasting is not found in my mixed up emotions and self-destructing thoughts. The way everlasting is found in the truth of His word. Here is what Psalm 139 revealed to my aching heart: I cannot entertain Satan’s lies and claim the Lord’s truth, for one cancels out the other in my heart and mind. If I believe I am useless, empty, and broken, then I cannot believe at the same time that I am useful, filled with the Holy Spirit, and mended together in Christ. I am either one or the other. By believing the lies, I am like a spoiled child who screams, “You don’t do anything for me!” This is not true! My Father has gone to unimaginable lengths for me. His love and gracious gifts are infinite and not defined by my circumstances.

If we are going to walk this life as a children of God, we will need to be purposeful about what we believe. Anxious thoughts reveal the hidden heart. Taking the time to wrestle through those whispering thoughts with the Lord in prayer and in studying His word is essential. We won’t overcome without Him. Our Lord is good, and He will reveal the lies we are gripping tightly. If we loosen the grip on the lies allowing them to slip from our grasp, we will be free to hold tightly to Jesus.

God does not allow us to be uncomfortable without reason. He allowed my anxious thoughts to reveal to me that I cannot keep entertaining the lies and claiming the truth. With all my heart, I want to claim His truth. So, I have resolved to work through all of my anxious thoughts with the Lord in order to reveal what hidden lies I am believing. I have resolved to start each day choosing joy. I have resolved to be a thankful child of God. Maybe you are like me. If so, I invite you to do the same. In His truth, we will be oaks of righteousness unmoved by the whispering winds of the enemy.

Dear Lord, Thank You for sending Your son. May I never forget what unimaginable lengths You have gone for me. Forgive me for holding tightly to the lies. Let me see them as lies, and help me to let go of their self-destructing power. Help me to soak in Your truth, and grow me so that I may shine Your glory to those around me. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Woe to Obstinate Me

I was always a daddy’s girl. Disappointing him was something I never wanted to do. So that was not my intention on the spring day when the azaleas were in full bloom and I decided I needed a big bouquet of them in my playhouse. I visited each bush and broke off big branches for my display. I remember the delicate petals on their fairy-pink blossoms. I also remember the look on Daddy’s face, the tone in his voice when he saw what I had done. I must have mutilated his bushes. It was the only time I ever remember being punished by him. I worked hard to be extra perfect to get back in his good graces after the azalea incident. I needed to do lots of good things to undo the bad thing I had done. If I worked hard enough, my mistake would be overlooked and forgotten, and my punishment would be curtailed.

This is a logical way to view my earthly daddy, but would not hold up in a just court of law. In our American justice system, if you commit murder, then you will be tried and punished according to the law. If you have been found guilty, you won’t be able to cry and promise never to do it again. You won’t be able to donate lots of money to the poor or adopt a whole bunch of orphans or build a new hospital. No. Your good works will not make amends or pay your debt to society. You will most likely go to jail, or even be sentenced to death, because that is the penalty for murder in our country. Justice is fair.

This holds even truer for our heavenly Father. His justice is firm, for He cannot be manipulated or coerced like our human courts. Surely, the penalty set forth will be assigned. He set down the laws and that punishment at the beginning of creation. Romans 6:24 tells us that “the wages of sin is death.” So many people think that if God is loving, He would not have a punishment that is so harsh. Yes. He is loving, but God is also immutable and just. God would be unjust if He did not follow through the same with each person.

God did not leave us to suffer in His justice, He also offers mercy – if we will just take it. The rest of Romans 6:24 tells us, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The cross where Jesus died is where justice and mercy collide. The cross is where God can be both just and loving. Why? Because Jesus offered himself in your place; he offered to take your punishment that must be served because God is a God of justice. You could not have taken that punishment and live. But Jesus could. In His love, God devised a way for His justice to be served, and you to be forgiven. Beautiful redemption!

The problem arises with us. The problem arises in me. I tend to treat my heavenly Father like my earthly father. I run around in circles crying and promising never to do it again. I work extra hard to be extra perfect to prove I’m good. I try to follow all the rules to show how good I am. I want to prove myself worthy, prove myself perfect. That’s a problem, mainly because I’m not.

Sometimes when I’ve goofed up and sinned, I try to clean up the mess. I put things back in order. I cover up my tracks. I tidy it all up, work to be extra good, and hope no one notices. Good works, I think, will make me forgiven and holy. Other times I talk to my friends and self-justify. You know – the blame game, or passing the buck. It’s not my fault. It’s someone else. Look what they did! Good works and never claiming the misdeed as my own: these are the ways I self-justify. I bet you’ve done this too. It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

We aren’t alone. The Bible is full of examples of how the Israelites did this very thing. The book of Isaiah is one such place. The title for chapter 30 in my Bible is “Woe to the Obstinate Nation.” The LORD describes through the prophet how Israel keeps turning away from Him, going back to idols, “carrying out plans that are not mine,” He says (v. 1). He calls them rebellious, deceitful children who refuse to listen to instruction, which is why they have suffering, misfortune, affliction, grief, and ruinous trouble. Refusing His instruction and offers is their woe.

He has a plan and He has given them instruction, but they aren’t listening. They are doing things their own way. God highlights how they have run to Egypt for protection, and have depended on something other than Him for their survival. This is why He says “Woe to the obstinate children,” in verse 1. Clearly, we can all see, God is the one they should trust. He is the one that will protect and provide for them, but they didn’t see it.

In verse 15, God reminds them of His plan and His instruction: “In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength . . .” He tells the Israelites they don’t need to go to Egypt to cover their mistakes. They just need to confess their mistakes and turn from them. They just need to be quiet and trust in Him but they don’t. The next part of the verse says, “but you would have none of it.” Oh! It breaks my heart. God is offering the Israelites freedom and rest and salvation and strength, but they don’t take it. They turn up their noses and run back to their sin and their own ways. “No thanks, God. I’m going to do it this way,” they say to Him.

This is all so easy to see . . . when we’re looking at the Israelites. But why don’t we see it in ourselves when we too try to self-justify our own sin instead of repenting and resting in His salvation? If we would stop passing the buck, and playing the blame game . . . If we would just repent by confessing our part and turning from it, then we would be saved, forgiven, free. Then we could find rest. Then our own chapter title would not be “Woe to Obstinate Me.”

I am not sure if it is arrogance, ignorance, or our default of “do good works to make amends” that keeps us from reaching out to the LORD. Maybe it is a little of all three. The Word of God tells us over and over that it is our confession of sins, our repentance, and our faith in Christ’s propitiation on the cross that rights our relationship with the LORD, not our good works. Will we do good works? Yes, out of thankfulness and honor to our LORD, but not seeking forgiveness and not attempting to win His favor.

As the story of the Israelite’s goes on, Isaiah 30:18 is a beautiful picture of God’s compassion and mercy in our self-inflicted times of woe. Listen to His sweet voice: “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” Can you hear the longing and love in His voice? I can. And it is this sweet voice that captures my heart and beckons me to change. In my movie mind, I see our Lord Jesus Christ sitting on His throne. I see him watching as we struggle, floundering in our inability to do what needs to be done. He has compassion in his eyes, for we are His. He stands up from his throne anxious to help us, and at just the right moment, he steps into history – a baby born in a manger, a baby who will grow to be a man and do the thing we could never do – die for our own sins. Because the LORD is a God of justice. Punishment must be extoled. Those who wait for him, who hope in him, they are blessed.

We are blessed with forgiveness, with redemption. We are blessed with His holy presence. We are blessed with His love and compassion, His protection and provision. The cross of Christ is both justice and love for those who would claim it. The Israelite’s problem was that they did not listen to the LORD. They attempted to do things on their own. That was their woe, and it is an example to us. Let it not be said of us, “woe to the obstinate nation.” Instead, let it be said of us, “They are blessed, for their hope is in the Lord. They found salvation in repentance and rest. They found strength in quietness and trust. They wanted all of it!” Let that be us!

Dear LORD, I know that I sometimes don’t see where I am “going back to Egypt.” Forgive me. Open my eyes. Help me to be aware of my tendencies. Help me to turn from them and put my trust in You. Help me to rely on Your great plans and not my own shameful one. Thank You for Your great mercy. You are wonderful! I want to honor You all the days of my life. Give me the perseverance to do this. In Jesus’s name, Amen.