DAY 60

LISTENING TO GOD

Numbers 20, 21 & 22 and Mark 7:1-13

Talk about readings that are “chock-full” of information. Today we read about the death of Miriam and Aaron; we read about Moses and water from a rock; we read about conflicts with various kings and peoples; we read about a bronze serpent; and we read about a talking donkey – and that is just the Old Testament.

Any one of these could yield a substantial blog posting, but I do see a thread running through them – Listening for God – if we can hear Him then things will go smoother. Regardless, His plan will not be thwarted. Consider for a moment that the Israelites disobeyed God by complaining against Moses, Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock twice, then there are peoples who oppose the Israelites and God prevails – Not a lot of listening going on.

Perhaps the two most outrageous (if I might use that adjective) stories are the bronze serpent and the talking donkey. In the episode of the bronze serpent we see the people again complaining, calling the free food God is providing worthless! God’s sends serpents and the people have yet another epiphany and repent. It is interesting to note that we humans are better listeners when we have gotten ourselves into a jam. God then does a rather unique thing. He has a bronze serpent cast that when the people look at it they will be healed. A question we might ask, “Is this idolatry?” It is a good question. I don’t think so. Rather it is God again asking the people to trust Him, and we won’t hear of people worshiping this image over God in the future.

The next event is Balaam’s donkey. I love this story. Balaam’s Ass is an instrument of God’s sovereign plan and apparently a better listener!

The story of Balaam’s Donkey and the Bronze Serpent challenge the modern mind, but don’t you think they challenged the mind of people who have lived hundreds of years before us? What else might challenge our mind? Jesus walking on water, people being healed, a sea being parted…the list could go on. Which brings us to the New Testament…Jesus points out that God’s Word is not to be displaced by human commands.

I am pleased you are reading the Bible with me. The New Testament affirms the importance of God’s Word, and therefore it is important that we understand it…even if it means wrestling with these texts and smiling a bit at talking donkeys…it is important that we listen.