Go North!
Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea, as the Lord had directed me. For a long time we made our way around the hill country of Seir.
2 Then the Lord said to me, 3 “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north. Deuteronomy 2 (NIV)
Let’s talk about Moses and those Israelite rascals, shall we?
An Eleven-day Trip
Which took 38-40 years. Being a road trip enthusiast, I can relate to routes that didn’t work.
When we went on our Great Alaska Adventure, our plan was to enter Canada from Michigan and then drive westward and northward to Alaska. After a day in Canada we realized THAT was a bad idea. Two reasons: it was going to take forever on roads that were being worked on and because the cost of gasoline was much more than in the United States. We changed our route and re-entered the USA by way of northeastern Minnesota. We re-entered Canada in the state of Washington. It was a very wise decision.
Moses spoke to the Israelites, in Deuteronomy 1 and said…
It is eleven days journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. Now it came to pass in the fortieth year… that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him as commandments to them. Deuteronomy 1.2-3
What Was The Problem?
Can you imagine? What could have taken ELEVEN days took them 40 years. What? Why? Moses says it best,
I alone am not able to bear you…how can I alone bear your problems and your burdens and your complaints? Deuteronomy 1.9,12
Moses goes on with a litany of “why’s and wherefore’s.” God Himself told Moses, “You’ve been going around this same old mountain long enough – now, turn north.”
Stiffnecked, stubborn children of Israel.
Stiffnecked, stubborn, rebellious Susan.
You’ve been around this same old mountain for umpteen years – now turn and go north (up!).
Identify
And, here’s our take-away…
What’s your mountain?
Where’s your north?
Only you know the answer and if you don’t? Ask Father to reveal it to you and then do something about it.
We all have this moment at one time or other. I have learned over many years, to deal with it right away; immediately upon realizing I am going in circles.
Today’s the day…
You had me all excited for a hot minute…
As in north to Maine? I wish!
Wise words – shared on Twitter!
Thanks, Sharon. Always appreciate your visits!
I thought the same as Michele – a road trip north 🙂 But to be honest, I wouldn’t want you to do a trip that was not in His timing for you and Lowell. “Stiff necked and stubborn.” Not adjectives we want to cling to or admire. May we be quick to respond to the Lord’s correction and direction.
I’m no longer ‘that’ person, Jo…. I do learn lessons!!!
I know you’re not! It was a general statement. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I’m glad we’ve cleared this up on DM!!!
Great idea for a tattoo! A constant reminder of God’s direction inked! Go north, you!!!
It is, isn’t it?
My “North”, I am 7*** years old. I still bite my nails! It is time to head north definitely on this.
Tattoo? I like it…North!
YES! I would call the nail-biting your mountain!!!
Ah the Red Sea Road one of my favorites!
Xo
But, only for 11 days!!! Not 40 years. LOL
That’s crazy. I never noticed before about the Israelites taking 40 years over ground that required eleven days. Wow. All because they were stubborn and faithless. But that’s quite a lesson for us; it makes me wonder what I’m taking 40 years on that should be 11. 😉
It makes us all wonder!!!! Good to take inventory.
Susan,
My stubbornness has left me going in circles in the desert too. My cue to seek His wisdom despite my stubbornness! Yes, go north!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Yes ma’am. We’ve been in the same camp!
Susan, thank you for this valuable lesson. Throughout my life I have often went in circles, making things harder than they had to be. I love this lesson because it reminds me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and pay attention when he is telling me to go NORTH. Blessings xo
And THAT is it in a nutshell! LOVE!
Great post! Since I have been reading Joshua lately this has got me thinking about what that forty year journey must have been like for him and Caleb and how frustrating it must have been.
Yes, I’d rather make the decision right the first time instead of going in circles. Those round-abouts are NOT fun. 🙂