Every time I read through the Old Testament, I am astounded at the unwillingness of the Children of Israel to listen. It seems that they do nothing but complain and make demands. Especially as a child, I thought they were very undeserving of the title "chosen people".
The more I look at my life, I realize that they aren't so different from me. I've been trying hard to find a lesson in each chapter of scripture, down to the most boring sacrificial rite or genealogy. It's not always easy, but there is at least one lesson to be found in each chapter.
I thought I'd share of few gems from the "boring" chapters. Many themes keep popping up again and again, something that surprised me as I've kept writing them down.
1. God is always there. Whether it's a literal cloud or a quiet presence, his hand is always in our lives. He takes care of us, even when we don't ask.
2. Every commandment is important and brings us closer to God. Israel had a "lesser" law, but the purpose was the same - to point them to Christ. Many commandments were symbolic, and many laws had scientific reasons behind them that no one knew at the time (like their laws of purification).
3. God qualifies us for our callings. Moses didn't want to be a prophet, but he was able to lead the Israelites for more than 40 years.
4. The best way to be happy is to remember God always, worship only Him, and stop lusting for more. Israel's main faults were murmuring and turning away from God to worship idols.
I can do a lot better. I complain about my lack of time for myself, money, and fitness. I want more when I have enough. I don't feel like I'm cracked up to be a mom of one, much less three children. I forget that I have more than enough, that motherhood is my divine calling, and that I don't always needs reasons to live every commandment to its fullest. Since I am a member of the Church, I guess that literally makes me a "child of Israel". I don't condemn their actions in the wilderness. I've complained about many of the same things.
And now, I must take care of a complaining child. :)
Murmur murmur: I think the natural man will always find something to be unsatisfied about. The Father of Contention does not want us to be content; you and I both know that it is through Jesus Christ that we can be more than satisfied.
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