Deuteronomy 1: Surrounded But Not Destroyed

So I wanted to begin with Deuteronomy. It is the summation of one of the most central stories of the Hebrew Scriptures (OT). It is the beautiful picture of Moses standing in the desert with Israel at the end of his life, old, crippled and ready to die. He stand before Israel and delivers this great summary of all they have been through.

This beginning chapter gave me an awesome image: God as father carrying his son (Israel) through the desert, sea out of slavery into freedom. As i read those words (Deut. 1.31) i thought of how i would do anything to free Sienna from danger. Here was God doing everything in his power to lead Israel out from under the yoke of slavery into freedom. He "went ahead of you on your journey, in fore by night and in a cloud by day" (1.32)-- YHWH was there leading his people. This is why some say that the story of Scripture is the story of God's presence. He led them through all of that: fought the Egyptians through signs and wonders, led Israel through the sea and their response was grumbling: "In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord you God" (1.32). So, God's response to them was the same--they didn't trust him, so he wouldn't trust them: "Not a man of this evil generation shall see the good land...except Caleb...because he followed the Lord wholeheartdely" (1.36). Thats a difficult thing to do some times isn't it. Follow God into the darkness where you are not certain weather you will return alive or even sane! But Caleb (and Joshua; 1.28) did. Inspite of all those around him grumbling, and losing faith he remained steadfast.

That is a hard thing to do. To not reflect the attitudes of those closest to you, of those who surround you, those you trust and love--when those attitudes are not focused on the Lord. I am struggling with thos things right now in my life. Surrounded by people on all sides that are committed to tearing down instead of bulding up and i find myself getting lost in it all--joining the crowd instead of going against the grain. But God calls us to be like Caleb, surrounded by attitudes that destory and being committed to bringing life instead.