Moses was an immense champion of God. He was given the monumental task of bringing God’s People to the Promised Land. But getting to the goal line and crossing over into the end zone are not the same thing (sorry, football season is nearly here). In the end, after all the things Moses had gone through, after his friendship with God had been closer than anyone else ever had, God did not allow Moses to take the People into the Promised Land.
Now, God does allow Moses to get close enough to see the Promised Land, but God prevents Moses from even tapping a toe across the goal. On top of that, God appoints Joshua – Moses’ underling- to lead the People into the Promised Land. All that seems just plain mean. Why would God do that? The Psalmist says, ‘Taste and see the goodness of the Lord’. How does that add up? Does God have a mean streak in Him?
Much can be said. For instance, partial obedience is not obedience. At a point when the people of Israel hadn’t enough water en route to the Promised Land, God told Moses to speak to a rock which would then give forth water. Instead, Moses struck the rock. Thus, Moses didn’t do what God told him to do by altering the situation (slightly) into what Moses wanted. God still provided water. But Moses’
failure to be fully obedient is one major reason God barred Moses from entering the Promised Land.
Harsh? No, God made an important point.
I was on a retreat years ago and was able to speak with the retreat master. The retreat master made an observation about something I said. I don’t recall what I said in response, but my sense is that I indicated that I would do something like what God wanted. The retreat master, a jovial, good-natured man instantly and loudly barked ‘DON’T TRIFLE WITH GOD’. I hope I never forget his admonition. Partial obedience is not obedience. It’s like getting to the goal line but not scoring.
Another thing, our actions demonstrate whether we trust God or not. God has made it abundantly clear that He wants only the best for us. When we doubt or question Him and take a course of action other than the one He indicates, we show distrust in God. There is a right way that we can take with confidence and there is our way which may be close, but it is not right. A friend of mine was with NASA in the 1960’s. The NASA physicists and engineers made a tremendous effort to ensure that the astronauts launched into space came back intact and healthy. They all knew that there was the right way and many alternative ways that would not be exactly right. My friend is a prayerful man (as were many of the NASA team) and he prayed vigorously that God would help them get things right. Often, I suspect always, when it is important that we get things right, we are presented the opportunity to trust God or not. Always trust God and move ahead.
God is not mean. He can only want the best for us. But He does want us to commit. After Joshua leads the People into the Promised Land, he pushes the People to make two defining decisions: Will you obey God? Will you trust God? Joshua’s challenge remains: ‘If it does not please you to serve the Lord completely, decide today who you will serve.’ Please let’s pray for each other that we join Joshua and proclaim, ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’.