Journeys and Destinations

In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony, and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai. And the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. They set out for the first time at the command of the LORD by Moses. Numbers 10:11-13 ESV

With the Exodus behind them, the days of preparation of the Tabernacle behind them, and the organization of the people by tribe and camp accomplished, the people of Israel set out for the Promised Land. What anticipation and excitement must have filled the camp! They were leaving the desolate wilderness, finally! Soon (they believed) they would be enjoying the building of a new nation and a new land and enjoying the fruits of their labors. Life was moving again. They were not just stuck waiting for something to happen.

Moses must have been excited, too. God’s call and promise, begun months ago, was truly unfolding. 

But, not everyone expressed enthusiasm about the journey. The eleventh chapter of Numbers bears witness to a sizeable group of people who felt they were trapped in no-man’s-land. They had left Egypt and slavery, but were not yet to the “better place” promised by Moses. They began to complain about the lack of variety in food—missing their slave rations because they had meats, vegetable and fruit back then. Hard to imagine that fruit would seem more important than freedom, but their eyes had narrowed to focus on only what they were missing, not what they had gained.

In the next chapter (Numbers 12), even Miriam and Aaron began to doubt the leadership of Moses. All was not well in the camp. Their uncertainty was growing now that God’s promise was at hand.

But one has to wonder if Moses knew how long this journey would take them. Did he know they would wander in Sinai for the next forty years? Had he known that, would he have taken the job? Or, did this Promised Land even matter to him? Was the journey with God sufficient?

In other words, which was the bigger blessing: the journey with God or the destination with God? That is kind of like asking which is better: Peace and joy with Diet Coke, or Peace and Joy with Diet Dr. Pepper? Peace and Joy with water is pretty dog-gone good; would one quibble about the choice of soft drink? The gifts of Peace and Joy trump the drink options! Given Peace and Joy one might even drink Pepsi products! No big deal. The operative phrase in this whole discussion is “Peace and Joy.” 

Likewise, the operative phrase for Moses and the Israelites was “with God.” The Israelites already had their treasure with them! The God of the Exodus, the God of the Red Sea, the God who was daily providing all of their needs!

Whether or not that was sufficient or not depended not on reality, but on perspective. 

The complainers were all caught up in the “journey/destination” debate, and many were not “journey” people. They hated the wilderness; they hated manna; they hated tents, they hated hiking with all their stuff; they hated the uncertainty of where Moses (actually God) was leading them.  For them, the phrase “with God” was absent. They were debating journey and destination as concrete, tangible, discreet subjects. They were debating the harsh realities in front of them versus the dream of something better. “Journey” (alone) never wins that battle. 

Most of the Israelites missed the point. How about us? Which is more encouraging for us: the journey with God or the destination with God? What is the next thing we are waiting for? What is that new land for which we hope? Does the promise become bigger than the giver of the promise? Do we become dissatisfied with the tedium of the present because we are too busy longing for that future event or experience or destination? God is at hand! Now. Here.

It is worthy to note that if we have trouble being content “with God” here and now, we will likely be just as dissatisfied later when we arrive wherever we are longing to arrive.

The Great News? Eternity begins today! Our abundant living (Psalm 1:1-3; Jeremiah 17:7-9; John 10:10) “with God” can begin anytime and in any place—even in our wilderness! May God bless and encourage you as you seek Him where you are.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 ESV