Are We There Yet?
Who is like Yahweh?
One of my favorite hikes in this remarkable world is along a rugged ancient path that climbs through the red-rock mountain ranges of the Negev Desert in southern Israel.
"After the Israelites left Egypt they came to the Desert of Sinai and camped there in front of the mountain... and Moses went up to God." (Exodus. 19)
It was here, in this incomprehensibly inhospitable place, that Yahweh chose to make a home and dwell with his Hebrew family.
"I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people..." (Leviticus 26)
It was here that the children of Jacob learned they had been chosen from "all the peoples of the earth to be Yahweh's treasured possession…” not because they were commendable or remarkable, at all, but because the God of Abraham and Isaac had “set his love upon them forever…” (Deuteronomy 7)
In this desolate place the family of Yahweh was, humanly speaking, up a creek without a paddle. There was no water and little rain. No grass. No trees. No army. And with no land of their own their lot was to wander around the harsh Sinai wilderness with their “Wilderness God” hoping not to trespass on territory Yahweh had granted to other nations in Genesis 10.
Was this to be their 'home' forever? How long, O Lord? Would they ever get to tend their own olive groves and vineyards through life's four seasons like normal people? Would they ever build a home with a foundation and a proper kitchen? Would they always get their water from rocks and bread from heaven? Would the dust ever settle? Would they EVER GET THERE?
But it was in this harsh place that Yahweh spoke tenderly to his Bride. It was here, at her most vulnerable and exposed, that Israel saw and heard their Heavenly Father’s power, protection, and promises to never leave her or forsake her.
It was here that Israel came to know that when Yahweh speaks, even proud granite mountain ranges are pleased to unleash a river of living water in whose puddles happy Hebrew children might laugh and play. It was here they learned to lift their eyes up from the poison and be healed.
In this particular place, Yahweh's hand-picked place, Israel came to understand her purpose in God's story: She would be the means - Yahweh’s light - by which God would bring all the nations living in deep darkness, finally and joyously home.
I love walking these ancient paths with God and his people. I need the red dust and the sting of the sweat to remember that this isn’t a drill: God’s cosmic drama happened here and is still happening everywhere.
Who is like Yahweh?
It is God’s unchanging desire to dwell with his people. To walk with them. To come down and be near. To make a beautiful home filled with laughter and life and feasting. It’s God’s unchanging will to defend, provide, protect, and cherish his family of every tribe and tongue, and to enjoy them forever.
Who is like Yahweh?
You and I wear the Name of Christ because of Yahweh’s action with Israel in this very place.
Friends, who is like Yahweh?
Shalom and love to you and yours, because Yahweh’s word does not fail.
Kim
PS. David and I (and Titus)are returning to Israel next year and we can take 30 friends! Learn more here!