Beech Tree News Network

Deuteronomy 1:2 tells us, “There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.” This verse may seem out of place unless we remember the context. By this time, the Israelites had made it through the wilderness wanderings, and are now at the border of Canaan near the Jordan River. These folks had endured forty years of wanderings as a punishment for their rebellion against God in Numbers 13 and 14.

    The Israelites were at the southern border of Canaan when they rebelled against God. Ten of the twelve spies said that while the land was just as God described, it would be impossible to conquer the people (Num. 13:31-33). Israel listened to the majority rather than Joshua and Caleb, and rebelled against God. They even demanded to go back to Egypt (Num. 14:4)! God then rejected them, and threatened their death (Num. 14:12). Through Moses’ intercession, God did not destroy them in a short period of time. God determined that they would wander for forty years in the Wilderness until that generation of people had died (Num. 14:34-35).

    Thus, that generation waited in the wilderness, and wandered while the people from twenty years old and upward finally died (Num. 14:29). After this, God allowed the people to go into the Promised Land. A new generation possessed it, and fulfilled the promise God had made to Abraham so long ago (Gen. 15:13-16). Deuteronomy records that they finally accomplished their eleven days’ work … in forty years! Is it possible we can have the problem of only accomplishing eleven days’ work in forty years? What can we learn from these people’s example?

    Let us learn that our sin, any sin, will result in wasted time on this earth. Just think, after receiving the commandments, and the instructions to the Levites (this lasted about a year, Num. 9), these people were poised to begin taking the land of Promise in just a week and a half! Sadly, because of sin (Num. 13-14), these people would wait forty more years to do the work and enjoy the promise.

    In like manner, the time we spend engaged in sin is wasted time that we will never get back! Some may spend a proverbial “forty years” in sin, never realizing what they would have in Christ. What a tragedy! A life of sin wastes our time, talents, and energy. The time we could have used in devotion to God and bringing others to Christ has been wasted in selfishness, and perhaps even discouraging people from following the Lord! In contrast, “our labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor. 15:58)! In other words, we do not waste our time when we are doing the Lord’s will and living for Him. There are no regrets, no embarrassment, and no wishing for another chance in the Lord!

    Let us take a moment to examine ourselves (II Cor. 13:5). What kind of life are we living? Too many things in this life are a waste of time, anyway. Why would we want to waste more time in sin and separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2)? Let us repent and follow the Lord today while we still have breath and opportunity (II Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7-8; Mk. 16:16).

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167