“Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; … But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.”
Numbers 33:50-52, 55 NKJV
There were 3 separate directives for the Israelites to follow when they first possessed the long awaited Promised Land: drive out, destroy, and demolish.
First, they were to yāraš the inhabitants – in other words drive out by force whatever is there so that it can be fully possessed.
Second, they were directed to āḇaḏ – to completely destroy or vanquish, until it can no longer be recognized or identified, all “maśkîṯ” and “massēḵâ” – the carvings, engraved stones, figure, imaginations image, idols, and pictures and molded images, – gods like the golden calf.
Finally, they were instructed to bāmâ – to demolish all of the high places or elevated stands where Baal and other gods were worshipped.
The Israelites stood on the edge of possessing a long awaited promise, yet G-d knew the promise could become a “thorn in their sides” if they didn’t fully possess it. There was work to do before inhabiting the promise.
Standing on the precipice of a promise myself, being able to see a glimmer of the hope of what will be, this resonated with me today.
I have a “high” place in my heart and mind, a place that has become like engraved stones that take up room in my heart – it’s a list I keep. A list of regrets a mile long. It might not be written, but it is engraved in my mind.
I carry regret around like baggage and hold to memories like idols – lamenting the past, wondering what might have been. The Lord spoke to me today that my list of regrets, those things I lament, which I can pull up in my mind in .01 seconds flat, are like engraved images, unwelcome inhabitants, and high places of false worship.
The truth is that I wouldn’t be who I am without each bend in the road that led me to the place I am today. And in order to fully possess all the gifts, lessons, pain, and promises that He has for me in THIS season, I have to take off and completely destroy the “masks” I both wear and carry like armor from one season into the next. I have to drive out, destroy, and demolish EVERYTHING that opposes Him – and regrets oppose His goodness.
Father – You’ve heard my lament. You’ve seen my list. Forgive me. Father I ask that You tear it up in my mind – the what might’ve, could’ve, should’ve been. I say I trust You – then regrets leave me doubting. Forgive me. Heal my mind and my heart. Take my regrets and give me Your truth today. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Numbers 33-34