Wander Fruitfully

Wander fruitfully in this world so that one can go to Heaven directly and if not, to the Purgatory at least rather than to Hell

In Deuteronomy 1 – 6, Moses repeated the commands and teachings of God to HIS people, to prepare them entering the Promised Land. After many centuries, people live in different places of the Earth, dividing in term of country. Physically and geographically, we may be settled down. However, we still wander in this world and are waiting to enter the Promised Land, which is also named as Heaven. Have we learned from the Children of Israel to get ourselves prepared well for the entry?

Some good Christians may go into Heaven directly after death. More common circumstance is landing to the Purgatory because the deceased carried some sins that must be cleansed first. The time in Purgatory varies and the Holy Souls couldn’t do anything to help themselves. So, it’s better for everyone to commit the least number of sins and do atonement as much as one can while we are wandering in this world.

God is the same living one, forever and ever. Hence, it’s no surprise to realize that HIS principles to children of Israel are also valid to us and many generations afterwards. The LORD is almighty and HE demands people following HIM wholly. This following requires knowing and taking action with one’s free will. Everybody can choose to be blessed and delivered by God or to become HIS enemy and keep ignoring HIM.

Our lifetime is the training period and we are in the wandering mode to learn God’s statues and judgments, to keep and do them. Precision is a must as we shouldn’t do more or less than God commanded. We also have the responsibility to teach our children about God, to prevent corruption happened generation after generation.

In case corruption happens, reconciliation with God is possible. Those who seek the LORD, they will find HIM but one must seek HIM with all his heart and all his soul. God will never forsake us. HE is just and will apply punishment according to one’s sin, for example, Moses was rejected for entering into the Promised Land in his lifetime.

God never hides the secret of how people can get well-prepared to the Promised Land. HE keeps giving instructions to HIS people on how to wander fruitfully. HE not only guides, but also protects HIS people, we have nothing to fear. Never forget God, but love HIM with all our heart, all our soul and all our strength. We will find ourselves easier to focus on observing HIS rules and resisting temptations by worshiping the LORD only, without any idols such as devils and any of HIS creations.  

Let’s pray to God:

O, merciful God, Your salvation never expires providing that we seek You with all our heart, soul and strength. Help us love like Christ and learn to wander in this world fruitfully by walking on Your path to the Promised Land. Amen.

Learn from God's Justice

Be fair to God and to our neighbors correctly.

In Numbers 25 – 36, God promoted justice in HIS commands. Don’t insist on equality solely in every occasion. Be mindful that God’s mercy and love to people are incomparable.

Everybody is free to choose

God punished Israel’s harlotry in Moab because they chose to sin against HIM. HE sent plague that stopped only when atonement was made for the Congregation by killing the offenders. We can choose to be blessed or damned.

Everybody gets a share

God commanded that land should be divided for inheritance. Larger tribe would have larger inheritance; smaller tribe smaller inheritance. Distribution by size aimed at leaving out none of the tribe or family.

The sharing of God’s grace is for all. God’s Inheritance Laws further extended to daughters if their fathers got no son to inherit the land. Neither seizure by marriage nor by force was allowed among children of Israel.

Earn leadership on one’s own merits

Fairness is still applicable for things that can’t be shared, for example, leadership. God selected Joshua to be the next leader after Moses because his faithfulness to the LORD was a marked difference, entitling him to such great honor and responsibility.

Love God in return

There were various offerings to God at different times in a year. God owns everything. The articles involved are insignificant; it is the continuous memory, reverence and obedience to God that count.

Fairness for vow

God gave father and husband the power to confirm or void the vow made by his daughter or wife. They must do their duty faithfully. Also, everybody should offer no false vow to God.

Be at God’s side

God is full of goodness. Be cooperative with the LORD to avoid being HIS enemies and suffering from decline like Midianites. One’s possession won’t become plunder to be divided by others.

Play fair in God’s plan

The Congregation must go into wars to drive out the inhabitants of the land. God demands HIS people following HIM wholly. Some tribes settled first but they would be armed and fought the wars until all children of Israel have settled down with inheritance of land.

Exercise restricted mercy to accidental manslaughter

God commanded to have cities of refuge so that whoever killed a person accidentally might not die until he stood before the congregation. That person was liable to be killed by the avenger if he was outside the city of refuge.

Other justice

God demanded witness, which shouldn’t be just one. Also, there should be no ransom for the life of a murderer. No pollution to the land with blood as this is defilement.

God wants all people enjoy HIS blessings. Comply with HIS laws to be blameless and be blessed.

Let’s pray to God:

Our loving Father, Your justice is supreme, glory to You. Please help us understand the underlying love and mercy You granted us. Let us treat our neighbors righteously by spreading Your principles all over the world. Amen.