2 The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
As I read the first verse I thought it sounded like an honor to get to live in Jerusalem and that they cast lots to see who received the valuable limited invite. Then in verse two it says they applauded those who volunteered to go.
It reminds me of when we moved to the QC. Our leaders asked me to go and it was a good job and a decent honor to get asked but I kept looking for excuses not to go because we were so happy and comfortable in our place. So while it was a good opportunity for me I had friends at work congratulating me but I think part of their thought was better you than me.
Its a big deal to move and in this chapter we see there were people so moved by what was going on in Jerusalem that they volunteered to pickup their families and move them. We moved to the QC in part because we thought God was telling us too and it worked out well and was a good experience. But I think if he was telling us to move again now we would be pretty resistant. I don't like to say it out loud but if I'm honest with myself it makes me realize my faith is weak knowing how much I would struggle to follow his direction if it really was in conflict with my own desire.
here's to trying to seek out what God wants us to do and then being willing to follow through on it.
knut
I completely understand where you're coming from on this one. I have this little feeling inside, that they are going to ask me to go to Brazil to take my buddies place, when he comes back. I don't know what I'll say yet. I've been praying about it, but don't know if I'm really listening for his answer. I have a pretty loud inner voice, and it can EASILY drown out his gently nudgings. hahaha.
ReplyDeleteAs for the people moving into Jerusalem.....they were moving into the hot zone. In their own villages, they were probably so remote and scattered that they weren't a significant target for their enemies. But, inside the walls they would have been sitting ducks.
Like you said.....sometimes with honor comes risk.
too many names in these chapters.
peace
Gina just reminded me that she said the little nudgings for us to move to the QC were from Satan! she didn't want to go either
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