He spread a cloud for covering, and fire to give light by night. They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.1
Today marks my father’s 38th death anniversary. He was born 1909 Jul 7; thus, 7-7. In a way, he was superstitious; e.g., oro-plata-mata was evident in our home. Definitely, an influence from his childhood. He had a favorite number 7. He got his wish and died 1986 Sep 4, at 77. He was religious; daily, before leaving home he would stand before his altar and pray silently (I wonder what he prayed for? And had he known words had power2 would he have prayed aloud?). He gave his family what he knew best. He was zealous for God, but not according to knowledge.3
As much as I try to remember memories of my father, admittedly, now the details are scant. Unlike Our Father. The verses above recount the story of the Israelites journeying out of Egypt through the wilderness under the leadership of Moses, 430 years from the time that Abraham entered Egypt.4 Despite their grumbling,5 God remembered his holy promise to Abraham. And God gave them what they asked for—I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’6
The company we keep weighs much influence on us. Thus, to Israel God gave a stern warning not to inter-marry with the outsiders7—for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.8 Solomon was a stark example. He loved many foreign wives9—For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.10
Likewise, Ahab took for his wife Jezebel and went and served Baal and worshipped him.11 Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.12 Then there was Jehoram, king of Judah. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.13 Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, since he promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever14 (We can trace the lineage of Jesus from David15).
He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded for a thousand generations, . . .16 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!17
Notes:
1. Psalm 105:39-42
2. Proverbs 18:21
3. Romans 10:1-4
4. Exodus 12:40-42
5. Exodus 16:2-12
6. Exodus 16:12
7. Deuteronomy 7:1-26
8. Deuteronomy 7:4
9. 1 Kings 11:1-4
10. 1 Kings 11:4
11. 1 Kings 11:29-34
12. 1 Kings 11:33
13. 2 Kings 8:16-18
14. 2 Kings 8:19
15. Matthew 1:1-16
16. Psalm 105:8
17. Psalm 105:1-4
