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By then, that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them. The Lord’s hand was against them until he had completely eliminated them from the camp. Deuteronomy 2:14-15
It took 38 years from the time the Israelites had sent 12 spies into Canaan until this time when Moses reviewed their history prior to entering the land. God is never in a rush. He had said before all the adults would die before they crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land and 38 years later that finally became a reality. (I wonder if the people kept track of who was left and if they got excited when there were less than 10 “old people” left.) Moses wrote that the “Lord’s hand was against them.” He was not opposed to or working against his people. Actually, he was nurturing and providing for them all those 38 year—but he was not going to let them enter the Promised Land until the time was right. How many times have you felt as if God’s “hand was against” you? He may keep you from experiencing “success” as you define it, but he has never stopped loving you and preparing you for the blessing he wants to pour out on you. I have learned my best lessons from those times when God forced me to taste of failure. I thank him for those lessons.