Deuteronomy 1:43 –
“This is what I told you, but you would not listen. Instead, you again rebelled against the LORD’s command and arrogantly went into the hill country to fight.”
Moses is addressing the Israelites who are ready to enter the Promised Land on the eleven month after 40 years of wandering the wilderness. Moses is going through a history of how they got to the point of wandering around for 40 years on a journey that should have taken about 2 weeks. The first 4 chapters focus on reviewing this history of the covenant, then Deuteronomy lays down the Laws of the covenant, then sealing the covenant and finally charging the leaders before heading into the Promised Land. This is the end for Moses and he knows it, so it’s time to make sure Israel gets it all.
Part of what started the 40 year journey was when they were ready to enter the Promised Land the first time there was panic because of the size and strength of the people who occupy these lands. Even after the people had been miraculously lead out of Egypt, they vehemently questions God’s intentions. God got ticked at their lack of faith and said wait, but even still a group decided it was time and moved forward assuming God would be with them anyway. That ended up being a major miscalculation!
How many times have we not listened and did things anyway? I know I have more than once over my life. I tend to go for it now and assume it’s time, unfortunately God was saying not yet and I refused to listen. I think that’s why I play the Lotto, it’s my rushing to get God’s blessing before His time. Sometimes it’s hard work and faith before blessings. I could go into many examples of how this happened in my life and in your life, but that would take months to compile! The key is listen to God, do try to move your agenda forward until it’s time and follow God’s instructions during the process. The key here is make sure it’s God and not your own selfish inner voice. Find out what God says in this book to solidify your “gut”. I can say I have not found a story about someone winning their family fortune by a game of chance.
NOTE – the casting of lots in the Bible was to clarify God’s will, it was also done with prayer … and it was free … the Lottery is not a prayed over “game” to determine God’s will … it’s just a game that people pray to win!