Numbers 35:9-11 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then you shall…

The Lord was giving instruction to Moses that he was to pass on to the people regarding what they were to do upon entering the Promised Land. There is an undertone of sadness here, because Moses will not be entering the Promised Land with them. Moses, like the rest of his generation, had acted unfaithfully and so was not allowed to enter the land. However, God was giving instructions on the blessing the Israelites were to receive through Moses.

Sometimes, we do not get to partake of the blessings that help to bring about. Sometimes, we are like Moses, giving instruction to those who will go and be blessed, while we are left on the outside. Are you willing to do the hard things God may ask you to do, even if you are not the one who receives the blessing from your actions?

“Will you walk a little faster?” said a whiting to a snail.
“There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle—will you come and join the dance?
Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?
“You can really have no notion how delightful it will be
When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!”
But the snail replied “Too far, too far!” and gave a look askance—
Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.
“What matters it how far we go?” his scaly friend replied.
“There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.
The further off from England the nearer is to France—
Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.
Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?”