 |
 |
A RUT is a long deep track made by the repeated passage of the wheels of vehicles. To the right is a picture of a circular rut. Figuratively, a rut is a habit or pattern of behavior that has become unproductive and dull, but is hard to change. Ever been, “stuck in a rut? in your personal life, work, marriage or ministry?” It’s frustrating! paralysis has set in and momentum is gone. As the cliche goes… Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. In certain situations, that is so true.
40 years of wandering in the wilderness? now that was a rut! A mere 250 mile journey should have taken just 11 days to accomplish, even for 600,000 men, plus women and children. However, to transform the habits, behaviors, and idolatrous patterns of 400 years of slavery in Egypt took 40 years. The identity crises, character issues, doubt, murmuring and complaining, etc. were much more difficult to root out than to shuttle their bodies to the destination. The day eventually came when it was time for them to get out of the rut.
1“Then we turned and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me, and circled Mount Seir for many days. 2“And the LORD spoke to me, saying, 3‘You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.. (Deut. 2:1-2)
 |
|
God explained the reason for their rut, once it was time to enter the promised land, “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” (Deut. 8:2)
Humility is having a modest or low view of one’s own importance. Selah! (pause and think about it) Testing or proving is being put in a situation that reveals your strength, performance, reliability or quality. God tells Israel, “Here’s why you’ve been stuck in this rut for so long.“ It isn’t just the way it is. It isn’t her fault or his fault. I’m not punishing you for being bound in your past. It isn’t even ‘the devil.’ It’s training to purify you, to help you get over yourself and obey Me.
