Preparing For The Journey North

Spring, c. 33 AD

Preparing For The Journey North

With the Passover festivals officially concluded, the disciples of Jesus are making preparations to depart Judea. The Master had explicitly told them, both before His death and through the women at the empty tomb, to go to Galilee, where He would appear to them. Leaving the volatile environment of Jerusalem offers a much-needed reprieve.

Galilee is their home. It is where they first heard His call to "follow Me," and where they witnessed the bulk of His miraculous ministry. Returning to the shores of the Sea of Tiberias is a return to their roots, away from the intense scrutiny of the Sanhedrin. They pack their belongings with a mixture of profound relief and eager anticipation of seeing the risen Lord again.

"But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.'"
— Mark 16:7 (LSB)

Timeline Box: The departure for Galilee occurred after the immediate post-resurrection appearances in Jerusalem.

Judges Era, c. 1162 BC

Gideon Tests God With A Fleece

Called by an angel to deliver Israel from the Midianites, Gideon is struggling with doubt. He has asked Yahweh for a specific sign: to make a fleece of wool wet with dew while the surrounding threshing floor remains completely dry. God has graciously granted this request, providing the hesitant judge with the physical proof he needs before entering battle.

"Behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will save Israel by my hand..."
— Judges 6:37 (LSB)

Timeline Box: Gideon's testing occurred as the Midianite raiders gathered in the valley of Jezreel.

Conquest Era, 1405 BC

Joshua Sets An Ambush For Ai

Having dealt with the sin of Achan, Israel is moving against the city of Ai for the second time. Joshua has employed a brilliant military strategy, sending thirty thousand valiant warriors by night to lie in ambush behind the city. In the morning, he will draw the defenders out by feigning a retreat, allowing the hidden troops to seize the undefended gates.

"So Joshua rose with all the people of war to go up to Ai; and Joshua chose 30,000 men, valiant warriors, and sent them out at night."
— Joshua 8:3 (LSB)

Timeline Box: The conquest of Ai followed the fall of Jericho and the events at Gilgal.

Editorial: Seeking Assurance

It is perfectly human to seek assurance before embarking on a new mission. Gideon needed a wet fleece; Joshua needed a divine military strategy; the disciples needed the familiar shores of Galilee.

God does not despise our need for reassurance. He met Gideon in his doubt, He gave Joshua the plan, and Jesus graciously agreed to meet His disciples in their comfort zone up north. As we step out of our "Jerusalems" and into new seasons of calling, we can trust that the Lord goes ahead of us, preparing the way and providing the proofs we need to walk in faith.

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