Obey as Families

Today I read Number 2:14-3:30 and Luke 8:1-29. My favorite verses are:

Numbers 2:34 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.

Luke 8:25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

It seems that the theme of obedience has caught my attention again. The children of Israel camped, moved, and went where God told them through Moses. And they did it in family groups. I thought of how sad it is that the traditional family in our society is the exception today rather than the rule. So few families stay together it seems. And even those who are “together” seem to be drawn in many different directions with various activities. I wonder how much difference we would see in our country today if each family lived a life directed by God as a unit. Even the wind and water followed Christ’s directions when he commanded them to be at peace. If only mankind would do the same!