Year 1, Week 17, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 17, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 14.

Today’s reading is a sad moment of profound unbelief: “Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!” (Numbers 14:1-2). Israel would rather go back to Egypt or die, than proceed with the LORD. Such unbelief despises the LORD: “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? (Numbers 14:11). Israel wants new leadership: “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” (Numbers 14:4). Numbers 14 describes Israel’s rebellion toward the LORD and the terrible plight that such rebellion solicits from the hand of God.

What struck me in today’s reading is how the LORD reveals the tragic consequences of unbelief: “In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.” (Psalm 78:32-33). Even though the LORD displayed the power of His faithfulness, Israel did not trust in the LORD: “They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe…they tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies” (Psalm 78:42,56). Caleb’s encouragement and admonition was met with fierce hostility: “If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones.” (Numbers 14:8-10a).

The LORD makes Moses a second offer: “I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.” (Numbers 14:12). The first offer of this nature was after the golden cafe incident: “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” (Exodus 32:9-10). And for the second time, Moses intercedes: “And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.” (Numbers 14:17-19). Moses appeals to the LORD’s reputation as he had previously, but he now also appeals to the very character of the LORD—the character that the LORD revealed to Moses in the context of the first intercession. 

The LORD pardoned Israel as Moses had requested, but there would still be consequences to Israel’s despicable unbelief: “I have pardoned, according to your word. But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.” (Numbers 14:20-23). The rest of Numbers will promptly trace a forty-year wilderness experience.

What unfolds is a judgment upon Israel that would be filled with irony. They wanted to go back to Egypt, so the LORD sent them south in that direction: “Now, since the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valleys, turn tomorrow and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.” (Numbers 14:25). Israel feared they would perish in the wilderness, so the LORD assures them they will: “not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.” (Numbers 14:30). Israel declared that the LORD was placing their little ones in danger (Numbers 14:3), so the LORD will safely deliver their children to the Promised Land: “But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected.” (Numbers 14:31).

Even in their “repentance” they misunderstand the nature of true repentance: “When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly. And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the LORD has promised, for we have sinned.” (Numbers 14:39-40). They were seeking to remedy their mess by fixing the problem in a way that seemed best to them, but true repentance entails genuinely returning to the LORD. True repentance does more than grieve the mess our sin produces; it grieves the offense of our sin before God: “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Thus, in light of false repentance, Moses warns: “Why now are you transgressing the command of the LORD, when that will not succeed? Do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies.” (Numbers 14:41-42). The big people whom they feared, soundly defeated them, for, “neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp” (Numbers 14:44b).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe