Read Numbers 14:1-25
How brave are you when venturing into the unknown? I think of Abraham and Sarah leaving all that was familiar to follow God’s leading. Even closer to home, I remember packing up our Prius with the necessities of life and our four dogs and crossing the border into Mexico.
It’s natural to be wary of new things. But I think Moses’ crowd of followers went a little overboard in their dramatic rebellion! I felt sorry for Moses and Aaron who “fell face down on the ground,” no doubt questioning everything about their leadership, feeling like they had let the people down.
Two of the explorers, Caleb and Joshua, joined the leaders in their lament. What a sight that must have been! I liked the wisdom of their encouragement in verse 8. “And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey.” That is a very big “if” at this moment, seeing how poorly the people were responding to God’s power and provision.
Then God made his presence known in glorious fashion at the Tabernacle. How did God respond? He was not at all pleased with his people. God’s extreme disappointment could not be disguised; a plague to kill off the complainers was even suggested.
Have you ever been this angry at God or frustrated by your circumstances? Bargaining with God or even threatening to act in rebellious ways is not a good look for us. Sometimes we just need to blame somebody for our mess because we certainly don’t want to take credit ourselves. For the people of Israel, it seems it was easier to blame God rather than give him thanks and praise for all that he had done. Can you relate?
Moses soon came to his senses began to plead the Israelites’ case before God. He took his leadership role very seriously, and wanted to protect the people. Such wisdom in his words! Moses didn’t want God’s reputation to be smeared in any way. Instead, Moses wanted God’s power and might to be recognized by the world. Moses didn’t want God to do something in his fury that would look “silly” to the outsiders.
Wasn’t Moses’ boldness commendable? I’m not sure I would have been brave enough to question God’s motives. Moses used God’s own promise when he said, “The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion.” Because of that promise, Moses cried out on behalf of his brothers and sisters saying, “In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”
Don’t we all need someone like Moses pleading our case before God? Our own sinfulness runs rampant. Thankfully, we have Jesus in that role as our advocate. In John 14:16, Jesus promises us, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” John’s Gospel uses that picture of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, to remind us that we have a protector and guide.
Thanks to Moses, for the people of Israel, God relented on the plague. However, the LORD made it clear there would be consequences. The complainers who failed to trust or respect God’s faithfulness would never see this Promised Land they feared so much. Those people would miss out on all the blessings because of their disobedience. That was an “a-ha” moment for me. If we’ve ever wondered why the people roamed around in the wilderness for forty years, now we know.
We don’t have to suffer the same fate. We don’t have to miss out on a glorious eternity with God because Jesus has paid the price for us. As believers, we will never be put out of God’s presence. We have access to God now and forever. Jesus told us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus is our way—our only way.
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for your unfailing love and faithfulness. I pray I never take such a gift for granted or question your methods and ways. Forgive me for the times I fall short of your intentions for my life. Forgive me for my selfishness and short-sightedness. Help me to see you in all things and learn from my mistakes. You are king of the universe, and I give you praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
