Numbers 14:36-45 – Foolishness
God shows His particular displeasure against those who sin and make Israel to sin. God is angered by those who misrepresent Him, cast reproach upon Him, and raise problems in men’s minds against Him. Those that represent serving God as despicable, sad and uncomfortable, hard and impracticable, needless and unprofitable, are essentially bringing an evil report about a good land. But the lives of Caleb and Joshua are spared. God hereby confirms their testimony, and silences those that speak of stoning them. He also gives them an assurance of their continued safety in the wilderness, when thousands will fall on their right hand and on their left. Death never misses his mark, nor takes any by accident that are meant to be left alive.
Moses tells the people all that God has said concerning them. If they had mourned for their sin when they were faithfully rebuked for it (v. 9), who knows what might have happened, but now their tears come too late. They now desire the land which they had despised, and have confidence in the promise which they had distrusted. But it is too late. Moses warns them that they are sinning against the Lord’s command and will not succeed. It is foolish to promise ourselves success when we are disobeying God. It is dangerous going where we cannot expect God will go along with us. God will certainly leave those that leave him. But the people go on anyway. They have distrusted God’s strength, and now they presume upon their own strength without His. And everything happens as Moses said it would. That affair can never end well that begins with sin. The way to obtain peace with our friends, and success against our enemies, is to make God our friend, and keep ourselves in His love.
Question
- What happens to the ten evil spies?
- What do the people decide to do?
Prayer Points
- Pray that you would trust in God’s promises.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.