If Only…
Opening Prayer
Thank God that he “is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him” (Phil. 2:13, CEV).
Read Numbers 14:1-12
[1] That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. [2] All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! [3] Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” [4] And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” [5] Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. [6] Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes [7] and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. [8] If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. [9] Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” [10] But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. [11] The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? [12] I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What foolishness did these people show here?Thank God that he “is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him” (Phil. 2:13, CEV).NUMBERS 14:1-12 What foolishness did these people show here?It’s one thing to be honest with God about our feelings. It’s another thing to reject God’s way. The Israelites weren’t just grumbling against Moses and Aaron (1-4); they were rejecting God and his plan. “If only we had died in Egypt …” they said (2). Then another incipient rebellion started as they talked about deposing Moses and returning to the land of their slavery (4).There’s an old blues song that says, “There’s no future in the past” and surely these Israelites should have known that, instead of hatching this dangerous and deadly rebellion. Joshua and Caleb saw the same dangers that the other spies saw, but also saw what the others could not: that God would be faithful to his promise to give them the land. When Joshua and Caleb warned them about rebelling against God, their response was to threaten them (10). This was dangerous territory for Israel. God couldn’t have been more immediate than he was, leading them by the cloud, yet they still rebelled (10). Profound spiritual experiences are no guarantee against disobedience.Is there anything or any promise you are having trouble trusting God for? Share your honest feelings with him now. Lord, “don’t let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true” (Psa. 139:23,24, CEV).It’s one thing to be honest with God about our feelings. It’s another thing to reject God’s way. The Israelites weren’t just grumbling against Moses and Aaron (1-4); they were rejecting God and his plan. “If only we had died in Egypt …” they said (2). Then another incipient rebellion started as they talked about deposing Moses and returning to the land of their slavery (4).There’s an old blues song that says, “There’s no future in the past” and surely these Israelites should have known that, instead of hatching this dangerous and deadly rebellion. Joshua and Caleb saw the same dangers that the other spies saw, but also saw what the others could not: that God would be faithful to his promise to give them the land. When Joshua and Caleb warned them about rebelling against God, their response was to threaten them (10). This was dangerous territory for Israel. God couldn’t have been more immediate than he was, leading them by the cloud, yet they still rebelled (10). Profound spiritual experiences are no guarantee against disobedience.
Apply
Is there anything or any promise you are having trouble trusting God for? Share your honest feelings with him now.
Closing prayer
Lord, “don’t let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true” (Psa. 139:23,24, CEV).
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