Slow Learners
Opening Prayer
Are there lessons which God has had to teach you over and over again? Pray he will make you a better learner!
Read Numbers 14:26-35
[26] The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: [27] “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. [28] So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: [29] In this wilderness your bodies will fall-every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. [30] Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. [31] As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. [32] But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness. [33] Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. [34] For forty years-one year for each of the forty days you explored the land-you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’ [35] I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this wilderness; here they will die.” 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 was the terrible punishment for their rebellion?It could all have been so easy. If they had obeyed God, the Israelites would have been out of the desert and into Canaan in a matter of weeks. But it wasn’t to be. Instead, it would happen just as they had feared (2,3). Their disobedience had a huge impact, not only on them but also on their descendants. None of the grumblers would enter Canaan (29,30)—they would die in the desert and their children would have to wait for forty years to enter the land. It was as if their own words had come back to haunt them (2). It was almost a “self fulfilling prophecy.” Our sin often has severe consequences, not only for us, but for our entire family—and not only for the present, but sometimes for years, even generations to come. That was the terrible result of this sinful rebellion. It’s a warning for us; consider carefully the potential consequence of disobedience. God doesn’t treat it lightly. We would be wise not to do so either.
Apply
Are there any areas where you are having a hard time obeying God? If so, confess them now and ask God’s help.
Closing prayer
Lord, I know how important it is to obey You, and I want to do it, even when it’s hard. Please help me.
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