The Consequences of Sin and Rebellion

DAY 50
11-8-09
NUMBERS 14-15


Good Morning!

I love these two chapters…especially fourteen. Israel has had enough. They believe the scouts that said they can’t take the land. They would rather die or go back to slavery than trust God and fight for the Promised Land.

Well, God has had enough too. He is ready to wipe them out and start over with Moses and his family to build a nation. Moses, however, begs God to change his mind for the sake of his Name.

God will still hold Israel accountable for their rebellion. It’s not just about the whining. They are treating God with contempt. (14:11). God relents and forgives them but the consequences will stand. No one who treats God with contempt will see the Promised Land.

Believe it or not there is an important blessing in this. God said, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth…not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.” (14:20-23)

God forgives sin and rebellion. We may still have tough consequences to live through, be he still forgives. Don’t take it to mean that they are not going to heaven. They are forgiven. But they still will have to pay the consequences in this life; and God will get them through it.

Barry

'The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion." (Num 14:18)