When You Finally Reach a turning Point. (Numbers 14: 1-45)
FULL TRANSCRIPT
It's not uncommon for people to reflect on their lives and identify major turning points, such as relationships that didn't work out, decisions about education or career paths, or even choices like buying a house.
These pivotal moments often shape the whole trajectory of our lives, influencing the direction we take for years to come.
Spiritually speaking, we also encounter moments of decision that set the course for our lives. These choices can lead us down paths of growth and blessings or veer us towards challenges and setbacks.
In the book of Numbers, we encounter such a pivotal moment for an entire generation, a decision that would determine their spiritual direction for years to come.
Let's explore this lesson together in Numbers chapter 14. in today’s episode of TBPDP.
Before we begin today by looking at the chapter 14, it's essential to briefly revisit chapter 13 for a moment.
The Israelites had recently left Egypt, spent a year in Sinai, and then arrived at Kadesh Barnea, situated in the southern region of the promised land.
At this point, they sent twelve spies to scout the land, covering it from south to north over a period of forty days. Upon their return, the majority of the spies reported daunting obstacles, emphasizing even the presence of giants in the land.
However, two guys, Joshua and Caleb offered a contrasting view, expressing confidence in their ability to conquer the land.
As we transition to chapter 14, the memory of the spies' reports looms large in everyone's minds.
So this chapter opens with the people's reaction to the reports they've just received from the twelve spies.
So, verse one says.
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 face down 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.”
(Number 14: 1-9)
Let's take a moment to pause here and reflect on the first part of this passage, which captures the immediate reaction of the people upon hearing the report from the twelve spies.
In verse one, we see that upon receiving the report, they respond by voicing their complaints against Moses and Aaron. They question why they were brought to this land and even express doubts about the Lord's intentions.
In verse three, their complaints escalate as they directly challenge the Lord, questioning His purpose in leading them to a land where they could face danger and loss. Their conclusion is to consider returning to Egypt, suggesting they choose a new leader to lead them back.
Now, let's pause for a moment to consider the stupidity of where their unbelief is leading them. Despite witnessing the incredible power of God demonstrated through the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of manna in the wilderness, they still lacked faith in God's ability to overcome the challenges they faced.
Their desire to return to Egypt, a land devasted by God's judgments and out of which they were miraculously saved, highlights the irrationality of their decision. Yet, in their fear and doubt, the panic and fail to trust in God's power to conquer the giants in the land.
In verse five, we see Moses and Aaron responding by falling on their faces before the assembly, imploring them to trust in God and enter the land.
Then, in verse six, Joshua and Caleb step forward to address the entire community. They emphasize the goodness of the land and encourage the people not to rebel against the Lord or fear the inhabitants of the land. Instead, they remind the people that if the Lord is with them, there is nothing to fear.
It's important to note that Joshua and Caleb characterize the people's actions not just as unbelief, but as rebellion against the Lord. This distinction underscores the seriousness of their lack of faith and refusal to trust in God's promises.
As Warren Wiersbe aptly puts it.
"The will of God will never lead us where the grace of God can't provide for us, or the power of God protect us."
(W Wiersbe https://bibleportal.com/bible-quote[i])
If we truly seek to align ourselves with God's will and walk in obedience, there is no room for complaint or grumbling. A complaining spirit reveals an ungrateful heart and a will that is not fully surrendered to God.
Ultimately, by grumbling, we arrogantly presume to know better than God what is best for us.
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.”
(Number 14: 10-12)
The people's response doesn't sit well with the Lord, as we've seen in previous chapters of Numbers. In fact, the situation escalates to the point where they are about to stone Joshua and Caleb, and possibly Moses and Aaron as well. However, just as the tension reaches its peak, the glory of the Lord appears in the Tabernacle of meeting before the children of Israel.
This divine intervention prevents the people from carrying out their violent intentions. Then, we see the Lord addresses Moses directly, expressing his frustration with the people's persistent rejection and lack of belief despite the signs and wonders He has performed among them.
This emphasis on disbelief is crucial—it underscores the core issue at hand.
Despite the numerous miracles and manifestations of God's power, the people still refuse to trust in Him. This failure to believe is what angers the Lord the most. He even goes as far as to propose striking them with pestilence and disinheriting them, offering to make Moses the leader of a new, even greater nation.
By the way, this isn't the first time such an offer has been made; we've seen it before in Exodus 32 after the incident with the golden calf.
However, this proposal presents a challenge. While wiping out the current generation of Israelites and starting over with Moses might fulfil some promises made to Abraham, it would create complications regarding the promises made to Jacob—specifically, the prophecy that a ruler would come from the tribe of Judah.
To reconcile this dilemma, it's possible that God intended to punish only the older generation while sparing those who were twenty years old and younger and had simply been following where their elders were trying to take them.
This would maintain the lineage necessary to fulfil the promises made to Jacob while still holding this rebellious generation accountable for their actions.
So, what we've seen thus far is the initial reaction of the people, followed by the Lord's response to that reaction.
Now, Moses steps forward to make a request, which we'll explore in the next part of this passage.
13 Moses said to the Lord, “Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. 14 And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, Lord, are with these people and that you, Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. 15 If you put all these people to death, leaving none alive, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, 16 ‘The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’ 17 “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ 19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” 20 The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.
(Numbers 14: 13-23)
The Lord initially commands Moses to step aside while He wipes out the rebellious Israelites. However, Moses intercedes passionately, arguing that such an action would tarnish God's reputation among the Egyptians and the inhabitants of Canaan.
He reminds the Lord of His character, emphasizing His mercy and greatness.
Moses' plea is not driven by selfish ambition but by genuine concern for his people and the honour of God's name. Instead of seizing the opportunity to become the leader of a new nation, Moses humbly asks for forgiveness on behalf of the Israelites. Thus demonstrating his deep humility and devotion to God's glory.
In response to Moses' plea, the Lord pardons the people according to Moses' word. However, there are consequences to all of this.
Despite forgiving them, the Lord declares that the rebellious generation will not enter the promised land. This decision is based on their repeated failure to believe and obey despite witnessing God's glory and miraculous acts.
Remarkably, the Lord's decision to spare the people reflects His commitment to His own glory. He asserts that all the earth will eventually be filled with His glory, even though the rebellious generation will not see the land promised to their fathers.
This denial of ever entering the land is the consequence of their persistent disobedience and rejection of God.
The passage concludes with the Lord's declaration: He will not wipe out the people as Moses initially feared, but they will not inherit the promised land.
A decision is rooted in the repeated testing of God's patience and the refusal to trust and obey Him. Despite His overall mercy, we see there are consequences for persistent unbelief and rebellion.
This exchange between Moses and the Lord serves still for us today as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. It illustrates the tension between God's mercy and justice, as well as the importance of the choice we make in life and their consequences.
24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. 25 Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea.” 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.”36 So the men Moses had sent to explore the land, who returned and made the whole community grumble against him by spreading a bad report about it— 37 these men who were responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord. 38 Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived.
(Numbers 14: 24-38)
This passage is rather extensive, in what is a long chapter, but it looks into the Lord's response in detail.
Essentially, what's happening is this: The Lord decrees that the Israelites who refused to enter the promised land will perish in the wilderness. However, there are exceptions. Caleb, for instance, who demonstrated unwavering faith, will inherit the land along with his descendants.
Then, in verse 25, the Lord instructs the Israelites to turn away from the Amalekites and Canaanites dwelling in the valleys and head towards the wilderness by way of the Red Sea. The reason for this command is that due to the adults' lack of trust in the Lord, He will not give them victory over their enemies.
Then the Lord addresses the rebelliousness of the whole nation, declaring that they will perish in the wilderness. However, he specifies in verse 29 that only those aged 20 and above will face this fate, sparing the younger generation who did not participate in the decision-making process.
What's intriguing is how God responds to the Israelites' fear of their children perishing in Canaan by assuring that He will preserve the younger generation in the wilderness and grant them an inheritance in the promised land.
Then again, Joshua and Caleb are singled out for their unwavering faith and are promised entry into the land.
Further details are provided in verses 32-34, where the Lord explains that the Israelites will wander in the wilderness for a further 38 years, totalling then 40 years spent in the wilderness.
In verse 35, the Lord reaffirms His decree that the Israelites will not enter the promised land due to their rejection of His offer, choosing instead to suffer the consequences of their rebellion.
Despite this judgment, it's noteworthy that the Lord did in fact forgave them overall, demonstrating His mercy even amidst their disobedience. This additional nuanced perspective makes this passage particularly rich in meaning
Finally, in verses 36-38, the Lord addresses the fate of the 10 spies who gave the negative report. They are to face immediate punishment, dying in a plague. Unlike the rest of the adults who will wander aimlessly for 40 years in the wilderness, these spies won't even have that time. Their judgment is swift and decisive.
39 When Moses reported this to all the Israelites, they mourned bitterly. 40 Early the next morning they set out for the highest point in the hill country, saying, “Now we are ready to go up to the land the Lord promised. Surely, we have sinned!” 41 But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? This will not succeed! 42 Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies, 43 for the Amalekites and the Canaanites will face you there. Because you have turned away from the Lord, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword.” 44 Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up toward the highest point in the hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord’s covenant moved from the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.
(Numbers 14: 39-45)
What an interesting turn of events!
Moses returns to report the Lord's message, and the people react by hastily deciding to enter the land the next morning. It's akin to a child breaking an ornament while their parents are out and hastily trying to glue it back together before they get back.
This moment marks one of the saddest passages in the Old Testament. Despite repeated opportunities to believe, they lacked mature faith. Their chance for success had passed. The Lord would not be with them in battle; the promise of victory would not accompany them; Moses would not lead them.
They ignored the warning and defeat followed and they were driven back eight miles further back into the wilderness.
The message of this whole sorry tale is a sad but straightforward one:
Due to their unbelief, all but Joshua, Caleb, and those under 20 years old faced 40 years of wandering and eventual death. It's a stark reminder: unbelief has consequences, and a whole generation, the ones who originally left Egypt is left to die out.
But remember, despite their rebellion, they were forgiven. This underscores their status as believers. However, their lack of belief is central to how this all played out.
Interestingly, this event is referenced in the Book of Hebrews.
Before reading Hebrews chapter 3, let me explain what’s going on here.
In the book of Hebrews there are Jewish Christians who are contemplating abandoning Christianity and going back to Judaism and the whole point of the book of Hebrews is to tell the you've got something better already, why go back to Judaism.
That's the position now when you look at chapter 3. Tthis is the writer to the Hebrews arguing his case and in verse 7 he says.
7 So as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’
(Hebrews 3: 7-11)
By the way, this is a quote from Psalm 95 but it's referring to the events in Numbers 14
The writer to the Hebrews talking to Christians who were thinking about abandoning Christ.
It's astounding how the New Testament references Numbers 14 to warn believers against hardening their hearts.
In Hebrews 3:15, it admonishes believers not to repeat the rebellion of the Israelites seen in Numbers chapter 14.
These were believers, he says, who, despite their faith, refused to trust the Lord. They became what we might call "unbelieving believers," their hearts hardened.
As a consequence, they wasted their lives wandering aimlessly in the wilderness for 40 years.
This pattern isn't confined to ancient times; it repeats throughout history, even today.
People who once walked with the Lord, served Him, then something happens, a crisis maybe or even just a wrong decision, and they drift away. They become spiritually adrift, wandering in a wilderness of their own making, achieving nothing in life.
We all know someone who, once fervent in their faith, but now lives a life devoid of spiritual purpose. They constantly complain and cry over their past decisions, but they feel trapped in the consequences of their actions.
There are those who, though saved, will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, lamenting the wasted opportunities and the consequences of their decisions.
The Lord forgave the Israelites, but they faced the repercussions of their unbelief.
How many today ignore God's warnings, choosing their own path, only to suffer the consequences?
Think of those who, against God's counsel, enter into destructive lifestyles or unequally yoked marriages. They know God's will, but refuse to obey, and without repentance they continue to pay the price.
In the 1973 film Papillon the character played by Steve McQueen spends pretty much his whole life in prison, when he appears before the judge in that film facing a life sentence the judge says to him you have committed the worst crime of humanity you've wasted your life.
This is what really what numbers chapter 14 is all about.
These are believers who refused to believe God and as a result I wandered aimlessly going nowhere for the rest of their life maybe we should call that the worst mistake a person can make.
I hope and pray we can all take the lesson of Number chapter 14, to heart.
[i] https://bibleportal.com/bible-quote/W.Wiersebegods-people-live-on-promises-and-not-on-explanations-when-you-trust-gods-promises-and-step-out-by-faith.