Christ in all the scriptures Numbers 14

 Christ in all the scriptures

Numbers 14 part 1

"Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world (ages) are come"-1st Corinthians 10v11.

This text could be written across Numbers 14 along with other O/T scriptures.  This chapter is solemn in its outcome, for what it reveals about human nature and the Divine character.  Nothing is hidden, or embellished.  The details are at times excruciating, but it is a warning to us today.  This is  how God acts with the rebellious spirit amongst His people.  The chapter presents the enduring principles of God's justice, His mercy, His faithfulness in His dealings with His people.  We should take note for we are at the end of things, as they were at the beginning of things, and we are therefore more responsible, for we are more informed.  To sin against light is a serious matter.  God will judge all sin, but first He must judge it when it arises amongst His people, "Judgment must begin at the house of God"-1st Peter 4v17.  At stake was the glory of the Lord (Numbers 14v10 and 14v21) which is the last consideration when sin grips the minds and hearts.

This difficult chapter can be divided as follows for our learning:

The Dissension of the people v1-10

The Displeasure of the Lord  v11-12

The Dialogue of Moses  v13-19

The Discipline of the Lord  v20-39

The Delusion of remorse  v40-45

The dissension of the people  Numbers 14v1-10

This was no minority uprising; this was wholesale rebellion, similar to the golden calf  atrocity in Exodus 32.  The toxic poison of the rebel spies had infected the entire camp.  This is a warning today against unhealthy talk taking hold in the congregations of God's people: "All the congregation lifted up their voice..."-v1; "All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron..."-v2 (the word murmured is more than an undercurrent, it suggests a public dissent); "The whole congregation said unto them, would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness"-v2 (their rejection of Moses and Aaron was a rejection of God); Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation..."v5; Joshua and Caleb "Spake unto all the company of the children of Israel..."-v7; "But all the congregation bade stone them with stones..."-v10.  The Lord intervened in no uncertain terms, "The glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel"-v10.  God's servants had acted and spoken, and now the Lord will finish the matter.  They rejected God's appointed servants calling for new leaders to take them back to Egypt, and threatening to stone Joshua and Caleb who spoke the truth. 

The displeasure of the Lord  Numbers 14v11-12 and 14v22

At this the Lord appeared in the cloud above the tabernacle.  Decisive action was about to be taken, for God only moves thus in judgment.  "And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel"-v10.  Not now resting upon the mercy seat in the sanctuary (symbolic of His presence among them in blessing), but confronting the whole congregation in judgment.  "And the Lord said unto Moses, how long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me for all the signs which I have shown among them"?  He expands on this in v22, "All these men which have seen my glory and my miracles which I have done in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me (put me to the test) these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice".  We must take from this that the Lord is weary with our mistrust and unbelief.  He understands our weakness but will not tolerate our wilfulness.  Ten times is not an arbitrary number, for God does not estimate, He is meticulous in His words.

1) Questioning God at the Red Sea  Ex.14v11-12

2) Complaining of bitter water at Marah  Ex.15v24

3) Murmuring at the desert of Sin  Ex. 16v1-3

4) Transgressing in collecting the manna Ex. 16v20

5) Collecting manna on the sabbath Ex. 16v27-29

6) Complaint about lack of water at Rephidim Ex. 17v2-3

7) Engaging in rank idolatry Ex. 32v7-10

8) Complaining at Taberah Numbers 11v1-3

9) Despising the manna for the food of Egypt Numbers 11v4-9

10) Failing to enter the promised land Numbers 14v1-4

The Lord is longsuffering, slow to anger, as it says throughout holy scripture.  Psalm 86v15 "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth".  There are many scriptures referring to this, such as: Exodus 34v6; Numbers 14v18;Nehemiah 9v17; Isaiah 30v18; Ezekiel 20v17; Joel 2v13; James 5v11.  The longsuffering of God is His patience and mercy toward humanity, and is a characteristic we are encouraged to imitate for ourselves.  Where would any of us be were it not for the amazing patience of God?  He is longsuffering to the world in general (Romans 2v4; 3v25; 2nd Peter 3v9.  He is longsuffering to the believer, as is evident throughout scripture.   He waited 120 years in the days before the flood.  He has waited almost 2000 years in the present age of grace.  However there is one characteristic of God which is finite-His longsuffering.  He will not tolerate sin forever, He will obliterate it from existence and those who remain rebellious will suffer eternally.  At the heart of all rebellion is unbelief, self reliance, trust in men, and mistrust in God.  Israel, the most privileged nation on earth were in large part guilty of it, and still are today.  We thank God for those in Israel, like Moses and Aaron, and Joshua and Caleb, and many others including the apostles of Christ who brought the truth of God to us and to the world.  It falls to us to continue that work and we hope that these short blogs will do just that.  God be praised for the remnant who stand faithful today in an ever changing and deluded world.  God will judge the world and judgment begins at the house of God.