Numbers 14:13-15:16
Moses’ intercession for the people is most beautiful, as he asks the Lord to pardon them; and how wonderfully he typifies the Lord Jesus here. We, like the children of Israel, deserved punishment for our sins. We were enemies of God and unbelieving in our hearts, just at they were, but the Lord Jesus has perfectly glorified God about the whole question of sin and sins, in order that we might be brought nigh to God, and into His favor. We notice, however, that although the people were not cut off, they did come under God’s government. This, too, has a needful lesson for us, for although we are sure of heaven, as sure as God can make us through Christ’s redemptive work, we cannot escape His gornment. He must correct and chasten us as His children.
The Israelites had said that their children would die in the wilderness, and that was why they murmured and wanted to go back to Egypt, so the Lord said that their children would not die as they expected. Instead of that He said that they would wander in the wilderness until all the men of war had died, and then their children, whom they had said would perish in the wilderness, would be the ones who would enter the promised land. Only Caleb and Joshua were preserved of the older ones to enter the land. Surely the government of God is a solemn thing!
When the people heard this message from the Lord they mourned, but soon the wayward hearts found another plan. They would try to escape this government of God. Instead of returning to Egypt, they said they would now go up and conquer the land of Canaan in their own strength. Moses told them that they could not do this, and that if they attempted it they would only fall before their enemies, in spite of Moses’ warning they insisted on going, and no sooner had they got up to the top of the hill than the Amalekites and the Canaanites came out and fought against them, utterly defeating them. Their self-willed venture only ended in a shameful defeat before their enemies. It is well for us to remember that the Lord Jesus has said, “without Me, ye can do nothing,” John 15:5, for in the face of our enemies we are just as helpless as the children of Israel; but His Word also tells us in Phil. 4: 13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Let us never fear the path of obedience, for He will always give strength if we look to Him, but it is a good thing to be so “in the fear of the Lord all the day long” that we fear to displease Hint God cannot bless us in the path of disobedience to His Word.
After the Lord had told the people that they must wander in the wildeess until all the rebels were consumed, it is beautiful to see His thoughts in grace manifested, in that He immediately speaks of the time when they would get into the land. He delighted to tell of this, and provision was made for their free will offerings, and the drink offerings to acompany them. The drink offering speaks of joy, and so when we have the Lord Jesus before us and give willingly to Him, it gives joy to God’s heart as well as to ours. God our Father is so good that we can never do anything for Him but what He gives us more in return than our feeble offering—yet He delights to reive from us when we give from our hearts.
ML 01/14/1951