Much can be learned from today’s reading, but you will need to concentrate if you want to get the teaching it contains. The way God deals with Israel is very similar to how He deals with us believers in our day of grace. They were a redeemed people by the blood of the lamb in Egypt. So they are to be looked at as a picture (type) of us believers who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. God was very kind to them, He is so kind to us. On their part, they were very disobedient and unfaithful, we must admit that we are likewise, very often.
V.1-4 God does everything. He delivers Israel out of Egypt, across the Red Sea, through the wilderness.
V.5-6 Now comes their responsibility, with warnings. Notice the warnings are for us. Israel took advantage of God’s kindness, and, as a result many perished in the wilderness (Num. 14:29-30, 3529Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, 30Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (Numbers 14:29‑30)
35I the Lord have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. (Numbers 14:35)).
V.7-10 The word “neither” appears 4 times. That means that we are being warned, not they.
V.11 This is the key to open our understanding of all these ten verses. They are like true believers today who are not living in the truth they know. They are not growing spiritually, and therefore seem as if dead.
V.12-13 Also some only pretend they are believers. Many others, think they are Christians, but are not. Those who are truly the Lord’s shall be preserved, though they will not have peace and joy in their life so long as they have things on their conscience.