The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Numbers 14:11-12,
"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? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.'"
When the twelve spies returned from the promised land and reported what they saw, only two, Joshua and Caleb, encouraged the Israelites to follow the Lord's lead and destroy its inhabitants. The other ten spies discouraged the people by reporting how difficult it would be to defeat the Canaanites. In short, they led the Israelites in disbelieving God. No trust that God could do what he promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They failed to trust the Lord who demonstrated his awesome power and promised them success.
The Lord's response is provided in the above verses. The whole of it brings to mind the very same set of circumstances in another setting.
Jesus Christ came to earth to provide for the redemption of mankind. While here he provided many convincing proofs of who he was and the veracity of his gospel message. He fulfilled prophecy and he confounded the very best of Israel's leaders. Since the day of Jesus' resurrection, the very same condemnation from the Lord can be, and is, leveled upon all mankind who fail to embrace him in faith, "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?"
Further, the judgment the Lord announced against unbelieving Israel in Numbers 14 is very similar to the fate that awaits those today who fail to embrace Jesus Christ in faith. They will suffer and die and not enter into the promise. Here is how Jesus put it, "He [Jesus himself] testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:32-36.
"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? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.'"
When the twelve spies returned from the promised land and reported what they saw, only two, Joshua and Caleb, encouraged the Israelites to follow the Lord's lead and destroy its inhabitants. The other ten spies discouraged the people by reporting how difficult it would be to defeat the Canaanites. In short, they led the Israelites in disbelieving God. No trust that God could do what he promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They failed to trust the Lord who demonstrated his awesome power and promised them success.
The Lord's response is provided in the above verses. The whole of it brings to mind the very same set of circumstances in another setting.
Jesus Christ came to earth to provide for the redemption of mankind. While here he provided many convincing proofs of who he was and the veracity of his gospel message. He fulfilled prophecy and he confounded the very best of Israel's leaders. Since the day of Jesus' resurrection, the very same condemnation from the Lord can be, and is, leveled upon all mankind who fail to embrace him in faith, "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?"
Further, the judgment the Lord announced against unbelieving Israel in Numbers 14 is very similar to the fate that awaits those today who fail to embrace Jesus Christ in faith. They will suffer and die and not enter into the promise. Here is how Jesus put it, "He [Jesus himself] testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:32-36.
I chose to embrace the Lord in faith and receive his promises while escaping his judgment. How about you?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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