Numbers 14
The Rebellion of the Israelite Army and Its Consequences
(Numbers 14:1-10)
Verse 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.”
With Canaan, the land of promise, right before their eyes, the dispute that arose among the Israelite spies and the subsequent reaction of
the Israelite army turned into complete unbelief and rebellion. They came to disbelieve the ‘promise of the land,’ which was one of
the core elements of the covenant God had promised from the beginning. To say they would return to Egypt with the Promised Land right
before their eyes was a declaration to abandon all covenants made with God until now. In God's eyes, this was not just a matter of Israel
having little faith, but an act of treating God with contempt.
The Israelite army grumbled against God and tried to pick up stones to stone Joshua and Caleb.
1. God's wrath against Israel (11-12)
1) God made a formal covenant with the people of Israel before Mount Sinai.
2) God Himself finished preparations and gave the command to march.
3) Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes and shouted before the people.
4) God stated that He would cut off all relationship with Israel.
2. Moses’ intercessory prayer (13-19)
1) Moses is pleading with God to forgive the Israelites.
2) Verses 17-19 clearly express Moses' earnest heart.
3) We too must pray, believing that Christ is our eternal Mediator.
4) The success or failure of intercessory prayer does not depend on the ability of the one praying.
3. God’s answer to Moses’ prayer (20-25)
1) God said that He would forgive the sin of the Israelites.
2) He highly praised Joshua and Caleb.
3) He ordered the entire Israelite army to turn back into the wilderness toward the Red Sea.
4) This was because continuous training was needed for a life worthy of God's people.
Conclusion: The consequences brought about by a believer's unbelief
1) Those who disobey the Word can never enter the blessed land.
2) Israel made a covenant with God like a marriage contract.
3) The people of Israel began grumbling and complaining from the very beginning of their first march.
4) Grumbling, complaining, and unbelief spread even to Miriam and Aaron.
Hearing the seriousness of the situation, the people mourned bitterly again. Some of them burned with human passion to make up
for God's grace lost due to their unbelief. They said they would fight a war God did not approve of, and with their own special courage,
went up to the high hill country where the Amalekites and Canaanites were. Of course, the result was obvious. Since God was not with them,
they only experienced defeat and destruction (Hormah). At this time, what the people of Israel should have done was not to go to war,
but to repent and turn back. Do not get swept away by your own zeal, but hold onto 3 todays within the Lord, always walk with the Lord,
and I pray that you will be victorious.