Don't Stop Believing
For all the attention Numbers 13-14 get, we miss a huge blessing if we do not read on to Numbers 15.
Yes Numbers 13-14 were a defining moment for Israel. It was a stain on their history. It separated the winners from the doubters. The incident of Kadesh Barnea has been preached about to many a congregation who has been tempted to stop believing God for more, better and higher levels of effectiveness. It has encouraged many Christians to stay strong in faith and not doubt even when facing the giants in their lives.
But let's be honest. We have all had our own personal or community failures like that of the Numbers 13-14 events. Sad to say we have not always believed God as we should. Some of us live with regrets based on past mistakes.
But let us not lose sight of this one thing: God will do what He said He would do. As quickly as judgment comes upon the rebellious generation, God has a renewed word for the generation to come:
Numbers 15:1–5 (ESV) The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you, 3 and you offer to the Lord from the herd or from the flock a food offering or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, to make a pleasing aroma to the Lord, 4 then he who brings his offering shall offer to the Lord a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil; 5 and you shall offer with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, a quarter of a hin of wine for the drink offering for each lamb.
Notice God's statement RIGHT AFTER the failure of a generation to trust Him. "When you come into the land YOU ARE GOING TO INHABIT, WHICH I AM GIVING YOU."
Two things pop out at me. God is not interested in living in the past or the replaying of regretful moments. He MOVES ON. He starts preparing the next generation for what a previous generation could not believe Him for. Friends, God always gets His work accomplished. And if parts of us have to be chiseled out or even if some of the church communities have to be removed, God is going to accomplish His purpose in our lives. For God, mourning over what could have been has no bearing on what is going to be. Let go, move on, embrace today!
Secondly, the offerings are all prescribed for thanksgiving moments. Israel is going to take the fruit of the land and present offerings to God. Why? Because being in the land is proof that He is faithful to His promises and they are who they are and where they are because of Who the Lord is.
Now in the New Testament we make a terrible mistake of thinking God is through with us when we doubt in one instance of our lives like what happened here with Israel. The truth is we are often no better than they. Our true and better Israel has passed the test in the wilderness and blazed a trail into the promise of heaven for us. We are riding His coattails to glory. This does not mean we do not try or we get lazy and just make assumptions that we are right with God. NO! It demands we trust HIS WORK for us and live according to it! The land has been purchased for us. Let us give thanks!
Hebrews 13:14–15 (ESV) For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Let those fleeting moments of doubt remind you that it is indeed finished at the cross. Jesus has won our inheritance. Believe, press on, do not lose sight of what is yours in Christ.
Amen.
Yes Numbers 13-14 were a defining moment for Israel. It was a stain on their history. It separated the winners from the doubters. The incident of Kadesh Barnea has been preached about to many a congregation who has been tempted to stop believing God for more, better and higher levels of effectiveness. It has encouraged many Christians to stay strong in faith and not doubt even when facing the giants in their lives.
But let's be honest. We have all had our own personal or community failures like that of the Numbers 13-14 events. Sad to say we have not always believed God as we should. Some of us live with regrets based on past mistakes.
But let us not lose sight of this one thing: God will do what He said He would do. As quickly as judgment comes upon the rebellious generation, God has a renewed word for the generation to come:
Numbers 15:1–5 (ESV) The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you, 3 and you offer to the Lord from the herd or from the flock a food offering or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, to make a pleasing aroma to the Lord, 4 then he who brings his offering shall offer to the Lord a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil; 5 and you shall offer with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, a quarter of a hin of wine for the drink offering for each lamb.
Notice God's statement RIGHT AFTER the failure of a generation to trust Him. "When you come into the land YOU ARE GOING TO INHABIT, WHICH I AM GIVING YOU."
Two things pop out at me. God is not interested in living in the past or the replaying of regretful moments. He MOVES ON. He starts preparing the next generation for what a previous generation could not believe Him for. Friends, God always gets His work accomplished. And if parts of us have to be chiseled out or even if some of the church communities have to be removed, God is going to accomplish His purpose in our lives. For God, mourning over what could have been has no bearing on what is going to be. Let go, move on, embrace today!
Secondly, the offerings are all prescribed for thanksgiving moments. Israel is going to take the fruit of the land and present offerings to God. Why? Because being in the land is proof that He is faithful to His promises and they are who they are and where they are because of Who the Lord is.
Now in the New Testament we make a terrible mistake of thinking God is through with us when we doubt in one instance of our lives like what happened here with Israel. The truth is we are often no better than they. Our true and better Israel has passed the test in the wilderness and blazed a trail into the promise of heaven for us. We are riding His coattails to glory. This does not mean we do not try or we get lazy and just make assumptions that we are right with God. NO! It demands we trust HIS WORK for us and live according to it! The land has been purchased for us. Let us give thanks!
Hebrews 13:14–15 (ESV) For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Let those fleeting moments of doubt remind you that it is indeed finished at the cross. Jesus has won our inheritance. Believe, press on, do not lose sight of what is yours in Christ.
Amen.
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