It's About Obeying the Voice of the Lord

Numbers 14:39–40 (ESV) When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly. 40 And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the Lord has promised, for we have sinned.”

This is the last segment of the defining moment in Numbers 14 for the generation that would die in the wilderness. Why were they to die in the wilderness? Because they disobeyed the voice of the Lord. They were told to get take the land. Then they asked to spy int out (see Deuteronomy 1). They came back fearful and disobedient to God's voice.

God brings judgment. The men who spread the bad report died of plague. God tells the nation through Moses that all those 20 years old and older will die in the desert. Their response is very revealing. They "mourn greatly." Then they do an about face and decide to go into the land. Surely this is of the Lord, He had just told them to go.

But there will be nothing but disaster for them. Even after Moses warns them:
Numbers 14:44–45 (ESV) But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah.

So, what do we learn? We learn that God wants us to obey His voice. He had told them to go. They disobeyed and spread a negative report. Think of that. They didn't just not follow God themselves, they spread a rejection of God's voice among the people. This was incendiary. 

Now they decide to go... but this is again against the voice of the Lord at this moment. God had just told them they would die for their disobedience in the wilderness. What do they do? They reject His Word again and decide to go to the land! 

It's very clear what is being communicated in this passage. God wants us to obey His voice - no matter what! It's not about taking the hill country - unless of course, God says take it! It's not about staying put, unless of course, God says stay put! God wants us listening and doing, listening and doing. That is it. 

Notice the words of Moses' rebuke:

Numbers 14:41–43 (ESV) But Moses said, “Why now are you transgressing the command of the LORD, when that will not succeed? 42 Do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies. 43 For there the Amalekites and the Canaanites are facing you, and you shall fall by the sword. Because you have turned back from following the LORD, the LORD will not be with you.”

The word for "transgressing" means to go beyond. The Israelites were constantly guilty of this exact thing when it came to God's voice in this passage. They just kept going beyond God's Word. 

Christian, this passage illustrates for us the natural tendency of our heart. We rebel against God. Deep within us we walk and sometimes run from what He says. Without a change of heart through the Holy Spirit we will always be running from Him. 

This is why Christ came. He came to bring you the Holy Spirit. 

John 14:26 (ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Remember what Samuel said to Saul when he took the best of the sheep from the Amalekites?

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV) And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Without God's intervention, we are all just running away from Him. But through Christ, our hearts can be changed and the leading of the Holy Spirit can take shape in our souls. May be repent, receive and listen to Him!