This weeks passage: Numbers 14:5-19

¹¹ And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?¹² I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.

Numbers 14:11-12

Explanation

God asked Moses two questions:

1. How long will they provoke me?
2. How long will they not trust me after all I have done for them?

What had he done for them?

• He had freed them from Egypt!
• He had delivered them from slavery!
• He had delivered them by taking them through the Red Sea!
• He had provided for them physically!
• He had promised to give them a new land and a new future!

God promised to judge these rebellious people. Why? Because despite all He had done for them, they were so enraged at Moses, Aaron, Caleb and Joshua that they were picking up stones to stone them.

Application

People will be held accountable for their actions. It may not seem like it, but they will. We must be careful on both sides of this issue.

• We may see ourselves as Joshua and Caleb int he story, willing to speak the truth courageously, and if we are like them we must realize that others may not like us because of it.
• We may actually be the rebellious jews in the story, forgetting what God has don and defying the people God has given to lead me.

Response

1. Take some time to pray and thank God for what He has done for you.
2. Take some time to think about how leaders in your life are trying to lead you. Are you cooperating with them or fighting against them?