Responses (Numbers 14:1-38)
This is the second major rebellion of Israel since the Exodus. (Amongst all the lesser rebellions and grumblings, of which there are more to come!) As with the incident of the Golden Calf, it is a direct rejection of YHWH and His plans. Here, however, the people respond to the spies report by actually planning to elect a new leader and head back to the slavery they were under in Egypt.
Caleb and Joshua plead with the people not to reject God’s plans. When the plan is made to return to Egypt, Moses and Aaron brace themselves for God’s expected judgment. YHWH does show up and express His displeasure by telling Moses He will wipe the whole nation out and start over with Moses as a new Abraham figure.
Moses prays for God’s forgiveness based on three things: 1. God’s reputation. If God were to start over, it would be seen as evidence that He could not deliver on the promises He made to his people. 2. Those same promises. God is a faithful God who does not make empty promises. And 3. God’s character. God is not only faithful but loving and forgiving. (See both Exodus 20:5-6, and 34:6-7)
YHWH relents and forgives even this most blatant rejection. However, consequences will not be avoided, and the people will be punished according to their own words and expectations. They had said it would be better for them to have died in Egypt, or in the wilderness itself. Now they would die in the wilderness. All of the current generation over 20—all those who complained and rejected God would live out their lives and die in the wilderness never seeing the capture of their promised homeland. Caleb and Joshua, however, would live to enter the land along with the next generation.
Caleb and Joshua plead with the people not to reject God’s plans. When the plan is made to return to Egypt, Moses and Aaron brace themselves for God’s expected judgment. YHWH does show up and express His displeasure by telling Moses He will wipe the whole nation out and start over with Moses as a new Abraham figure.
Moses prays for God’s forgiveness based on three things: 1. God’s reputation. If God were to start over, it would be seen as evidence that He could not deliver on the promises He made to his people. 2. Those same promises. God is a faithful God who does not make empty promises. And 3. God’s character. God is not only faithful but loving and forgiving. (See both Exodus 20:5-6, and 34:6-7)
YHWH relents and forgives even this most blatant rejection. However, consequences will not be avoided, and the people will be punished according to their own words and expectations. They had said it would be better for them to have died in Egypt, or in the wilderness itself. Now they would die in the wilderness. All of the current generation over 20—all those who complained and rejected God would live out their lives and die in the wilderness never seeing the capture of their promised homeland. Caleb and Joshua, however, would live to enter the land along with the next generation.
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