Readings for the day: Numbers 14, 15, 16 and Psalm 95
Today’s passage reveals two things in stark terms. If God were not faithful. If His steadfast love did not endure forever. If His grace was not extended to generation after generation. We would be dead. We would be destroyed. Our sin is simply too much. Our penchant for rebellion to hard to resist. Our pride too much to overcome.
The people of God quake in fear at the report of the spies. They mutiny against Moses and the Lord. They make plans to head back to Egypt. Back to slavery. Back to what was familiar. It reminds me of one of my favorite Proverbs, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (26:11) But for the intervention of the Lord, they would have stoned Moses to death! Incredible! So God tells Moses to step aside so He can destroy them and start all over yet again. Once again, Moses is being tested. Once again, Moses is being challenged to stand in the gap for God’s people. Once again, Moses intercedes. He calls on God to remember His own name. To be true to His character. To forgive as He has promised which is what God does.
At the same time, God has a mission. Come hell or high water, God will make His glory known on the earth! God will fill the earth with His glory no matter what! No obstacle will stand in His way. No power will prevent Him from accomplishing this great task! Not sin. Not evil. Not death. “But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord,” (Num. 14:21) It’s an incredible statement! One that drives God even to this day! One you and I exist to fulfill! God’s plan is for God’s people who are made in God’s image to multiply and fill the earth! This is the “Great Commission” given to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the people of Israel. Jesus renews this Great Commission at the end of Matthew’s Gospel when He sends His disciples out into all the world to make other disciples!
This is God’s great mission and the greatest obstacle standing in its way is...us! You and me! God’s people! Korah rebels. Dathan and Abiram rebel. The people of God blame Moses and Aaron for their deaths. So once again, God has to step in. He must discipline His people. He must teach them to obey. So He sends plagues. He opens the earth. He reminds them of the law. He allows them to be defeated in battle. He makes them wander in the wilderness until an entire generation passes away. God is faithful. God is steadfast. God is holy. God will not be mocked. God will not allow His people to derail His mission.
So think about your own life? Where are you living in willful disobedience? Where are you living in stubborn rebellion? What sins are you clinging to, refusing to let go? Is it pride? Is it anger? Is it disappointment? Is it fear? Where are you personally getting in the way of God’s mission to fill the world with His glory?