Readings for today: Numbers 14-18, Mark 6:30-56
“But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord,” (Numbers 14:21)
Do you ever wonder why God chose to create in the first place? Do you ever wonder why God didn’t just wipe everyone and everything out after Adam and Eve and start over? Do you ever wonder why God doesn’t step in and eradicate all evil and suffering once and for all? Here in the Book of Numbers we find our answer. God’s primary purpose in creation is to share His glory. It’s why He made human beings in His image. It’s why He gives human beings the mandate to “be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth.” God’s stated goal is to send us out bearing His image and glory to the ends of the earth.
Tragically, we reject this high calling. We exchange God’s glory for our own. We seek our own good above His good. We abandon His mission and instead exploit creation for our own selfish and greedy ends. And 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 penchant for rebellion is simply too hard to resist. Our pride is too much to overcome. Sin corrupts everything we think and do on some level.
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.
Friends, God has a mission! His mission is make His name known over all the earth. Not because God needs His fifteen minutes of fame. Not because God wants to be an influencer. Not because God is self-conscious or insecure. But because God is God and we are not. He deserves His glory. He is worthy of His glory. He reigns and rules over all He has made and as such, He will make His glory known. He will accomplish His will. 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! A mission that drives God even to this day! 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 and this is how the glory of God fills the earth.
Friends, this is God’s great mission and the greatest obstacle standing in His 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 steps 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. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, it’s sobering. Yes, we do not understand why people have to die but God is eternally consistent. He warned us in the Garden that the wages of sin is death and His judgment is righteous.
Friends, God is faithful. Not just to us but ultimately to Himself. God is steadfast. Loyal to His will and His way. God is holy. He will not be mocked. God will not allow His people to derail His mission. So think about your life. Do you intentionally order your life around the will of God? Do you intentionally live in such a way that you bring glory to His name? Is your life oriented towards God and His Kingdom or are you oriented around your own selfish desires? What drives you? Is it the fulfillment of God’s mission or is it your own selfish ambitions? 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?
Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 19-20, Mark 7:1-13