Thursday March 2, 2023
Today our reading takes us to Numbers 14, 15, and Psalms 90.
Chapter 14 –
Once the scouts gave a fearful and negative report about the land the Israelites begin to rebel (again). The whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. These were tears that were being cried because of unbelief. They literally preferred death in Egypt than freedom in Canaan. They even wanted to appoint a leader to take them back to Egypt.
Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb tried to stop their madness, the latter two tried to convince them to take the promised land. Though the Canaanites looked impressive the Lord had removed their protection.
Ince again God threatened judgement on Israel and vowed to make an even greater nation but Moses intercedes for the people and makes a strong argument to save the people. God responds favorably to Moses’ prayer of intercession. However God did say that only Caleb and Joshua would enter the promised land because of their faithfulness. They vowed to attack the land of the Canaanites and the Amalekites but were doing without the blessing of God that is they were going on their own. The result was that they were destroyed.
Chapter 15 –
Once again God proved gracious to the children in spite of themselves. God provided instructions about making offerings to those who would enter the land that He is giving them. The next set of regulations had to do with planting crops and enjoying the harvests in the promised land, they were to set the first fruits aside for the Lord.
Then came the offerings for sin and its regulations covering disobedience to God’s commands done unintentionally. There seems to be sins of omission that the entire community could be guilty of without being aware of it, which nevertheless required atonement. Different offerings were made for different issues with the people.
To drive this home was the recorded story of the mad gathering wood on the sabbath. This was a blatant disregard of a clear command. Those who found him brought him to Moses. He was put to death by the whole camp stoning him, defiant sin is no laughing matter.
The final instructions of the chapter was appropriate after what had just happened. It was a practical way to help the Israelites to remember and obey God’s commandments.
Psalm 90 –
Because this Psalm was written by Moses it is the oldest of all Psalms. God alone is the place of divine shelter and protection for everyone who will take refuge in Him. With God the passing of a thousand years is like the passing of a day. Human beings, on the other hand, are like grass that withers.
Moses sees this passing nature of humanity that is due to sin. Death id God’s righteous judgement against man’s rebellion, all sin is visible to God. Moses prays that God will have compassion on His people and show them His faithful love.
Asbury United Methodist Church 