MOSES’ INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Numbers 14:11-25 / Keywords 14:19

In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now."

  11 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.”

13 Moses said to the Lord, “Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. 14 And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, Lord, are with these people and that you, Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. 15 If you put all these people to death, leaving none alive, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, 16 ‘The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

17 “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ 19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.”

20 The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. 25 Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea.[Or the Sea of Reeds]”

1. The people thought their issue was a lack of power, or direction, or their leaders. But it was a lack of faith: they refused to trust God even after he brought them out of Egypt and provided everything for them. They were holding God in contempt. Unbelief is a great sin before God. God was going to destroy them and start over with Moses. They really deserved no better.

 

2. Moses interceded in prayer, remembering how God revealed himself to the world through powerful acts when delivering these people from Egypt. They were bound to his name. God’s great strength is shown through this: he is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. God willingly forgave the people (20). God cares about justice: he does not leave sin unpunished. They disobeyed and tested God ten times. They would be disciplined for their rebellion. Not one of those who treated God with contempt would see the promised land. God wanted to break the pattern of rebellion and testing, with hope that the next generation (and us 1Co 10:11) might learn from this. God also blessed Caleb’s faith. In a rebellious generation, we are called to have a different spirit; to follow our God wholeheartedly, trusting in his reward.

 

Prayer Father, your mercy and justice reveal your great strength of character. Help me to follow you wholeheartedly, and intercede for this rebellious and sinful generation on the basis of your love.

One Word Forgive our sins based on your mercy

DO NOT REBEL AGAINST THE LORD WHO IS WITH US

Numbers 14:1-10 / Keywords 14:9

Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

 1 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. 

1. The whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron after hearing the bad report by ten leaders. God had promised to give them the land (13:2), yet they still did not trust God. In their fear, they doubted God’s love. They wanted to take matters into their own hands and return to Egypt, the land they had suffered as slaves! Our words have a great impact, and must not be spoken casually. We must greatly consider the influence of what we say in community (Eph 4:29), and not plant doubt.

 

2. Moses and Aaron did not side with the majority rule. Nor did they begin to fight and argue. They fell down on their face, demonstrating submission to God and humility to people. They hoped to help the people overcome their fear. Joshua and Caleb reminded the people that God is with them; it is not their power that will overcome their enemies, but the mighty hand of God. Their fear made them rebellious and even violent against Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb. Our community, the Church, is ruled by God through his Holy Spirit, who is working for our good. How do we respond to a bad report? We should not grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30), but remember God’s promises, pray, and trust him.

 

Prayer Father, your plans are for our good, even when they are difficult. Help us live by faith and not doubt your good plan. Help me pray and guard my heart from fear.

One Word Trust and obey God who is with us

A MAN OF FAITH IN THE MIDST OF DOUBT

Numbers 13:25-33 / Keywords 13:30

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.

Report on the Exploration

26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.”

30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

1. After exploring Canaan for forty days, the spies returned to the Israelite camp and reported to everyone what they saw. They said the land flowed with milk and honey, the same words the LORD used to describe Canaan (Ex 3:17). But they also said that the people were powerful and everywhere in the land. Their cities were fortified and very large. They felt like grasshoppers when comparing themselves to the Canaanites. To them, taking the land seemed impossible. Any military campaign seemed foolish.

 

2. As leaders from every tribe (13:2), their words were very influential–for better or for worse. While most of the spies emphasized the obstacles, Caleb silenced the people and said they should go up and take possession of the land. This was not bravado. He simply believed God would give them the land just as he promised. He expressed his faith and told the people to act on faith in God.

 

3. All the spies saw the same things. Many responded with unbelief. Caleb responded with faith in God’s power and promise. We sometimes hear things that can make us doubt God. But as you face challenges, express your faith in God and help others to also trust in God.

 

Prayer Father, please forgive my unbelief. When the situation is unfavorable, help me to put my faith in you and to encourage others to do the same.

One Word Have faith in God

AARON’S STAFF: A SIGN TO THE REBELLIOUS

Numbers 17:1-13 / Keywords 17:10

The LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die."

 The Budding of Aaron’s Staff

17 [a]The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff. 3 On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe. 4 Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you. 5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.”

6 So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and their leaders gave him twelve staffs, one for the leader of each of their ancestral tribes, and Aaron’s staff was among them. 7 Moses placed the staffs before the Lord in the tent of the covenant law.

8 The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. 9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the Lord’s presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each of the leaders took his own staff.

10 The Lord said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.” 11 Moses did just as the Lord commanded him.

12 The Israelites said to Moses, “We will die! We are lost, we are all lost! 13 Anyone who even comes near the tabernacle of the Lord will die. Are we all going to die?”

a. Numbers 17:1 In Hebrew texts 17:1-13 is numbered 17:16-28.

1. As with the bronze censers, God gave another illustration to teach God’s holiness and sovereignty: 12 staffs presented before the covenant law. The staff God caused to sprout indicated whom God had chosen as their mediators. They did as Moses instructed, and the next day Aaron’s staff not only budded, but blossomed and produced almonds! Only the Creator God who gives life could resurrect a dead branch like this! Through Jesus, God has chosen us too, and as we remain in Jesus we bear much fruit (Jn 15:5). This is a sign of God’s blessing and grace to us.

 

2. God instructed the branch to be kept with the ark in order to be a sign to the rebellious: when they saw it, they ought to remember it was not Aaron’s line who is sovereign, but God. God doesn’t want them to die, but to stop forgetting God, grumbling against people, and becoming rebellious. That generation was toxically sick with fear and doubt (12-13). But God never gave up hope for them to repent. God looks with hope to the next generation. God gives sign after sign, leading to his greatest sign: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

 

Prayer Father, you are holy and sovereign; you give life to the dead. Thank you that in Jesus, I – a dead branch – have been made alive and fruitful. May this sign and grace keep me from fear, grumbling and rebellion, and point others to you, my Creator.

One Word A sign so we may not die

EXPLORING CANAAN

Numbers 13:1-24 / Keywords 13:2

"Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders."

 1The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.”

3 So at the Lord’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites. 4 These are their names:

from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zakkur;

5 from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;

6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;

7 from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph;

8 from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

9 from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu;

10 from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;

11 from the tribe of Manasseh (a tribe of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi;

12 from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli;

13 from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael;

14 from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;

15 from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Maki.

16 These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)

17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)

21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol,[a] they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there.

1. God’s promises are not meant to be passively acknowledged. We are to believe, act upon, and experience them. That is the reason the LORD commanded Moses to send one leader from each tribe to explore the land of Canaan. God reiterated his promise to give the land to the Israelites (2) in fulfillment of his promise to Abraham. Believing God’s promise practically meant that they should spy out Canaan in preparation for a military campaign. God promised that victory was certain. He did not promise that victory would be effortless.

 

2. A leader from each tribe was appointed, including Caleb and Joshua, who later play important roles. Moses instructed them where to go to survey the land, to understand the inhabitants and their towns and cities, and to bring back some fruit since it was the season for grapes. Doing so would help the Israelites prepare strategically and give a glimpse into the magnitude of future victories and blessings. The leaders explored Canaan for forty days and returned with a huge cluster of grapes.

 

3. Are you holding onto a specific promise from God for your situation? Pray over and act on God’s promise. God keeps promises, and you will grow closer to him as you believe him.

 

Prayer Lord, you always keep your promises. Help me to practically live by your promises.

One Word Practically live out God’s promises

THE LORD UPHOLDS MOSES’ LEADERSHIP

Numbers 12:1-16 / Keywords 12:8

With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"

 

1. In this passage, Miriam and Aaron are spiritually proud and envious. They use ethnically-charged language about Moses’ non-Israelite wife to speak out against their brother. They envy Moses’ unique spiritual position. In contrast to his arrogant siblings, Moses says nothing. He is described as the most humble man on earth. To be criticized and denigrated by those closest to us is painful. How we respond reveals our humility and faith before God and others.

 

2. The LORD defends Moses. He states that Moses is not an ordinary prophet; the LORD speaks to Moses face –to-face. No one except Moses is allowed to see the LORD’s form. The LORD is angry with Miriam and Aaron. Their attack on Moses is a direct affront to the LORD’s authority and sovereignty. In response, the LORD afflicts Miriam with leprosy but heals her after Moses prays and a week-long quarantine.

 

3. Real sin in spiritual leaders must be dealt with swiftly. But criticizing and opposing spiritual leaders or their families from a place of pride, self-righteousness, and envy angers God. Instead of complaining or being divisive, pray for the spiritual leaders whom God has placed over you (Heb 13:17).

 

Prayer Father, please forgive my pride. Help our spiritual leaders to be faithful and bless many.

One Word Pray for the spiritual leaders among us

WOE TO NINEVEH!

Nahum 3:1-19 / Keywords 3:19

Nothing can heal your wound; your injury is fatal. Everyone who hears the news about you claps his hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty?

 

1. Nahum pronounces woe on the city of Nineveh. “Woe” is a term meaning great sorrow or distress. The Lord caused woe to Nineveh because of her great sins. In verses 1-4, Nahum reveals two of Nineveh’s sins: first, the great violence and bloodshed the Assyrians visited upon their enemies; and second, her moral turpitude. She acted the part of an alluring prostitute in persuading other nations to follow her wicked ways.

 

2. Because of her sins, the Lord was against Nineveh. He would punish her. The Lord would humiliate her by using the Babylonians to expose her as a weak, contemptuous spectacle of a nation. He would leave Nineveh in ruins, without a single ally to aid her or even to comfort her (7).

 

3. The Ninevites should have learned from history. The city of Thebes had at one time been powerful, with mighty allies in Put and Libya. Yet the Assyrians themselves had destroyed her. The city of Nineveh would find herself in a similar situation.

 

4. Assyria’s sins were her wound. It was a fatal wound. Just as she had done to other nations, so it would be done to her. And all the other nations on earth would rejoice at her doom.

 

Prayer Father, you give us history to learn from. Help us to learn your judgment of sinful nations and help us to repent and be delivered by you.

One Word The Lord will judge every wicked nation