Moses intercedes for the people
August 7, 2022
Commentary
The Jews had a long record of complaining against the Lord and their leaders. Their murmuring began on the night of the Exodus when they were sure Pharaoh’s Army was going to kill them (Ex. 14:10-14). As Israel entered the wilderness of Shur, they complained because they didn’t have water to drink (Ex. 15:22-27), and then they murmured because they missed the special meals they had back in Egypt (Ex. 16). At Rephidim, the people were ready to stone Moses because they had no water (Ex. 17:1-7), and at Taberah some of the people complained and were killed by fire (Num. 11:1-3). Because of all of this Moses became so discouraged he wanted to die (Num. 11:11-15).
More than once, Israel in her pride tempted God in the wilderness and He had to punish them (Deut. 6:16). But like a stubborn child, the Jews didn’t seem to learn their lesson. Instead of pleasing the Lord who had done so much for them, they provoked Him to anger and sort of dared Him to act. When God was about to pronounce judgment Moses reasoned with God not to destroy them:
- He argued first of all that His glory would be tarnished if Israel were destroyed (vv. 13-15).
- His second argument was based on the covenant God had made with the patriarchs years before (that He would give them the land} (v. 16).
- His third argument pointed to the character of God and quoted what God Himself had declared to him on Mount Sinai (vv. 17,18).
- His final argument was the fact that the Lord had forgiven His people many times before (v. 19).
Application
By my complaining I am saying that I know more than God does about what is best for me. “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil. 2:14).
Numbers 14:11– 25 (NET)
11 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me, and how long will they not believe in me, in spite of the signs that I have done among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence, and I will disinherit them—I will make you into a nation that is greater and mightier than they!”
13 Moses said to the Lord, “When the Egyptians hear it—for you brought up this people by your power from among them— 14 then they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you, Lord, are among this people, that you, Lord, are seen face to face, that your cloud stands over them, and that you go before them by day in a pillar of cloud and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 If you kill this entire people at once, then the nations that have heard of your fame will say, 16 ‘Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to them, he killed them in the wilderness.’ 17 So now, let the power of my Lord be great, just as you have said, 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in loyal love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children until the third and fourth generations.’ 19 Please forgive the iniquity of this people according to your great loyal love, just as you have forgiven this people from Egypt even until now.”
20 Then the Lord said, “I have forgiven them as you asked. 21 But truly, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. 22 For all the people have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have tempted me now these ten times, and have not obeyed me — 23 they will by no means see the land that I promised on oath to their fathers, nor will any of them who despised me see it— 24 Only my servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit and has followed me fully—I will bring him into the land where he had gone, and his descendants will possess it. 25 (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites were living in the valleys.) Tomorrow, turn and journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.”