Law – Numbers 13-15

Now the people of God had set off and started their journey. The next place that the people came to was the Wilderness of Paran. Let’s read on to see what happened at this place.

Bible Passage: Numbers 13 to 14

Since today’s Bible reading is on The Law, I shall comment on chapter 15 first for it recorded the laws that the Israelites had to observe when they had come into the land of Canaan.

As we read through these laws, it is very clear that God is very specific and very detail about the requirements. As we reflect upon this nature of God, we can see why God is still very specific about the doctrine of salvation today.

From the laws that were being laid down clearly to Moses, we can understand that it was like a path for the people of Israel to tread on in order to make peace with the Lord, to make atonement for their sins, in fulfilling their vows, etc. So likewise, the path of salvation according to His grace is also being laid down clearly for us in the Holy Bible.

Concerning the penalty for violating the Sabbath, a non True Jesus Church believer would most probably use this as a reason for arguing against the observance of the Sabbath Day for Christians under grace, for God cannot be that cruel in this era of grace. Well the penalty, which is death, seems to be merciless; but this is a human perspective. The laws were from God and they were for man to follow in order to be holy, as the Heavenly Father is holy.

Pr. Aun Quek had reminded and expounded to us that the standard of God is high not because He is being unfair or too rigid, but it is for our salvation sake. For no one who is unholy can come to God, so one can be holy only when one abides faithfully by the laws (words) of God. Furthermore, the gravity of the penalty does not show the cruelty of God, but on the contrary, in all aspects, it shows the warning of God out of His love for us and the importance of observing the Sabbath day; for the Sabbath is a day of rest for our physical body and for our spiritual wellbeing, a day that God blesses.

Chapter 15 is ironically sandwiched between the 2 recorded rebellions of the congregation and the leaders of the people. Ironic because God still opened a path by prescribing specific sacrifices for the rebellious man to atone for their sins. These rebellions truly revealed the very tendency of the human hearts. It is indeed very heart wrenching to read and know how these people of God had such complaints and even violence against the servants of God. But time and again, Moses interceded for the people and was quick to act wisely to save the people from the wrath of God.

A Big Mistake

Chapter 13 starts with the account of God commanding Moses to select men from each tribe to spy out the land of Canaan. Why was there a need to spy out the land? Was not the land called the Promised Land which God had already granted the Israelites? Reading from this chapter alone may give us the impression that it was the will of God to send the spies, but if we read Deuteronomy chapter 1, the picture becomes clearer to us.

The Book of Deuteronomy was a recount of the exodus events by Moses, so in this particular case of sending out the spies, this book sheds some lights for us. All along the people had been afraid and complaining to Moses that they would not be able to win the battle with the inhabitants of Canaan, and they refused to go up to take possession of the land. But Moses reminded them of God’s promises,

Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it,

as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.

Deut. 1:21

The people who gathered to Moses and suggested to send spies into Canaan (ref. Deut. 1: 22) had made a big mistake. For they doubted God’s providence and His promised protection. And the end result of the spying caused great fear in the people so much so they murmured against God for bringing them out of Egypt! God does not force His will upon us, He wants us to understand His will and we have to be willing to put full trust in Him and submit to His will.

Let us ponder for a moment, have we, or are we making this kind of big mistake at this point of our lives? Are we so adamant about our desires and will that we drown the promises and faithfulness of God?

The Consequence of The Big Mistake

So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”

Num 14:4

This is a very heart wrenching suggestion from the people. This statement makes me feel that these people were literally throwing their God out of their lives! What a big mistake they had made! This mistake cost their lives and made the Israelites to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years.

Many of us may feel that these people deserved nothing but death! We thought that we will not make such mistake by totally turning away from God due to fear of the enemy.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

1Cor. 10:12

Indeed we need to be consciously and constantly walking on our spiritual toes, as I had mention in my previous posts, that we are reading this history in the comfort of our homes; therefore we cannot actually feel what the people were going through in the wilderness with the various unfriendly, sometimes even harsh conditions.

We will definitely have our share of trials and testing as we lead our lives on earth as Christians, so are we prepared to face them with our Lord? Or are we going to let our human weaknesses overwhelm us and reject God’s love and promises? Let us endure to the end, be prepared to face whatever conditions that may come our way with a steadfast faith in the Lord! For he who endures to the end shall be saved.

The following gospel song reminds us of God’s faithfulness, He remains faithful even when we are faithless, for God cannot deny Himself.