“That night all the members of the community raised their voices and
wept aloud. 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! 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?” And they
said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Numbers 14:1-4
There is so much wrong with these
statements I hardly know where to begin.
One obvious lesson is you never make
decisions when you are in a poor state of mind and panic qualifies as a poor
state of mind.
Let me show you what I mean.
Even in their panic mode they admitted
that God had led them to this place. And I quote, “Why
is the Lord bringing
us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?”
Frankly, they were in a MUCH worse spot on the
shore of the Red Sea. They were backed up to the sea with the Egyptian army
bearing down at full speed. If there was ever a time they would die by the
sword that was it! But they didn’t because God opened up the sea!
If God could deliver them from that army by
opening up the sea for His people and then closing it on His enemies, would He
not also be able to overcome the giants in Canaan?
Sure he could!
So, their own words indicted them!
If that was the worst of it that would be bad
enough, but it gets worse!
Not only did they fail to have faith because of what God
had already accomplished, but they presumed on Him at the same time!
What do you mean, Brad?
Think about it! Review this statement, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Just as they could not have arrived where they were without
God’s protection and provision, neither would they make it back across the
desert to Egypt without His provision!
So, they apparently had faith He would lead them BACK but
couldn’t believe He would lead them forward. The same God who opened a SEA
can’t split a RIVER?
In case you may think it doesn’t take faith to go back, here
is an illustration to the contrary. But it is presumptive faith not prevailing
faith.
Do you see what I mean?
How’s your faith?
Is it presumptive faith or is it prevailing faith?
Can you believe God has brought you this far?
Why would you fail to believe He can take you further?
Why would you fail to believe He can take you further?
What part of “Red Sea” don’t you understand?
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