Numbers 14:11-38: The Lord’s Sentence
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
In the Old Testament God measures out rewards and punishments and today’s reading is an example of this kind of relationship that humans have with the creator. This is a story about trust, fidelity and awe (or fear) of the Lord. Jesus and the New Testament tell us a broader story, one of forgiveness, compassion and love.
I do not believe that God really means to strike down his own people in this episode; rather, I believe that he gives his creatures the opportunity to enter into dialog with him and to speak on their own behalf. What I like most about this story is first, the way that Moses steps up and speaks frankly with God and second, the way God responds in fairness. It is easy to see that fidelity and trust are paramount in God’s kingdom. These are qualities that bring Caleb and Joshua to the Promised Land. They are also qualities that bring serenity to us today if we can only believe that God provides all that we will need in life. And this is the sentence he delivers to each of us . . . God always gives us guarantee of mercy, forgiveness and love.
A re-post from March 13, 2012.
For more on the Book of Numbers, visit the Numbers – Arrangement of the Tribes page on The Book of Our Life tab on this blog. Tomorrow we will reflect on the Israelite’s’ Unsuccessful Invasion.
Caleb and Joshua are interesting players in today’s story and for more information about this pair we might go to http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Story-of-Joshua-and-Caleb&id=19374
Visit The Stones Cry Out site to take a walk through the Bible. Click on the link or the image above or go to: http://thestonescryout.com/the_bible/walk_through_the_bible
The Noontimes 