Numbers 14 Commentary
Chapter 14 defines a couple of terms.
Fear of enemy (in the presence of God): Contempt of God.
Doubt (regardless of evidence of divine ability): Contempt of God.
In Chapter 13, we discussed the words “fear” and “doubt.” We had our own view.
Chapter 14 gives us God’s view of what we call fear. We have a detailed description of God’s view of doubt.
To treat with contempt is to regard something or someone as worthless. Israel treated God with contempt. Verse 11.
Rejecting God is rejecting life, hence the death sentence against Israel.
It’s clear from this chapter that Israel didn’t have any reason to fear or doubt. The LORD God did enough to instill courage and confidence in Israel, both from history and personal experiences. Chapters 13 and 14 are a very low point for Israel.
God’s plan would still succeed but through Moses. Everyone else must die.
Moses intercedes. His intercession works but only partially. Israel would spend 40 years wandering about in the wilderness.
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 – 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. Verses 22 and 23.
Then the famous verse: So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say. Verse 28.
Israel wished they died in the wilderness instead of dying at the hands of the “Giants”. The LORD would grant this this wish.
So we can explain these numbers. The 600,000 at the start is the same as the 600,000 at the end. The figure is the same but not the composition!
It speaks volumes about God’s ways: His intention was to settle 600,000 in the Promised Land. He maintains the figure but not the components. It’s difficult to defend the statement that the LORD makes losses. His purposes are cast in steel and concrete.
The chapter closes with yet another point of disobedience. Israel seeks to undo their mistake by going up against the enemy but without the blessing of the LORD. It’s a good case of salvation by human effort. It always fails!
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