In the wilderness narrative, Israel is presented as obstinate and ungrateful. No matter how many times God showed up to deliver and provide, Israel continued to mumble and complain. In Numbers 14, their continued rebellion came to head—God told Moses that He would end the nation of Israel and raise up a people stronger and greater than those He brought out of Egypt. At first, this judgment sounds harsh. But according to the terms of their covenant…God was within His right.
It’s here I must concede an uncomfortable truth about God’s judgment. If God were to judge us and hold us accountable for our sin, He would be within His right. If we look out at the world, at the trail of destruction from human sin and brokenness left in its wake, then we would end up short if a holy God called us to account for all of that.
Yet despite being worthy of judgment, God’s justice is rooted in His goodness, His loving-kindness, and His steadfast love. And It’s here, then, in Moses’s response that we get a picture of Christ—a righteous intercessor—appealing on behalf of a stubborn people:
So now, may my Lord’s power be magnified just as you have spoken: The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in faithful love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generation. Please pardon the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of your faithful love, just as you have forgiven them from Egypt until now.
—Numbers 14:17–19
While we are deserving of God’s judgment, we are also gracious recipients of His divine mercy. Like Moses, Christ stands before the Father as our righteous intercessor. It’s in Jesus we see the Father’s justice and mercy in action. Christ is judged on our behalf, and in Him justice is satisfied and mercy is made available.
This is the justice of God: Christ on the cross bearing the sins of the world, the Great High Priest praying for us, the mercy of God made flesh for the redemption of the world.
Written by Ryan Diaz
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49 thoughts on "God’s Judgment of Israel’s Rebellion"
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Reading about God’s wrath is always uncomfortable for me, but something new and beautiful stood out to me about this passage, especially paired with the reading from Ezekiel. We get insight into God’s own self-reflection about His anger in Ezekiel 20:13-14 and His reason for not punishing Israel the way He initially considered: It was for the sake of His name, which ultimately benefits those outside of His love (i.e., Egypt and the nations of Canaan) because it would shape how they see Him. This underscores for me the New Testament passages that encourage us as believers to consider how our behavior may impact others’ view of God—if our holy, righteous God considers His own actions, how much more, then, should I consider mine, broken and sinful as I am? This also reveals from early on that God’s plan of redemption was never *just* about Israel. Even in these early days, God was thinking about and laying the foundation for redemption of the Gentiles. So even though this passage challenges me because of God’s wrath, His beautiful and gracious love is still fully on display.
I haven’t gone through all of the comments, but I’m curious if God’s emphasis on the Sabbath (Ezekiel 20:12,16,20) stood out to anyone else. It makes me wonder even more about how important keeping the Sabbath holy should be in my own life.
Lindsey- you convicted me this morning!!! Thank you so much!!!
Further note- psalm 143:11 for your names sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness bring me out of trouble.
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Loving-kindness… I have always loved that phrase, RYAN DIAZ.
We so don’t deserve that loving-kindness, but aren’t we glad we’ve got it? ❤️
Have a blessed week, sweet She’s!
I love today’s devotion and all of your thoughtful comments! You and the SRT team are such a blessing to me! Thank you!
We said goodbye to our sweet pup Friday afternoon. The weather was rainy and cloudy all day, perfectly in line with our low mood and thoughts. The vet that came to our house to perform euthanasia noted that the sun came out from behind the clouds and showed its glory, just as Coco’s heart stopped. We all took that as a sign that she had moved on to a better place. Not sure if you believe that animals go to Heaven but I am starting to believe just that. God made each creature on earth so precisely and carefully, I think he has a plan for them to be loving us into eternity. I sure hope so anyway. ❤️
Billy Graham said that Heaven is a perfect place.
So if it is a perfect place then his dog will be there.
This reading was such a wonderful lesson and reminder to trust in God. Even when we can’t see what the end result of something may be, God is always there leading us where we need to be. I know that I am guilty of grumbling and have been hesitant of God’s path for me in the past. But I pray He continues to work on me so that I may continue trying to be more like Joshua and Caleb-two people with unwavering trust in God. Happy Monday, ladies! ❤️
What a powerful reflection on God’s judgment and mercy. It’s incredible to think about how Christ serves as our intercessor, bridging the gap between our sinfulness and God’s righteousness. It’s humbling to consider the depth of God’s love and the extent to which He went to offer us redemption through Jesus. It’s a reminder of the importance of relying on His grace and striving to live in accordance with His will.
Hello Shes
Alas, my stepdaughter & her children failed to “show up” in any form on “Mothering” Day. Leaving me challenged to turn from sinful thoughts of having been wronged (trip wire!), to Godly thoughts of being blessed (tremendously!) by those who did. To put down self-seeking. To pick up self-soothing. Gratitude not grumbling!
With that said…
Have a Wonder-filled Week everyone, wherever life takes you. And at all times, Go with Grace.
May the Lord settle your heart as you turn it all over to Him
Sending you love and praying comfort, ease and refreshment as you turn it over to Him
Just checked back in to read comments that I couldn’t pull up this morning, and all I can get is one now sent by Kimberly this afternoon.
:-(
Happy Monday ladies! What a great reminder about Gods faithfulness to us. @SEARCHING @MICHELLE PATIRE – thank you so much for your kind words Friday.
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Thankful for grace and mercy every day! Thank you Jesus for standing up and standing in for me when I should be condemned. I love you. Have a great Monday everyone.❤️
This is such a huge wake-up call to all of us – Sin, rebellion, doubt, disobedience – God takes it all very serious. And we should too. We can easily think we’re not like these people, but allow the Holy Spirit to show you where there is sin in your own heart, maybe it’s not “as big” as this, but is there doubt?, rebellion?, or even disobedience in some area that is causing you to not claim the benefits of the “promised land” in your life? I am certainly being convicted as I read these scriptures. Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” We can insert “doubt, disobedience, rebellion, sin” into that scripture. Holy Father, search me and let me know where I need to change and put my trust in You. I do not want to be punished for not obeying all Your laws. I want to enter into the promised land you have for me, and let those blessings fall on to my children and their children.
Dear Aly and Traci, thank you for your prayers this morning. May I add a big AMEN! Sisters I can’t read the earlier comments, can’t seem to get past 6 and then it stops. I will try again later. Same problem most days.
Lifting you all in .
Dear God please help me to recognize sinful thoughts when they begin and let them melt away- replace these sinful thoughts with thoughts of gratitude and strength. Thank you God, I love you. Amen
This is such a beautiful picture of Christ being our intercession! We don’t deserve it, we all fall short but He stands between us and Judgement! I’m so thankful for God’s mercy and grace!
I have so many emotions happening. I feel saddened that we question, disregard, or ignore God. I have hope that He gave us Jesus as our intercessor. It makes me want to be aware of my sinful nature. To try harder in this life. Oh how thankful I am for Christ bore our sins, but it also is so sad to think of what he went through.
Dear God – change me. Nudge me when I fall into sinful nature. Help me to turn away. To be thankful and not grumble or complain. Thank you Jesus, thank you…
Amen! ❤
Amen & Amen!
Numbers 14:6-10 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community, “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!”
10 While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.
*I love the reminder here.. to obey, believe and trust!! To see with God’s eyes!! To know like David, that God is way bigger than Goliath and that He WILL deliver what He promises, no matter how far-fetched or impossible it may seem, God fulfills and delivers!!!
**I also love how it points out that the Glory of God comes and shuts up the naysayers!!! This is powerful!! ..and a much needed reminder, that all we need do is believe and obey God and nothing may rise against us!!! Wow!! God, please help me to be like Caleb and Joshua, to see You, to bring a good report, to believe and to trust You above all things!! Let nothing deter me from what You would have me do/say!! Amen.
***I also love the reminder that there are consequences, both good & bad, for our actions!! For me this brings in accountability, a much higher accountability!! Help me Lord in this!! Amen.
How frustrating, gut-wrenching, disheartening it must have been for Moses, Caleb, and Joshua to stand alone in front of their entire community whose perspectives and actions were polar opposite s to their own. When I look at this story, it’s my first inclination to think I would be like Caleb, and I shake my head at those ridiculous Israelites. Lord, help me see who I really am so I can then see who You really are. Help me then to treat others the way You treat me.
We want His justice when we are wronged, but we don’t typically recognize when we have wronged Him. He took the punishment that was ours, on Himself…that was not fair either. Jesus was sinless and perfect, but He would rather die than live without us. Wow! Thank You Father God for accepting His sacrifice. Thank You Jesus for being our substitute. Thank You Holy Spirit for convicting us of our sins and reminding us of all Jesus did!!!
JULIA C, TRICIA C, TINA, KELLY (NEO) ❤️ Amen and amen!
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Such unbelief and ungratefulness!
Aren’t these the same children of Israel that just crossed a river on dry land by Almighty God’s provision??
Aren’t we the same, at times at least? Lord, please help us remember the times we’ve seen or felt Your hand on our lives and circumstances. Help us LORD, to stay strong in our faith and grounded in the truth of Your love for each of us, as we seek Your wisdom and follow Your guidance.
— Praying for the lost.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near. NKJV
Amen! ❤
Thankful that God sent his son Jesus and he took my all my sins away! Lord thank you for your promises and control guide me to the land of milk and honey. Allow my eyes to see and my ears to hear what you show me and say to me. Please remove all rebellion and complaining that will keep me from receiving your promise. In Jesus name. Amen.
Amen!
“This is the justice of God: Christ on the cross bearing the sins of the world, the Great High Priest praying for us, the mercy of God made flesh for the redemption of the world.”
And I, unworthy and unholy, walk in that lavish mercy with thanksgiving and awe
“So, my brethren, let us strip our discouragements and murmurings of all their disguises, and see them in their true character, and they will appear in their own naked deformity as discrediting God. It is true the difficulty before us may appear great, but it cannot be great to the Lord, who has promised to make us more than conquerors.” (Spurgeon)
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Dear Father,
I have no problem seeing You as slow to anger, faithful, loving, forgiving… But when I read about You being just, I get uncomfortable. Because I know that means I am unjust and condemned.
Seeing and acknowledging my true character is difficult and uncomfortable. But seeing and acknowledging Your true character is reassuring and hopeful.
As RYAN DIAZ said, Your justice is “Christ on the cross bearing the sins of the world, the Great High Priest praying for us, the mercy of God made flesh for the redemption of the world.”
May I recognize my sin as sin, as discrediting You.
May I know You, see You face-to-face, and trust Your promises.
May I find my identity in Your Son Jesus Christ, our blessed assurance, and be changed into His likeness.
AMEN.
Amen!
What a beautiful prayer Julia!! ❤️ I come alongside you in this prayer!!
Also, I LOVE that quote from Spurgeon!! Will add it to my quote book!!
Amen!
Beautiful!
Amen Julia!
How many times do we, at least I, doubt God‘s faithfulness. Why can’t I trust him? Well, I can trust him. He has never let me down. I’ve let myself down because I haven’t always trusted him. Lord, let me be a person of remembrance. Please help me to remember your faithfulness. Please help me to share with the others how faithful you are. You are AWESOME, God!❤️
I trust everyone had a good Mother’s Day. Happy Monday, Sisters. keeping you all in prayer!
I am in need of an intercessor daily! My sins of all shapes and sizes, are many, and varied.
BUT GOD..
He made a way, because of His faithful love, for forgiveness to be available to me/us, HE GAVE US JESUS!.
I breath, because I take in, really take in the truth of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, who stands before Father God, on my behalf.
I see God’s mercy daily, because of Jesus, and His standing in my place and taking MY punishment for wrongdoing..
I am able to rise, because I am enabled by Grace, Mercy, love and forgiveness through Christ who takes away my sin, and who is my/our intercessor.
I am able to stand forgiven, because I stand on His Word. His truth. His Grace. His Mercy. His Love. His Son.
His Son.
His Son.
My Saviour.
AMEN.
Wrapping you all in love, hugs and prayers, this Monday morning..
Praying, whatever your day looks like, you go in the Peace and Joy of God..❤️
Amen
Amen!
Amen… Such beautiful encouragement sister! ❤
Praying that you have a wonderful Monday Tina.
Amen
Yes.
His Son.
My Savior.
What a joy divine.
❤️
Amen❤️
Welcome Back Tina! Truth Teller & Wise Woman. Seems awhile since last heard your voice.