Four great obstacles in your life is grumbling, unbelief, self-confidence and sin. Numbers 14-15 gives us cures for these four obstacles. The cure for grumbling is focusing on the possibilities that God provides. The cure for unbelief is fully following God. The cure for self-confidence is surrendering to God. The cure for sin is remembering our identity in Christ.
Grumbling
Because Israel wished they died in Egypt because of hardships, they grumbled against Moses and Aaron. They talked to each other about appointing a leader so they could return to Egypt (Num. 14:1-4). Hardships can cause grumbling as you remember “better” times.
Focus
In response to the grumbling, Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of the congregation. Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes saying the land they spied was an “exceedingly good land” flowing with milk and honey that God would give. By not rebelling against the Lord and not fearing the people of the land, their enemies would be devoured without His protection since the Lord was with Israel. When the congregation talked about stoning Moses and Aaron, God’s glory appeared in the tent of meeting (Num. 14:5-10). Focus on the possibilities He provides instead of being discouraged over obstacles.
Unbelief
Because of their unbelief, God smote them with pestilence and dispossessed them. Moses pleaded to God that He would pardon their iniquity and forgive according to the greatness of His lovingkindness (Num. 14:11-19). Unbelief causes plagues and destruction.
Follow
After the Lord pardoned them, He said that “all the earth will be filled with the glory of Lord.” He said these men put Him to the test ten times and since they did not listen to His voice, they would not see the land. Because Caleb followed God fully, he and his descendants would take possession of the land (Num. 14:20-25). Follow God fully to occupy your “promised land” so it’s filled with His glory.
Self-Confidence
Those 20 years and older who grumbled against God except Joshua and Caleb would die in the wilderness. Their children would enjoy the land, be shepherds for 40 years, but suffer for their fathers’ unfaithfulness. Those who brought the bad report after spying out the land died by a plague, but Joshua and Caleb lived. The people mourned, admitted their sin and were determined to go up to the place the Lord promised. Moses said they would be killed by their enemies because the Lord was not among them. The Amalekites and Canaanites defeated them when they went without the ark and without Moses (Num. 14:26-45). Grumbling, rebelling and presumptuous self-confidence remove God’s protection causing defeat.
Surrender
When they entered the land God gave them, He commanded them to make a burnt or freewill offering in their appointed times along with a grain offering as a smoothing aroma to the Lord. There was one law and one ordinance for both the congregation and alien who sojourned with them. When they ate the food of the land, the Lord commanded an offering consisting of the first of their dough, cake or threshing floor to the Lord (Num. 15:1-21). Surrender yourself and give the first-fruits to Him when God provides the “promised land.”
Sin
When people unintentionally failed to observe these commandments without the knowledge of the congregation, they all would offer one bull for a burnt offering, grain offering and one male goat for a sin offering for both the native and alien. One who did anything defiantly would be cut off from the people because he despised and broke God’s word so that guilt would be upon him. Someone who broke the Sabbath by gathering wood was stoned to death by the congregation outside the camp (Num. 15:22-36). Intentional sin causes a broken relationship with God.
Remember
God commanded them to make tassels on the corners of their garments to remember all His commandments and not follow their heart and eyes to play the harlot so they could be holy to Him (Num. 15:37-41). Remember your identity in Christ with physical objects so you obey His commandments and not follow your heart or eyes in disobedience.
1. Focus on the possibilities that God provides instead of grumbling
2. Follow God fully instead of unbelief
3. Surrender to God instead of self-confidence
4. Remember your identity in Christ instead of sinning
