Links for today’s readings:
Read: Numbers 14 Listen: (6:15) Read: Galatians 2 Listen: (3:44)
Scripture Focus: Numbers 14.17-23
17 “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ 19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” 20 The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, 22 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—23 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.
Reflection: What is God’s Strength?
By John Tillman
At the border of Canaan, Israel openly rebelled against God and Moses. Moses asked God to display his strength. What did Moses mean by God’s strength?
Did Moses picture military victories against the Amalekite and Egyptian armies? (ref) No.
Did Moses picture the miraculous provision of manna from the morning dew, quail from the sky, and water from a rock? No.
Did Moses picture signs, wonders, and mighty plagues that humbled Pharaoh? No.
Moses’ picture of God’s strength came from being hidden in the cleft of rock as God passed by revealing his nature—compassion, grace, patience, faithful love, and forgiveness paired with establishing justice by punishing the guilty. (Exodus 34.6-7)
This is also the picture of God we see in Jesus. On the cross, we see both Christ’s loving forgiveness and his upholding of justice. Like Moses was hidden in the rock, we are hidden in Christ, united with him in his death on the cross and his resurrection. That is where we see his glory, his strength, most clearly. From the cross, Jesus says “forgive them” and “you will be with me.”
Some think compassion and forgiveness are weaknesses, but they are God’s strength demonstrated in Jesus. Some think compassion and forgiveness mean approval, endorsement, or the removal of consequences, but Jesus also establishes justice and punishes evil.
God forgave the rebellious Israelites, Jesus forgave the rebel on the cross, and he forgives us in our rebellions. However, the consequences of sinful choices often persist. None of those who rebelled entered the promised land and their children suffered decades in the desert before claiming the delayed promise.
The consequences to future generations for our sins are unknown. However, we know God will keep his promises and remain true to his nature.
God will not become a lax, anything-goes buddy-god, indulging hungers, lusts, or fears. Our rebellions and sins are serious and so are any wrongs or harms done to or by us. God takes sin seriously.
God will not abandon his plan. Our progress can be delayed by our hardhearted stubbornness, but if he has to lead us through the desert multiple times, he will deliver us into the true promised land of his presence.
Let us remind ourselves, our communities, and the Lord, that we rely on his forgiveness and cry for his justice. Let us not treat either the Lord’s forgiveness or his justice with contempt.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. — Psalm 67.1-2
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime
by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: The Law that leads to Grace
God came near and extended his hand to us. And his arm was not too short to save.
Read more: He Is Faithful When We Are Not
Whatever his people choose, God is making a choice, too. God knows Israel will be unfaithful. He’s going to be faithful anyway.