YLD (21/02/21) – Free to choose but need to face the consequence
Summary
What does the word “consequence” mean?
A consequence is what happens after you do something wrong.
God is faithful to his promise but will let his people walk away and face the consequence.
Today, we have to examine our hearts: Are we following God or drifting away from God?
The book is called Numbers because in the beginning of the book God ordered a counting of the people (a census) in the twelve tribes of Israel.
A decision to make: Follow God or walk away from God
Facing many tests
- Walk-in faith or walk-in fear
- Obey God or disobey God
- Choose to be faithful or follow the crowd
The consequence is taken 40 years instead of eleven day.
Walk-in the faith or walk-in fear
The spies came back with a fearful report. They described the land is a place which flows with milk and honey! Instead of seeing this as a place that God has prepared for them, all they saw is how strong the people were there.
What happened when you walk in fear?
- You forgot what God has done for you in the past
- You start whining and complaining.
- God rescued them from slavery in Egypt and set them free. Instead of having a thanksgiving heart, the Israelites complained about the food, they complained about their drinks.
Obey God or disobey God
Not only the Israelites grumbled against God.
4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
- They show disrespect to their leaders Moses and Aaron and more to it, they disrespect God. God has chosen Moses and Aaron to represent Him and be the messengers of God.
Out of the 12 spies, there are 2 spies who have faith in God: Joshua and Caleb. They told Israelites this is the land that God has prepared for them.
9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Numbers 14:-7b-9)
Israelites refused to listen to their leaders and obey God. And even though God forgave them, as a consequence, the Israelites still had to wander around the desert for another 40 years.