This week we are continuing our look at God’s people after they have been rescued from captivity in Egypt. Our texts are found in the book of Numbers. In the Jewish community, these writings are often referred to as “In the Wilderness,” an apt description for the context of these events. This period in the wilderness is a time of transition from the older generation who lived under the yoke of the Egyptians to a new generation poised to enter the Promised Land.
In fact, our text begins with an explanation of the men that Moses chose to scout the land of Canaan, men who represented each one of the ancestral tribes. Moses also tells us the name of each man’s father, helping us to see how they all are rooted in the generations that have come before, as well as the significance of those names among the people of God. We especially notice that Moses has given Hoshea, son of Nun, the new name of Joshua, which means the “Lord saves.”
The scouting expedition reveals that the land is indeed flowing with milk and honey but is occupied by people of great strength. When the Israelites hear of that strength, they are afraid and doubt their ability to enter the land that God has promised. It seems they have quickly forgotten how God overcame the Egyptians. Because of their doubts and disobedience, God denies their entrance into the Promised Land. The description of these events provides an opportunity for us to explore generational sin along with the relationship between God’s forgiveness and the consequences of our own sin.
In chapter twenty, we are confronted with one of the most discussed events in the Old Testament: God’s decision to prevent Moses from entering the Promised Land. As is often the case, the answer to the question of “why” is hard for us to grasp. Because this event, just like some of the events in our own lives, is difficult for us to understand from our perspective, we have to fall back on our faith in God’s sovereignty and His love for His people. We must embrace the truth that God sees far beyond what we can grasp from our limited vantage point.
By the time we reach the point in the story when the Israelites are camped on the plains of Moab across from Jericho, the tables have turned. Instead of God’s people trembling in fear, we are told that “Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.” In that fear, their king Balak turns to a pagan prophet named Balaam and asks him to curse the Israelites. The story of Balaam is interesting for reasons well beyond that of a talking donkey! In this narrative, we see how God speaks through an unlikely source, Balaam, to share His message.
Once again we see an example of how God works in and through all people and events to bring about His plan. These chapters describing the events in the wilderness show us that even when God’s people face terrible consequences for their sin, He is not done with them. He continues to work through all things because of His covenant love for His people.