"I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they." — Numbers 14:12
What is going on?
It appears that the Lord is threatening to do something that He has no intention of doing, just to get a response from Moses. God wasn’t going to cancel His promises to the twelve tribes of Israel, just because the nation was out of bounds in fear and disbelief. But He does express His anger in a way that made everybody sit up and take notice.
Moses’ response was incredible. A few moments earlier, a mob was threatening to stone him to death. Now, he jumps in to intercede for the very people who were threatening to kill him. He pleads with the Lord not to destroy them.
And Moses’ case isn’t just built on compassion for wayward people. He sees everything through the grid of God’s name. He begs the Lord to consider how God’s reputation will fare if He slaughters His people in the desert.
God, of course, predicted Moses’ prayer of intercession. He knew that Moses would help Him express what was on His heart. Sin does such terrible damage — God has so much repair work to do when His people sin.
I am struck with how Moses, who spent so much time in God’s presence, knew the heart of God. I think I’ll sign off here, and go hang out with our God.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.