12-07-2020 Let’s Not Stop Our Footsteps

Title: Let’s Not Stop Our Footsteps

When it comes to the book of numbers, it is not the book that we read joyfully because it describes that God’s own people worked against God and never obeyed God’s instruction, hence God’s judgement fell upon them. Some theologians categorize the book of numbers as the book of rebellion and judgement.

1. Contents of the book of numbers

• Chapter 11

During the wilderness journey, God promised to provide manna every morning. However, the people of God were not satisfied with the manna which is the complete nutritional supplement. Thus, Moses asked them what else they want, and they requested to have meat and protein. Moses prayed to God, and God answered that because they grumbled against God. God fed them meat for the entire month. Here, even Moses thought how that is possible (Numbers 11:21-22). Moses said in order to feed the people of Israel with meats whose numbers are about 2 to 3 million, even if all the flocks and herds are slaughtered will not be enough. God used the wind to bring quails to fall besides the camp. Quails were piling up everywhere around the camp up to 90cm of height and 30km far. Numbers 11:32 says that the one who gathered least gathered about 10 Homer. If one Omer was the appropriate amount for a day consumption, if they are taking quails for 30 days, they only needed 30 Omers of quails but they took 1,000 Omers each. Isn’t it really the scene full of greed? How unhappy God would be to see such unbelieving and greedy behavior among His people.

• Chapter 12

Moses married a Cushite woman which is known as a woman from Ethiopia in today’s term. So, she must be black and she is a Gentile. Furthermore, she must be significantly noticeable if she was nearby Moses. Miriam and Aaron grumbled and spoke against Moses, “you should not have done such thing.” Furthermore, they spread doubts against Moses among the people of God that he is not the only one who listens to God and receiving from God (Numbers 12:1-2). So, God called three leaders and clearly told them, as God talks to Moses face to face, there is no way that Moses misunderstands the will of God and he would not do anything if it was not God’s instruction (Numbers 12:8). As a result of this rebellion, Miriam got leprosy. It is not a pleasant story.

• Chapter 13 & 14

12 representatives were selected among the 12 tribes and sent to spy out the land of Canaan. They looked around the entire land of Canaan carefully and found out the land is so blessed that a cluster of grapes had to be carried by two people (Numbers 13:23). Joshua and Caleb brought a good report that it is indeed the land greatly blessed and they should go up and take it at once. But the rest 10 spies brought the opposite report saying that the people living there looked so great and mightier, we should not be able to overcome them (Numbers 13:30-31). God was angry that His people had no discernment but were tossing back and forth by the unfaithful reports. God said apart from Joshua and Caleb, those who grumbled against God will not enter the land of Canaan alive.

• Chapter 15

God gave the Law while they were in the wilderness of Sinai, they must be aware that they should not work on the Sabbath and if it is broken, he would be put to death (Exodus 31:13-16). A man was found gathered wood on the Sabbath day, God’s instruction was the same as what He said before that is to kill the one who broke the Sabbath (Numbers 15:35). In Chapter 16, Korah’s fraction rose against Moses’ leadership and judged by God.

In Chapter 20, toward the last part of the wilderness journey, the people of God reached Kadesh where Miriam died. They still could not get rid of the habit of blaming Moses that they complained and grumbled against Moses because there was no water to drink (Numbers 20:1-2).

In Chapter 21, because the king of Edom did not let the people of God pass through easily, the people of God complained and grumbled against Moses. And God sent the fiery serpent to bite them.

2) Redemptive Lesson of the book of Numbers

The founding pastor, Rev Abraham Park taught us that the reason why God recorded the book of Numbers is to emphasize that the people of God continued to walk their journey to the land of Canaan. The people of Israel were continuously rebellious and disobedient to God, but one thing God was pleased with them was that they continued their footsteps to the land of Canaan, no matter what.

In Act 7:38, Apostle Paul says that the time of wilderness portraits the time of church. If the people of Israel had no other choice than staying in God’s territory for their safety, it is same to us that we have no other choice but to stay in God’s territory.

God is pleased with those who never stop their footsteps, and secondly, only those who had never given up entered the land of Canaan.

We may be surrounded by all kinds of gloomy and tragic incidents an situation which could be caused by our faults or maybe someone else’s fault. However, the important thing today is we should get up and more forward.