Scripture Daily

Context No. 3074 of 4322 · Numbers

Context · Reflection

Numbers 14:41-45: in context

41Moses said, “Why now do you disobey the commandment of the LORD, since it shall not prosper? 42Don’t go up, for the LORD isn’t among you; that way you won’t be struck down before your enemies. 43For there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you, and you will fall by the sword because you turned back from following the LORD; therefore the LORD will not be with you.” 44But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain. Nevertheless, the ark of the LORD’s covenant and Moses didn’t depart out of the camp. 45Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites who lived in that mountain, and struck them and beat them down even to Hormah.

Having just refused, in fear, to enter the land God gave them, Israel now swings to the opposite error. They presumptuously charge up the mountain, though Moses warns them plainly: do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, and you will be struck down. They go anyway, without the ark and without Moses, and the Amalekites and Canaanites come down and rout them.

This is disobedience trying to correct itself on its own terms. Having rebelled by refusing to go, they now rebel by going when God has said stop, presuming that a sudden burst of resolve can undo their unbelief. But God is not with them; the ark and Moses stay in the camp, and without his presence their zeal leads only to defeat. Late obedience on our own initiative, after we have already forfeited the moment, is not the same as obeying God. To presume on his help while we stand outside his will ends badly.

Do I ever try to fix my disobedience with a burst of self-willed effort, presuming God's help where I have stepped outside his will?

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