Numbers 11:23 And the LORD said to Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? you shall see now whether my word shall come to pass to you or not. I. THESE WORDS HAVE SPECIAL REFERENCE TO A DIVINELY-REVEALED PURPOSE WHICH STAGGERS HUMAN REASON. 1. Let us look at this purpose. "God hath sent His Son into the world,... that the world through Him might be saved." 2. The difficulties in the way of this gracious purpose, which excite men's fears. There is the inveterate carnality of the human heart, the stubborn resistance of the human will to the Divine; there is the stolid indifference ,of great masses in Christian lands to the practical duties and claims of religion; and the growing scepticism of the day regarding the verities of the gospel. Consider also the prevalence of idolatrous systems and heathen superstitions among great masses of mankind. Take also the subtle rationalism and keen-witted infidelity which prevail in civilised and semi-Christianised countries. It requires strong faith in a man to calmly survey this formidable host of evil in the world and then take his stand by the side of Christ, confident that His cause will triumph. II. WE HAVE IN THESE WORDS AN ASSERTION OF DIVINE POWER WHICH WARRANTS HUMAN CONFIDENCE. God's purpose is a promise. He stakes His character on the fulfilment of His Word. 1. He cannot forget. 2. He cannot fail through insincerity. 3. He cannot fail through inadequate power to perform. III. IN THESE WORDS WE HAVE GOD'S CHALLENGE TO THE EARNEST FAITH, PRAYER, AND CO-OPERATION OF HIS PEOPLE. 1. The true attitude of the Christian labourer or the Church is to stand, with one hand of believing prayer taking hold of God, and the other hand of loving labour taking hold of fallen man, that the fallen may be raised, and the lost saved. 2. When we are ready for a blessing, God will not fail to bestow it. (John Innocent.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. |
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