Numbers 14:11-19 And the LORD said to Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me… The crowning act of unbelief on the part of the Israelites at Kadesh brings God into their midst in righteous anger, lie remonstrates (verse 11) and threatens (verse 12). God's foreknowledge of Moses' prayer did not prevent this apparently absolute threat. This need be no difficulty to us, unless we hold opinions about God which would make the government of free, moral beings by promises and threats impossible. For illustrations of Divine words or acts contingent on human actions see 2 Kings 20:1-11; Luke 24:28, 29; Acts 27:22-24, 31. Moses stands in the breach, and skillfully urges two motives, suggested by - I. HIS ZEAL FOR THE HONOUR OF GOD. II. HIS FAITH IN THE MERCY OF GOD. I. (verses 13-16). The Egyptians would soon "make comedies out of the Church's tragedies." Our best pleas are founded on the prayer, "Hallowed be thy name." E.g., 1. In pleading for a highly-favoured but guilty nation. After all God has done for Britain and by it, may we not feel as though it would be a dishonour on the Christian name and a reflection on the Christian's God if we were altogether cast off. Our plea is Jeremiah 10:24, and our hope is Jeremiah 30:11. 2. In pleading for a fallen Christian. 3. Or for ourselves (Psalm 79:9; Jeremiah 14:7, &c.). God feels the power of this motive (Deuteronomy 32:27; Ezekiel 20:9, 14). God is not) like some men, indifferent to his own reputation (Isaiah 48:11). II. Note how skillfully Moses uses God's own declaration of his name in Exodus 34. He appeals (1) to the pure mercy of God; (2) to the past mercies of God (Psalm 25:6, 7; Psalm 51:1; Isaiah 55:7, 8). - P. Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? |
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