Numbers 14:3, 4 And why has the LORD brought us to this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey?… The sin of the Israelites at this time is almost incredible. Their rash words (verse 3) prompt to reckless resolutions (verse 4), which, if not actually carried out, are laid to their charge (Nehemiah 9:17). Their crime includes the following sins: - 1. Criminal forgetfulness, as though the bondage of Egypt were better than warfare under "Jehovah Nissi" (Exodus 17:15). 2. Gross ingratitude. They imply that God has spared them and cared for them thus far in order to destroy them at last. 3. Shameful distrust, notwithstanding all the promises God has given, and the "signs" of his faithfulness he has shown (verse 11). 4. Obstinate disobedience - a stubborn disregard of the word and will of their God. 5. Utter madness. In returning to Egypt they must part company with Moses their leader and Aaron their priest. They must abandon the ark and the altar. They could not expect the manna to feed them or the cloud to guide them. And if they ever reached Egypt, what a reception would meet them there! All these sins are seen in a still more glaring form in the shameful crime of apostasy from Christ. Such a "drawing" back to perdition implies a previous coming near to Christ, and an enjoyment of blessings analogous to the covenanted blessings of ancient Israel (Exodus 19:3-6; Exodus 24:4-8). In apostasy we see - 1. Criminal forgetfulness of the bondage of evil habits, the burden of an uneasy conscience, the yearnings of unsatisfied desire, and all the other evils from which we looked to Christ to deliver us. How can it be "better to return" to these? 2. Gross ingratitude to God for all the blessing's enjoyed during the Christian pilgrimage so far; as though such a God could fail or forsake us, and not "perfect that which concerneth us," as all his previous blessings are a pledge that he will do (Psalm 138:8; Romans 8:32). 3. Shameful distrust. "An evil heart of unbelief" is generally the primary cause of departing from God (Hebrews 3:12). Distrust makes us weak against temptations even of the grossest kind. We may lose courage amid foes or temptations which, but for shameful want of confidence in God, would have little power to alarm and divert us from the path of duty (cf. Psalm 27:1-3; Psalm 118:6-12, and, in contrast, 1 Samuel 27:1). 4. Obstinate disobedience. For we are "under law to Christ;" and "his will is our sanctification," our perseverance, our conflict and victory till we reach the heavenly Canaan (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Timothy 6:11-14; Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 6:12). 5. Utter madness; for to "draw back" is to forfeit the fellowship of Christ's Church, the tokens of his favour, his promises, his consolations, and the good-will of God. To succeed is perdition (Hebrews 10:26-39). - P. Parallel Verses KJV: And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? |
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