Where the LORD is not able
‘It is because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness.’ And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.” (Numbers 14:16-19 ESV)
Through disbelief and disobedience, the Israelite caused themselves to suffer. Despite the LORD’s repeated reminders through his servant Moses, the people constantly bring up matters that could easily be resolved if they only would just listen, trust and obey.
This passage often provokes deeper discourse of our faith. Some linger on the fact that the “LORD is not able” because elsewhere we always reaffirm ourselves that “nothing is impossible with God”. Actually, it’s only a problem if one fail to read into the context. The LORD was unable not because He can’t do it, but because as a test of perseverance for His people the LORD made clear all the people had to do was obey Him, however difficult it seems because He was the one that freed them from Egypt. By their disobedience, they fail to do that and due to this, the generation of those the LORD brought out of Egypt will not see the promised land. Thus, the LORD was “unable”.
Another person may read and ask “LORD, where’s my promised land?” and claim to have never heard from the LORD.
Some of us are born with larger disadvantage than others. Yet, precisely of their disadvantage they’ve become greater servants of the LORD. A person coping well with cancer will carry a better testimony of faith rather than someone who’s just talking about it. A person who has survived a family tragedy will be able to minister to others who are facing the same thing.
The LORD knows. The LORD guides His people through it all. The Israelite faced many things out there: starvation, feudal warlords, sickness, dehydration, lack of identity. And finally there’s this simple fact that they do not have a permanent place to rest daily.
Moses himself didn’t live to see the promised land. Did he grip about it? No! As far as a man of faith was concerned, his “promised land” is being able to walk with LORD daily. What good is land of milk and honey, if you’re dead in your faith? For a man well advance in his years, he was able to climb to the top of a mountain before the LORD took him home. It was recorded that his sight and hearing was sound. I believe this is more than figurative.
Prayer points:
- Pray that we look beyond our present difficulties. Don’t forget that the LORD we were all once slaves (to sin) and now we’re slaves to righteousness.
- Trust and obey!
Prayer for the day:
Our Father in heaven, who’s Son Jesus Christ our LORD died for us, we thank you. We confess that we’ve often forget where we are and often look back “to the good old days” like the Israelite looking back to Egypt, forgetting they were enslaved. O LORD, help me and guide me. Thank you, as the verse promised that you’re slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. LORD, help me grow each day.
In Jesus holy name, Amen.
