Day 68, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Numbers 25:1–26:34; 1Chronicles 7:14-19; Numbers 26:35-37; 1Chronicles 7:20-29; Numbers 26:38-65
Responsibility and Restoration
Suppose an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) in your community brings you with a life-threatening illness to the hospital. The medical staff quarantines you in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Nurses give you the prescribed medicines, monitor your vitals, and keep everything sterile. A doctor periodically checks in on you, keeping up to date with your health. Eventually, God spares your life, you get better, and you can go home.
But, you must report to the doctor regularly until he is sure they've cured you. It's necessary to follow his orders to live a healthier life; he holds you accountable for the restoration of your health. Like being held responsible for your physical rehabilitation, God holds all who have gone to Jesus for spiritual healing responsible for their spiritual rehabilitation (1John 2:1-3). What do we mean by that? We'll discover more about it in this Bible study.
God expects us to live right
In today's Bible reading, the Israelites have spent forty years in the wilderness. Because they refused to trust God to give them victory over the giants in the land of Canaan, everyone twenty years and older died in the desert. Only Caleb and Joshua remain from that generation. Israel's children lived as shepherds until their elders paid for their own sins. God expected all the Israelites to live up to his holy standards. God expects the same of us:
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV)
God provided for and protected Israel
The LORD was gracious to the Israelites, despite the punishments they endured living in the desert. Not only did he give his people and their many flocks and herds water to drink and food to eat, but he also protected them from disease and wild animals. He even protected them from threats by foreign nations, and one was Moab.
King Balak of the Midianite nation (Moab) tried to hire Balaam, a famous diviner, to curse Israel. Whomever he cursed was cursed, and whomever he blessed was blessed. However, the LORD protected his people. When Balaam finally arrived in Moab, he could do nothing but bless the Israelites, and he did this three times.
Balak was furious! He wanted curses placed on them, but God loved Israel and protected her. Balaam could only say what the Almighty wanted him to say. Instead of cursing Israel for Balak, Balaam spoke a curse against Balak's kingdom and other surrounding nations.
Here is an encouragement for all those who have a relationship with our LORD—he is our shield and defense (Romans 8:31-39). Nothing can happen to us unless God allows it or we mess up.God holds Israel accountable
Even though God protects Israel, God still holds her accountable for her actions. Balaam travels home but then returns or sends a message. He is greedy for the money King Balak offers (2Peter 2:15), so he teaches “Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality”While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor [the place where Baal was worshipped]. And the LORD's anger burned against them (Numbers 25:1-3, NIV).Putting action to responsibility
For these sins, God’s anger burns against the Israelites (Numbers 25:1-18). He plagues them, putting 24,000 men to death before Phinehas, the High Priest's (Aaron's) grandson, shows himself zealous for God's honor.
When the rest of the Israelites are mourning over their sins, an Israelite man and a daughter of a Midianite leader brazenly parade in front of the Israelites and go into a tent to have sex. Phinehas follows them and thrusts a spear through them, killing them both. Phinehas' zeal for God appeases his anger, and the LORD stops the plague.
How much do we care about God's honor? (not to say we should slay anyone in our zeal for God). In our day, many people want us to understand the offender, make excuses for him and defend him rather than condemn him for the wrong he has done.
The LORD is a God of love, but he exercises justice on the guilty. He wants us to do the same within our framework of authority (lawfully, of course). Parents must sometimes referee their children and punish the guilty ones. Coaches must sit players on the bench if they don't work as team members or fight. Teachers must exercise control and discipline in their classrooms. Churches and other government bodies must exercise discipline or judgment on their members or citizens. God holds each of us responsible for our actions (Hebrews 9:27; 2Corinthians 5:10).
God is faithful
By comparing Numbers 1:44-45 and 3:39 with Numbers 26:51 and 62, we see God had replaced almost everyone who died in the wilderness over forty years. This not only shows God's judgment; it shows his mercy and grace! Although the Israelites rebelled against God, they're not entirely wiped out. The first generation out of Egypt lost their opportunity to enter the Promised Land. Still, their children and grandchildren haven't lost their inheritance!
Encouraging the next generation
We, too, may experience discipline for our sins. However, our gracious God is interested in our restoration and the continuance of a godly seed (inheritance). This seed comes through a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He gives us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life. We can reproduce godly seed by leading our children to seek a relationship with the LORD. We'll impress them by loving and obeying him. Even if we have made mistakes, we can encourage our children to learn from them. They don't have to experience missed opportunities and punishments, as we have. The LORD is just, but he is also good and kind.
Discussion
God cleanses us from our sins and saves us from spiritual death. What is our responsibility? What kind of things should we do to remain spiritually healthy and even reproduce?
Focus verse
Ezekiel 18: 32 (NIV) “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: We are often like the Israelites—we mess up. How do we get Back on Track? Find out in our next lesson.
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re-edited 3-18-23
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