Grumbling and the Go Back to Egypt Movement
Numbers 14:1-45
1. Overview
• narrative with five distinct elements that follows the lousy scouting report of Numbers 13
2. Perverted Congregation 1-4
• grumbling about leaders and about the LORD
3. Persistent Messengers 5-10
• face-down and torn clothes
• reminder of generosity and presentation of options
• threat of stoning
• reminder of generosity and presentation of options
• threat of stoning
4. Passionate Intercessor 11-19
• plague threat
• jealousy for the LORD’S glory, commitment to the LORD’S word, awareness of the LORD’s love
• jealousy for the LORD’S glory, commitment to the LORD’S word, awareness of the LORD’s love
5. Pardoning LORD 20-35
• not let off but not let go
• what the people saw and spoke
• what the people saw and spoke
6. Punished Rebels 36-45
• the terrified ten and the presumptuous soldiers
7. So What?
• Because rebellion against the LORD invites ruin, stop grumbling and start obeying.
• NT connection: Heb. 3:6-4:11
• “Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah! Leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust is on Thee stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.” (C. Wesley, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”)
• NT connection: Heb. 3:6-4:11
• “Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah! Leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust is on Thee stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.” (C. Wesley, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”)