Conquer by the Faith that pleases the Lord (Num 26-30)

Num 26-30
Key verse 27:8, 16-17:  ⁸ "Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.
16 "May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."

Introduction:

Ch 26-30 is about what was necessary to enter the land of God’s promise. There are four God’s directives as they anticipate entering the promised land; first, they were to do census to find out how many were able to fight the battle in order to conquer the land (ch 26); second, an answer on who would inherit the land to the question raised by Zelophehad’s daughters (27:1-11); third, handing of the leadership from Moses to Joshua (ch27:12-23); fourth, how to maintain their covenant relationship with the Lord in the promised land or when and how Israel were to present themselves before the Lord when they enter the promised land (ch28-30)

After roaming in the desert for 4o years, they had first friendly encounter with other neighboring nation, Medianites and Moabites. Since they were not a part of the initial plan to conquer the land, Israel accepted a friendly invitation. Not knowing that their friendliness was a ruse to destroy them, they befriended with them, they got into sexual immorality and eventually to Baal worship, a detestable thing to the Lord. As the result 24k people died. This exposure gave Israel a painful lesson on the dangers of uncontrolled or unassuming relationship with pagan nations. Since from this point on, their main activities would be ‘conquering all the inhabitants of the Promised Land’ this event also considered as a preparation of the nation how to deal with pagan nations in forth coming wars.

Though we noted four more preparatory teachings/steps, in today’s message we will look into only the first two, the census and its significance and question on who would inherit the land and who would conquer the land. Though these two latter question seems to be the same, I consider that the Bible clearly speaks two issues separately.

Though Israel sinned and died, they would have a lasting inheritance in the land of God’s promise. This assurance of blessing for inheritance was not by what they did or did not do but by God promise given to their forefathers. Nevertheless, for the conquering the land of God’s blessing, God excluded those who did not have faith that honors the Lord. Only those who have the faith that pleases God was allowed to join in conquering the land. As we go through the passage, I pray and hope that this distinction may be clear to you and that you may be able to join in the war to conquer the land of God’s blessing.

1.      God keeps His army to conquer the land of His blessing (ch 26)

First, God told them to do census. The purpose was to count the number of people who could fight in the army. About 40years before, the first census was taken, as they were about to march out from the Mount Horeb toward the Promised Land. At that time, the total number of people above the age 20 was 603,550. At this time, the total number was 601,730. Their change was very miniscule. Despite of the death of all above 20 at the first census, total number has not decreased. In order to understand what these numbers mean, I looked at normal distribution of total population. In general, if this population was in normal distribution, men above 20 is about 2/3 of the total population of men only. But in this calculation, it is impossible that their numbers now matched up with the number of men 40 years before. In looking at age distribution in Africa, certain nations, median age is about 20-24. It means that the number of the age 20 or below is the same number of the age 20 above (26:4b).  God grew this second generation of Israel as his treasured people. Despite of such a harsh environment, of which the first generation made so many complaints and died, this young generation survived and survived so well to replace all the first generation. Think about this; the age below 20, many of whom were just born or babies, toddlers, were much vulnerable to all kinds of harsh environment, particular lack of water and good nutrition, i.e. food. When the first generation complained of lack of water, their concern was on their young ones,(Exo 17:3) their vulnerability to sickness by dehydration and lack of nutrition. Nevertheless, it was not a better environment such as having plenty of water and food, but God who is life and sustained their lives so strong and healthy.(Num 14:3, 31-33)  

The lives of the second generation, young and had no ability to cope with any harsh environment, seemed to be totally at the mercy on the availability of basic necessities of life such as water and food.  Contrary to the worries of their parents, God did took care of their lives to be strong and healthy while their parents were all dying of sicknesses. This outcome speaks powerfully God’s selective hand of protection and power to sustain their lives. God is life and sustains lives of those whom he wanted to bless.

It is alarming that the number of evangelical Christians in US has been decreasing from over 80% 20 years ago to mere 30-35% now. It has decreased so much that they are not anymore a majority and has roused fear and uncertainty of the future of this nation among the genuine believers. They were replaced with agnostics and atheists and many other pagan beliefs.  On campus, I encounter far more number of non-Christians than Christians.

But if God kept the nation Israel fit to conquer the land of God’s promise, then it would be no problem even now to keep His people. No matter how small in number and how powerless we may look, God has been growing His people to fight against all of His enemies.  This will is seen in this number. There are many drop-outs among the chosen. Nevertheless, God will fill his kingdom with the number and will keep the strength of his army. Be joyful in God’ amazing hope for us.  

2.      Inheritance of the land of God’s blessing does not depends on how one does but on God’s promise. (27:1-11)

After the census, the first issue came up on Israel was a question on who would inherit the land of God’s promise.  There was a man, Zelophehad, a fourth generation son of Manasseh. He died while Israel was roaming in the desert. But he left no sons but four daughters. So the four daughters asked Moses if they could inherit the land in their father’s name. Also they appended the reason why they thought that they were qualified to inherit the land because their father did not participate in the rebellion with Korah though he died of his own sins. What did they mean that their father was not a part of the rebellion of Korah? As we studied , many died in the desert; some complained and burned to death(11:1-3); some died of eating too much quail(11:33), some died of their lack of faith in the Lord regarding God’s promise of the Promised land (14:22-24), and some died as they violated the Sabbath,(15:35), some died by snake bite because of complained of water and food and 24000 died as they were engaged in sexual immorality with Medianite women and Baal worship.  One thing, these daughters did not mention any of these. Instead they said that their father was not a part of the rebellion against God by Korah and his associates, implying that their father was involved in one of this list other than Korah’s rebellion or implying that though he died of his own sin, God might be willing to grant a piece of land of God’s promise.

Also, I like to note one verse to remind;

Num 14:20-23 ²⁰ The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. ²¹ Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, ²² not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times—

This raised two questions that Moses or Israel did not encounter before. Who would inherit the land of God’s promise? Along this question comes one more, if God forgave their sin, then what sins would God forgive and allow them to inherit the land or which sin that God would not forgive and would be excluded from inheritance of the Promised land? Moses asked this to the Lord and God gave the answer:

⁶ and the LORD said to him, ⁷ "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and give their father's inheritance to them.

God’s answer was affirmative and clear; these daughters shall have an inheritance in their father’s name. This is repeated in v6b

You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and give their father's inheritance to them.(7b)

This principle was illustrated in detail in the next verses;

⁸ "Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter. ⁹ If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. ¹⁰ If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers. ¹¹ If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it.

If one dies without a son, then to daughters, then to his brothers, then to father’s brothers and then nearest relatives, through these channels, the inheritance will be handed down in his name; so it concludes ‘he may possess it’ In this way, God made a very strong emphasis on the fact that death by sin while they were on the way to the promised land shall not lose a lasting portion of his place in the Promised Land.

This is to have the force of law for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.'"(11b)

God could not make any stronger than this in order to make sure that all those that died on the way to the land of God’s blessing shall not lose their inheritance. This is an amazing will of God. Despite of sins of his people, he would not take away their blessing in the Promised Land.

Nevertheless, what God said to them as they rebelled against the Lord at Kadesh-Barnea.

²³ not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.

Then question comes; who are allowed to see or to conquer the land.

3.      Moses’ trust was not enough to honor the Lord (27:12-14)

Having said that God would not exclude those who sinned from a portion of the Promised Land, what God said to Moses was another facet of God’s truth about God’s purpose in salvation of men.

God told Moses to go up this mountain, Abarim Range so that he might see the land God has given to Israel. (There is another description of Moses’ death in Deut 32:48-52; 34:1-9; ; In this passage, the focus is not much on handing down the button of the leadership but more on the fact that Moses also falls on the same principle; those who disbelieved the Lord cannot join in conquering the Promised land) Yet God made clear that he would die there. This was repeated in Deut 32. The reason was this:

¹⁴ for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes." 

In this way, as far as Moses was concern, God wanted him to know two things; first he must see the land but he cannot enter the land of God’s promise. Second God forbid him to enter the land because he did not honor the Lord. These two facts about Moses’ death were repeated twice more.( in Deut 32:48-52; 34:1-9) The sin of Moses precluded him from entering the promised land. The nature of his sin is more exactly described;

(20:¹² But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”)

The exact nature of his failure was ‘his trust was not enough to honor God as holy’.  Moses knew the Lord more than anyone else in the world for he had very intimate relationship with the Lord. Nevertheless, he was not perfect in honoring the Lord as holy as he was worthy of; What does this tell us about what a man can do in honoring God as he is worthy of. If Moses, the most humble man among his people and the one who had the most profound knowledge and intimate relationship with the Lord could not live to honor to the Lord in perfection, then who can? Also when God rebuke Moses, he said that he made such mistake or could not honor the Lord because ‘he did not trust enough”.    This is as good as treating the Lord with contempt (14:23) for they did not count on what God did in Egypt and in the wilderness (14:22). In other word Moses did not give full credit to the Lord as he was worthy of as the Lord of creation and author of life. To give full credit to the Lord as he is worthy of is to believe or to trust one’s life and his understanding in God’s hand. If he had trusted the Lord, then he could have obeyed the word of the Lord; speak to the Rock, not hitting the Rock.

In this way, Moses’ failure to honor the Lord makes clear that no one could obey the word of God in full or perfection enough to honor the holiness of God in obedience.

What about Caleb and Joshua who were allowed to enter the Promised land?

14:24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

Here the word ‘wholeheartedly’ denotes an idea of full dedication, or full commitment of one’s heart to the Lord without any reservation. Out of this committed heart or full reverence to the Lord Almighty comes the faith that pleased Him. If Moses did not trust the Lord enough, the Caleb and Moses trust the Lord enough to honor Him. In this way God indirectly spoke about ‘the faith of Joshua and Caleb.’ This is the ‘different spirit and following him wholeheartedly.

If God allowed only Joshua and Caleb to see and to conquer the Land of God’s blessing, then what about the second generation? Did they have such faith as Caleb and Joshua had?

4.      To be able to conquer the land of God’s blessing, the second generation must have faith that pleases the Lord.  

God made it certain that despite of the lack of faith all Israel and committed sin, they would all inherit the land of God’s blessing. And yet at the same time God excluded those who did not faith to participate in conquering the land or in seeing the land. Then were the second generation any different from their fathers that they were allowed to conquer and to enter the land along with Joshua and Caleb? Or what God said to the first generation was only applicable to that generation only and not applicable to the second generation? Was it that it was God’s temporary injunction for that generation only?

That was highly unlikely a temporary injunction just for that generation because God made this principle clear repeatedly not only to that generation, and to the second generation as well as to Moses. When God spoke this word to Moses, He was saying that unless one has faith like Joshua and Caleb, God would not allow to participate in conquering and in entering the land of God’s blessing.

Then how did the second generation come to have that faith and was all allowed to join in conquering and sharing the land of God’s blessing?

In order to find the answer, I like to look at what happened the bronze snake incident (Num 20:4-9). This happened after they set off from the Kadesh Barnea toward the land of God’s blessing. Because Edom did not allowed them to pass through their land, Israel had to go southward and then cross the river and then deeply into a desert land. There they went upward far east side of the king’s highway.    They faced a very unhospitable terrain where there was not much of water and food. Food and water issue had come up at least four times before (water: Exo 15:22-27; 17:1-7; food: Exo 16:1; Num 11:4-35 ; water and food Num 20:1-13). Yet they could not overcome ‘frailty’ of the body without water and food. They were pressed hard by the demand of the body for they were pushed up to the brink of life and death, at least they felt as such. [‘grew impatient’ is a combination of two Hebrew words [nepes (life, breath) +qsr(too short)].  The main attitude of Israel toward God was ‘quarrel’ (Meribah; Exo 15:22-27; 17:1-7; Num 20:13, 24; 27:14: this name typified the true nature of Israel and was used repeatedly). It might be that this occasion was the worst one than previous experiences. So they complained again as their fathers did before. 

5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"  (Num 21:4 NIV)

As they were, they were not much different from their fathers. This also speaks about how difficult or how impossible it is for any men to have the faith when one’s life is on the verge of death. Then a questions comes why God subjected his people to such an unhospitable condition, particularly shortage of water and food so many times? It seems that they were pushed to their limit where they felt dying, to the brink of life and death; the last event (Num 20) speaks more clearly in this aspect. In these repeated threats to their lives, they were to think what or who was the source of life; was it water or food or God? So we can say that this was an ultimate test of faith if they rely their lives on what their body demands or God who is the source of life. Israel remembered this clearly (Deu 8)

Deuteronomy 8:3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (Deu 8:3 NIV)

Were they able to entrust their lives on God’s hand? Trusting God is trusting one’s life in God’s hand. This is the faith that God wanted from His people.

Isn’t it unfair to their fathers if God let this generation go to conquer and see the land though they were not much different from their fathers?  So, God had to do something in order to create a nation of faith. Otherwise this second generation would also fall as their fathers and unable to conquer the land because of the lack of faith. What did God do?

God sent venomous snakes and they bit people. As the venom spread their bodies, they said this;

7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us."  (Num 21:4 NIV)

The word ‘we have sinned’ appears twice in Numbers (14:40c; 21:7); in both the word ‘sinned’ is a perfect tense, exactly the same. Out of so many troubles that Israel had during to journey to the Promised Land, only on these two occasions, they fully acknowledged their sins. Out of these two, only in this occasion Israel asked for forgiveness. This means that for the first time, Israel acknowledged their sins against God and asked for forgiveness. God provided them a solution. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it up high on a pole.

9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. (Num 21:4 NIV)

It was the first time that God gave them an opportunity to undo the effect of their sin while they were still suffering under the consequence of their sins. In all other occasions in the life in wilderness, once God’s punishment came on, though many time the spread of judgment stopped, there was never an occasion the effect of God’s punishment was undone before. Also, the setting of healing demanded their faith in God’s provision for life. In other word, without faith in God, they could not go out where many snakes were hissing on the ground in order to look up the impaled snake high up in the air.

In addition, unlike other similar incidents where God provided water and food as they requested, at this time God did not provided them any water or food. Nevertheless, none of them died because of shortage of water or food. Instead they died of snake bite. In this way God spoke clearly that it was not the shortage of food or water that threatened their lives but being captured by fear of death in disbelief led them to death. Only by faith in the Lord they could overcome the power of death.

Even before snake bite, their spirit was already paralyzed by the power of death, Satanic stung on frailty of their body. This was true reality before they were actually bitten by snake. So snake bite and resulting in death was just a full reflection of what they were under the power of Satan. In other word, God sent venomous snakes so as to make their condition to be fully manifested so that they might know the true reality before God.

In this provision, God showed His willingness to impart the faith in Him to His people. To those who complained and those who looked up the bronze snake, God gave the faith that could count the Lord as the Lord of life and they became worthy and faithful to conquer the land of God’s blessing. In this way the second generation as whole was ready to conquer all the enemies as Joshua and Caleb were.  

It is a renouncing of their belief that life hangs on food and water. At the same time it was a strong affirmation that life is with and in God. They were to trust him only. This is further confirmed by the fact that they did not have much water until they moved on to Beer (21:16) which was father than Aron, a place at least more than a hundred miles away from this place.  By trusting God as the source of life, they overcame the power of death that came upon their body. This gave them exuberant spirit that overwhelmed the hearts of Israel and they were filled with joy (v14-15, 17-18, 27-30). This was the spirit that needed to be able to conquer the land of God’s promise. In this spirit, Israel took the forth coming wars as the Lord’s not theirs. (31:3;

Though what God did to the second generation was temporal and had limited effect, this served as a shadow of what was yet to come in and through Christ. In this way, the bronze snake incident speaks powerfully to the truth that only those who have faith in the Lord, trusting enough to honor the Lord Almighty and the author of life can engage in the wars against enemies and conquer the land of God’s promise. Moses, the best leader of Israel, could not lead his nation to the Promised Land and asked God;

 16 "May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."

God heard Moses prayer and appointed Joshua, one of the two who demonstrated the faith that pleased the Lord. And yet he was looking forward a shepherd who would lead Israel to a lasting victory. While he himself could not lead ahead of Israel, he was looking the one who would go ahead of his people to the land of God’s blessing. Joshua led Israel with such spirit. His leadership could not complete God’s plan to secure the land wholly.

God sent Jesus as the shepherd as Moses asked the Lord. He impaled Satan on the cross and imparted his power to those who believe. This is the faith that God gave to the second generation and the faith that God gave us in Christ.  

In the NT the religious leaders claimed that they were the disciples of Moses. They held the hope to see the restoration of the Kingdom of God, and yet they were never able to fight and to see the Land of God’s promise. 

On the other hand, Paul met the risen Jesus and was filled with power. He was truly filled with power to conquer the world with the Gospel. He made four mission journeys and planted many churches in Asia and Macedonia. His vision for the Heavenly Kingdom was unmistakable:

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2Co 5:7 NIV)

We have an inheritance in the kingdom of God not because what we do or do not do but because of His promise in Christ. Nevertheless, only those who received the power of God who impaled the Satan through Lord Jesus’ death, are able to join in the war against all the enemies and to conquer the land of God’s blessing. God has imparted to us this grace and this power through our Lord Jesus. In this grace and power, I pray that we all may engage in the war against enemies and see the kingdom of God with more clarity and certainty. May God bless you richly in the grace of Jesus!