Numbers 14
Summary for Num 14:1-45: 14:1-45 a The testimony of the faithful spies Joshua and Caleb was rejected, and rebellion spread through the entire community. Only Moses’ intervention saved Israel from complete destruction. Those who failed to obey God died during a forty-year wilderness sojourn.Summary for Num 14:3-4: 14:3-4 b The threats about which they complained were real, but the Israelites should have trusted the Lord. In the ancient Near East, women and children were often taken as plunder in the aftermath of battle.
• return to Egypt: How quickly the Israelites forgot their bondage (Exod 2:23-24 c) and the hardship of the wilderness (Num 11:1 d)!
14:5 e Moses and Aaron prostrated themselves out of humility, fear, grief, and anguish.
14:6 f Joshua and Caleb joined in the effort to reverse the rebellion and avert God’s wrath; they tore their clothing in a gesture of grief.
Summary for Num 14:7-9: 14:7-9 g Joshua and Caleb understood that Israel’s lack of courage and their criticism of Moses and Aaron were rebellion against the Lord, and they knew what results this would produce.
• the Lord is with us: This was the source of their confidence (cp. Rom 8:31 h).
14:10 i Joshua and Caleb, with their encouragement and expression of trust in God, brought even more opposition; the protests against the leaders were converted into threats of violence against the faithful spies. All of the Israelites’ objections came to a sudden stop when the Lord’s glorious presence (Hebrew kabod; see Exod 24:15-18 j; Ezek 1 k) appeared at the Tabernacle, the site of divine communication.
14:11 l God marveled that Israel had not yet learned to trust him, even after he had miraculously rescued them from slavery and provided for their needs as they traveled in the wilderness (cp. Deut 4:32-40 m; Matt 11:21 n; Luke 10:13 o).
14:12 p God is patient, but he will not tolerate outright rebellion from his people (cp. Exod 32:7-10 q). The writer of Hebrews refers to this episode in his effort to strengthen the faith of Christians whose trust in the Good News was wavering (Heb 3:7-19 r; 12:3 s, 25 t; cp. Ps 95:8-11 u).
Summary for Num 14:13-25: 14:13-25 v Moses interceded on behalf of his people, reminding God that his reputation was bound up with that of Israel and appealing to his faithfulness.
Summary for Num 14:17-18: 14:17-18 w Moses had used this same argument earlier when he sought pardon for Israel’s rebellion (Exod 32:10-14 x). Moses knew that God would not let the Israelites off without punishment (Deut 7:9-10 y).
14:19 z Israel’s history since leaving Egypt had been a series of transgressions forgiven by the Lord (chs 11–12 aa; Exod 15:22-27 ab; 17:1-7 ac; 32:1-14 ad; Lev 10 ae).
Summary for Num 14:20-25: 14:20-25 af As a result of Moses’ argument, the Lord pardoned Israel’s rebellion and did not obliterate them, but the obstinate adult generation would never see the Promised Land.
14:22 ag The people’s lack of obedience and faith was a refusal to listen to God’s voice, since they were eyewitnesses of the Lord’s glorious presence (see study note on 14:10) and miraculous signs (Exod 4:29-31 ah; 7:1–11:10 ai; 14:15-31 aj; 16:1–17:13 ak).
Summary for Num 14:23-25: 14:23-25 al Having turned their backs on the Promised Land, the Israelites were now ordered to march the other way.
• The Red Sea could refer to bodies of water on either side of the Sinai Peninsula (the Gulf of Aqaba or the Gulf of Suez).
14:28 am Israel’s disobedience brought on the consequences they feared would come from obeying.
14:34 an each day: Cp. 13:25 ao.
• to have me for an enemy: Cp. Ezek 5:8 ap; 21:3 aq.
Summary for Num 14:39-45: 14:39-45 ar The threat of divine punishment for their sins brought grief to the people of Israel, but their hearts were still rebellious and they again disobeyed the Lord’s command (14:25 as). The promise of God’s presence had been the basis for Caleb and Joshua’s initial confidence (14:9 at), but God would not fight alongside the Israelites until all the rebels had died.
14:43 au The Lord will abandon you because you have abandoned the Lord: Moses’ prediction summarizes the whole chapter.
14:44 av The Ark symbolized God’s presence and blessings (cp. 1 Sam 4:1-11 aw).
14:45 ax Hormah means “destruction” in Hebrew (see 21:1-3 ay).
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