the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 1 of 5
Numbers 14:11-25
"This people has provoked me", declares the LORD (see vv. 11 and 23). In disparaging the "exceeding good land" (v. 7; cf. Psalms 106:24), it is God in reality who is the object of their provocation and of their ingratitude. How then can we describe the attitude of so many people who despise a gift which is no less than heaven, and whose giver is God Himself?
Moses intervenes again, as in the episode of the golden calf. In no way does he allow himself to be tempted by the offer which would make of him a new leader of a race (v. 12; Exodus 32:10). Putting forward an irrefutable argument, he reminds the LORD that the greatness of His name is at stake in the sight of the nations. Then, giving full value to what he has learnt to know of Him and quoting His own words (Exodus 34:6-7), he reminds Him that He is longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth. He suggests that this is precisely an opportunity for Him to forgive iniquity and transgression. Where no fault exists there is no place for pardon. But the sin of man, mine and yours, has provided God with an opportunity to display His grace. Children of God, we also know this God who forgives. He is our Father. And beside Him we have an Advocate full of love: Jesus our Saviour (1 John 2:1).
