Following God Into the Wilderness

Chapter Four – A Most Rebellious People

The children of Israel had shown themselves to be a most obstinate and rebellious people toward the things of God (Ex 32:9. 33:3, 5, 34:9, Deut 9:6, 13, 10:16). The trials of the harsh wilderness had revealed that their true hearts were on themselves rather than God. The Lord brings us through ever increasing and difficult situations (obstacles) on the way to His rest. These are designed to destroy confidence in the flesh and produce faith and trust in God so that we might enter in. One can only enter into God’s rest through faith and obedience. God had told Israel: Deuteronomy 11:22-23, “For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.” An entire generation could not seem to part with the self seeking and idolatrous ways of Egypt, and thus sincerely surrender to God. This should be a great lesson for those who “profess” Christ, but largely live as the world (i.e. Egypt). The children of Israel journeyed on from mount Horeb unto the border of the Promised Land. They could not enter in because of unbelief which always manifests in the form of disobedience to God. There were obstacles in the path – great and powerful nations, walled cities and giants. They had no trust in the God who had delivered them from and destroyed Egypt. They had no faith in the Lord who provided for their every need. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him (Ps 2:12, 31:14) – cursed are those who do not. If God said enter in, they refused. If God said do not enter in, then they entered. The rebellious at heart always resists the purposes of God in favor of their own way. When the people faced great and seemingly insurmountable difficulties they did not put trust in God, but rather blamed the Lord and considered Him their opponent – they lashed out. The people said, “Oh that we had died in the wilderness.” Therefore, God gave them their desire – He granted them their way. Man’s way always produces death and God said, So be it! This entire people were sent back into the wilderness until an entire generation (twenty years old and upward) died off (wandering about their own way). God allowed a small faithful remnant of that generation (two men) and the children to later enter the Promised Land.  Jesus had said we must become as children to enter the kingdom of God (Mt 18:3). Children are trusting, obedient and faithful to their parents (i.e. God). Children must be trained in the way they should go such that they will not depart from it (i.e God’s lessons in the wilderness, Pv 22:6). We only enter into the kingdom of God through faith which always manifests as obedience.

Numbers 9:15, “And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.” The cloud represented God’s presence, and God was in the cloud (Ex 13:21 , 19:9, 40:34, Lk 9:34 -35). God dwelt among the people. Exodus 25:8, 29:45, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.” Numbers 9:16, “So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.” God dwelt among His people day and night. The cloud provided a covering for God’s glory which no man can look upon. Exodus 33:20, “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” Numbers 9:17-18, “And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.” This is an incredibly important concept that man must learn. God leads and man follows – so simple, yet so misunderstood. God is the authority who sets the path or course, determines the direction and makes provision along the way. The Lord leads and is in charge. Those who follow must be submitted and obedient to God. Those who follow need only to trust and rely on the Lord and obey His direction along the way. Those who follow must humble themselves and receive what God provides with all thankfulness (Ps 100:4). The follower surrenders his will to the Leader. The ones who do not want to follow are in rebellion to the Lord. These want to be their own authority and seek their own way. Their objective is not the same as God’s (even though they often say it is) and they are going in a different (opposite) direction. They do not know where they are going, but are sure they know the way (confusion). Those who wander away from God’s leading become lost and perish in the harsh wilderness. The condemnation is that they perish due to their own freely chosen stubborn and rebellious way. These seek after what they want and when they want it. They want immediate satisfaction of the desires of the flesh (lusts) – they serve the flesh. These cannot be pleased unless they are doing the leading, yet they do not have the capacity for either. The wise learn that self is a great impediment (obstacle, barrier, hindrance) in the wilderness and that strength is gained through weakness to the flesh and faith in God. The carcass of a fool will drop along the way. Numbers 9:21-23, “And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” Day or night; month or year; rain or shine; we are to serve the Lord. Jesus is our life twenty-four hours a day every day. We do not serve the Lord at our convenience, but at His every command.

The Two Paths (or Ways)

From the beginning, God said if you transgress My will and authority (Gen 2:17), “thou will surely die” and the devil said (Gen 3:4), “ye shall not surely die.” These are two completely opposite positions (resultant ways or paths of life). God states, you will obey Him and the devil says, you do not have to – one position is in rebellion to the other (as is the devil to God). Man will live his life in conformance to one or the other of these statements and the consequences will be eternal. Since the fall of man (transgressing of God’s will), there has existed two paths. Throughout the Word of God these paths are known as either: the narrow and broad ways; light and darkness; faith and unbelief; God’s way and man’s way; Spirit and the flesh; sheep and the goats; wheat and the tares; the wise and the fool; and the contrite and froward (discussed in the Conclusion of this book). The two paths are the same, just characterized differently. The wise should ponder the two paths and consider which they are truly traveling. It is also very important to note that many will “religiously” sugar coat or throw a sheep skin over the devil’s way (lie) in order to “Christianize” it (Pv 17:15, 24:24, Mt 7:15). This means that they will have a form of religion that professes Jesus Christ and appears righteous, but allows one to “walk” in his “own way” supposedly with Christ’s approval or by God’s grace (Mt 7:22-24, Lk 13:27, Rm 8:8, 1 Cor 15:34, Gal 2:17, 6:8, 2 Tim 3:1-9, 1 Jn 2:4, Jude 1:4). These are false prophets and you must beware (2 Cor 11:13-15). This is the deception that the devil is working in you through your lusts. These men drive the flock away from God (Jer 23:2, 14). He that despiseth God’s ways (commands) shall die (Pv 19:16). How can a man understand his own way (Pv 20:24)? Jeremiah 10:23-24, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.” Psalm 17:5, “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” The paragraphs that follow will briefly consider each of the expressions of the two “ways” or “paths.”

The narrow and broad paths - Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Since the strong nature of fallen man is to seek his own way, most are on the broad path which leads to destruction. The broad path “glitters” of all that appeals to one’s flesh (pleasures, entertainments, comforts, satisfactions). The broad path is the equivalent to the fruit of the forbidden tree – “it is pleasant to the eyes” (Gen 3:6) – to be desired. Most are drawn to this path and find it agreeable. Jesus is the strait gate to the narrow path (Jn 10:7-9). Psalms 118:19-20, “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.” The narrow path is plain and very unappealing to the flesh. The narrow path would be equivalent to the fruit of the tree of life – unattractive (ordinary, plain) and not attractive to the flesh. Those seeking the things of the flesh will be blinded to the fact that the narrow path is even there. The narrow path leads to God and only those who come out of the rebellion (nature of the devil’s lie) and are “born again” through Christ (come under God’s authority and take on the Lord’s nature) will even see it (Jn 3:3). This path will cause great difficulty for the flesh. One must override (by faith) the desires of the flesh (in repentance) to even see it (Jn 3:3). Psalm 27:11, “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” Those who choose this path must look beyond the beauty that the flesh seeks and see the great value which will be realized only through sacrifice, denial and loss in the flesh – it goes against the reasoning of the flesh. The strait gate to the narrow path is only entered by total surrender of one’s own will or “way” to Jesus and total obedience to Christ’s will (commandments, Mk 12:29-31) or “Way.” This does not mean some mental identification such as some superficial sinner’s prayer type of confession (Heb 4:2). Say this prayer and “ye shall surely not die” (Gen 3:4-5). This means a total and complete yielding of one’s entire life as demonstrated through one’s actions (actions suitable for the repentance you have confessed, Acts 26:20) – a life of faith. This is a total change of character that will be noticeably (evidently, distinctly, clearly) manifested in your life. In other words, not just a religious observance. Few will find this path because this will be a life long journey of “following” in the steps of another (Christ). Righteousness sets us in the way of His steps (Ps 85:13). Most are too busy forging their own paths. Jesus “goeth before” and those who love Him follow (Jn 10:4, Mk 10:32). This means that this path is set of another’s doing. Jesus forged the path through absolute submission and obedience to the Father’s will. The Father was well pleased (Mt 3:17, 12:18, 17:5). The path was made at great cost – woe to him that seeks another. This is the direction one is going (toward God) when one follows this path and it leads to life eternal; dwelling with God. This path is very arduous (by divine design) and will certainly deny the flesh. This path will put the flesh in its place – in the dust. The flesh is temporal and does not profit (Jn 6:63). One must die to self to even walk upon it. One walks as Jesus walked and through the ruggedness of the path is conformed to Christ’s image along the way. Seeking one’s own way will quickly lead off of this path and onto the broad path – the fleshly eye is drawn by the glitter. Not “following” Jesus is “walking away” (opposite) from Him. Each step is one farther away, culminating in total and eternal separation. This is by God’s pattern to determine the true intent of one’s heart. Woe to them who leave the path of uprightness to walk in paths of darkness (Pv 2:13). Here is wisdom: Proverb 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Jesus is worthy to follow because He was tried and found to be sure and true (Is 28:16).

Light and darkness – Jesus is “the way” and is characterized as being “The Light” and there is no darkness in Him (He did God’s will, didn’t seek His own way, 1 Jn 1:5). Darkness is the devil’s work, which are all things resultant from “The Lie” (Eph 2:2). Light is opposite from darkness as is God’s way from the devil’s. Therefore, men walking in their way (seeking their will or flesh) are in darkness. Due to man’s disobedience the whole world lieth in darkness (1 Jn 5:19). However, God’s light always overcomes the darkness (Jn 1:5) – when light is present, darkness flees. Ecclesiastes 2:13, “Then I saw that wisdom (the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom) excelleth folly (foolishness – seeking your own way), as far as light excelleth darkness.” Proverbs 4:18-20, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” However, Proverb 4:19, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” After man had transgressed God’s will in Eden, he walked in the darkness of his “own way.” Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” The darkness they walked in was their “own path” which is in the “shadow of death.” Your way is just a step from eternal and complete separation from the Lord God Almighty. The gates of death are opening for you (Job 38:17). This gate is the opposite from Jesus who is the strait gate leading to life. Everything about Christ is righteous (including His sceptre, Heb 1:8) and we enter in through gates of righteousness (Ps 119:19). Jesus brought hope that we could come out of “our way” and into “Christ’s path.” Jesus said: John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” So those who follow Christ will not abide in their “own way” which is man’s rebellion against God. John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” We must follow Jesus on that narrow path that He forged, otherwise we walk in our “own” darkness (Jude 1:12-13). However, few will travel the narrow path, rather choosing their “own way,” but why? John 3:19-20, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” These actually prefer their own path (Pv 15:9). Those who love darkness are not necessarily doing vile things such as murder and adultery, but rather just seeking their own will daily. However, seeking your own way does lead to all manner of sin. 1 John 1:6-7, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another (Christ and you), and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” These are content to remain in the rebellion under the authority of the devil via the devil’s lie. Job 24:13, “They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.” AND Job 12:25, “They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.” They behold obscurity (shadows, muriness); for brightness, but walk in darkness (Is 59:9). These may be adamant that they know the way and are walking it, while professing Christ as they go, but they still walk in their own paths. Only the Lord is our light (path) and salvation from our own darkness (way, Ps 21:7). Psalm 36:9, “For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” For those who choose their “own way,” great peril awaits at the end thereof (Rm 2:5-6, 8-9, Eph 4:18-19). Ephesians 5:14, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Lastly, a special note to the religious man: Luke 11:35, “Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Slightly restated: Take heed that the path you are following be not “your own.” Take heed that there be not great darkness within you (Mt 6:23).

Faith verses unbelief - Faith is walking by God’s direction. God cannot be approached in any other way (Heb 11:6). Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Living by faith means applying it to every area of your live (being a doer, Js 1:23-24). Faith does not walk by sight (2 Cor 5:7, Heb 11:1) – but by total trust and reliance on that which is beyond self (God alone, Gal 2:20, Ps 2:12). Faith bypasses the flesh because it cannot be understood through human reasoning and emotion (is as foolishness, 1 Cor 1:18, 2:14) or perceived by the five senses (touch, sight, smell, hearing, taste). Faith is not exercised by “what is pleasant to the eyes.” Faith often requires denial and sacrifice to the things of the flesh. The flesh will not like the notion of forsaking anything - faith denies the flesh its control. Therefore, to follow the flesh or “your way” is unbelief. Unbelief is rejection of Christ’s gospel by not actually living it – applying it. Mere profession of Christ or words are hollow and require no sacrifice (Js 2:19), but actions bring forth sacrifice and fruit and establish the heart’s intent (Jn 15:2). If the flesh or unbelief is strong, then faith is weak (and vice versa, Rm 4:20). The things that the flesh seeks (sees) are temporal and passing; but the things that are known (unfolded, revealed) through faith are eternal (2 Cor 4:18). Faith will save us and unbelief will surely cause us to perish. Hebrews 3:19, “So we see that they could not enter in (to God’s promises) because of unbelief.” You cannot enter the strait gate (Jesus) through unbelief (your way, religious or not). The narrow path is walked by faith. Faith is not religious observance, but rather trust in God everyday, which goes beyond your abilities. Faith is to cast away those things in your life that oppose (and shame) God so that you may bring glory to God. Faith is standing for truth (even if alone) when everyone else doesn’t. Faith is denying the flesh its desires (pleasures, entertainments) so that your heart and mind can be stayed upon the Lord. Through our faith, God divinely influences our hearts (i.e. grace, Eph 2:8) and this is manifested in our actions to the saving of our souls. Faith is saying, “Thy will be done” no matter what God directs or brings. Faith doesn’t question, it does. Faith pleases God. Those seeking their way or path say, “My will be done.” This is prideful, arrogant and rebellious to God. Those that walk in their way often ask God (through prayer) to bless “their way” – they want God to be their servant. Those that are contentious (headstrong) and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness (their way, doeth evil) can expect to receive indignation, wrath, tribulation and anguish from God (Rm 2:8-9).

God’s way and man’s way - God’s way is only followed by yielding totally to Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke 10:27). Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” - to cleave to Him in obedience (Deut 13:4)! This is how things were prior to man’s fall and this is how things will be eternally forever more. If you are not living such a life now, what makes you think you will be in eternity? If you are not obedient now, does not the Creator of all things know that you will have no such desire later? Man’s way (seeking self or your own way) could also be characterized as “seeking after the imaginations of your own heart” or “doing what is right in your own eyes.” The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord (Pv 15:26). Man has continued to follow his way since being put out of Eden. Consider the fruit of man’s doings: Genesis 6:5-6, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” God was so grieved that He decided to completely destroy man in a flood (Gen 6:7). Fortunately, Noah found grace in God’s sight and he and his offspring were preserved. Genesis 6:12-13, “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” The same can certainly be said of the time in which we live – things couldn’t be much worse. Man has almost exclusively followed “his way” since the transgression in Eden. This has been unacceptable and abominable to God. Man’s way has revealed itself time and again such as through the tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9); evil nations like the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and the Jebusites (Deut 7:1-8, 9:4); or in wicked cities like Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 13:13, 18:20, 19:13, 2 Pt 2:6). God has appealed to man over and over to turn from “his way” and to submit and obey the Lord. Isaiah 65:2, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good; after their own thoughts.” The Lord also said, “Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.” Man continually choses his own way because it is in his very nature (the lie he accepted to be as gods). Therefore, man never sees anything wrong in what he does. Proverb 16:25, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man (his way), but the end thereof are the ways of death.” AND Proverb 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts (intent, who is seeking God).” When man commits abomination through “his ways,” he is not ashamed, neither does he blush (Jer 8:12) because he does not delight in God’s Word (seeking and living in God’s way); for it is a reproach to him (Jer 6:10). Man has historically always sought to place his will or way above God’s. This has been shown (revealed) over and over again in God’s Word. This is easily proven by looking at the world around us. Psalm 128:1, “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways (also Pv 3:6).”

Spirit and the flesh – Jesus has given the Holy Spirit to those who will follow Him. The Spirit leads us down the narrow path and teaches us along the way. Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” The flesh is the nature of man that seeks “self” or it’s “own way.” The Spirit and the flesh are contrary (opposed) to one another (Gal 5:17). Obviously you cannot seek your way and also seek God’s way simultaneously – they are always opposed. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” To walk after the Spirit is to walk the narrow path, living completely to the will of God (Mk 3:35) having no confidence in the flesh (Php 3:3). The narrow path is contrary to the flesh as is the Spirit. To walk after the flesh is to walk as you see fit under your own authority – your thoughts, opinions, sentiments, desires, and imaginations. The Lord searches the hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts (1 Chr 28:9). The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him (2 Chr 16:9). To profess Jesus, yet not walk as He walked (to be religious) is to be condemned (while being blind and deceived, Mt 7:21). If we claim to live in the Spirit, then we must walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25). Romans 8:5, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” We will either travel one path or the other, but not both (simultaneously). God is not ridiculed concerning those who think they can alternate back and forth between the paths. Galatians 6:7-8, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” If you live to the flesh (the devil’s lie), then God’s original truth stands: “Thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17, Ez 33:14). The way we do things will reveal which path we are on (Mt 7:16, 20) – what we mind (give place to, seek/serve). The fleshly mind (way of doing things) is enmity (deep hatred, as between enemies, bitter attitude toward) with God: Romans 8:8, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” If we have Christ’s Spirit we will walk accordingly, if we do not then we are none of His (Rm 8:9, 1 Jn 4:10). Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh (your way), ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body (die to self or your way, Col 3:5-6), ye shall live.” So we must travel God’s path and have no confidence in our way (flesh, Php 3:3). Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit (God’s narrow path), and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (man’s wrongful way). 1 John 2:17, “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof (ways of man): but he that doeth the will of God (God’s way) abideth for ever.” Here is some wise advice: earnestly seek the Lord through His Word, Spirit and prayer; then carefully examine your life (ponder) and have eyes to see the reality of how these things must apply to your specific actions.

Sheep and the goats – Sheep are gentle, humble and loving by nature and follow where they are led. Sheep follow when called! Goats are gruff, assertive, ornery (irritable, crabby, grouchy) and like to go about their own way. Goats must be driven! Sheep represent those submitted to Christ. Goats represent those submitted to the devil. John 10:3-4, 7-8, 14, 26-27, “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name (relationship, Jn 14:21, 23), and leadeth them out (Psalm chap. 23). And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them (Christ came and led by example, also Mk 10:32), and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice (relationship, obedience, Jn 12:26). Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep (Christ’s authority). All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers (anything we put ahead of Christ robs us of our life in Him): but the sheep did not hear them (our eyes must be on Jesus). I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine (precious close relationship). But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you (those who seek their own path and do not follow, but think they are His sheep). My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (this is all day, everyday). Jesus looks for every lost sheep: Luke 15:4, “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” The goats are not submitted to the shepherd, just themselves and their endless lusts – they eat anything – even a big fat lie! Matthew 25:34, 41, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand (sheep), Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand (goats), Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”  If serving God seems compulsory, restrictive or like a burden, then you are being driven like a goat. Those who are driven will be quick to compromise or find a less restrictive path. Those who are driven will only want to do the minimum that seems to be required. Those who are driven will always wonder, “what’s in it for me (Job 21:15, 35:3).” Those who are driven may do things in secret. Those who are driven find comfort in numbers. Those who are driven will at best grudgingly follow God. Those who are driven will seek a multitude of counsels until they hear what they are looking for (Ps 5:10). Hosea 14:9, “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.”

Wheat and the tares – The wheat grain represents the good seed of the harvest that one expects to reap from one’s efforts. This is the fruit resulting from the life of the plant that is fit for use (life giving). Tares are the weeds that grow up amongst the wheat and their lives have no redeeming value, and they actually hinder the growth and productivity of the wheat. Jesus told a parable concerning wheat and tares (Mt 13:24-43). A parable is a simple story dealing with a very real circumstance (situation, fact, event) in which the principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. In this story, a man (representing Jesus) sows wheat into a field (the world). His enemy (representing the devil) comes and sows tares among his wheat (the devil’s children). The wheat and the tares look alike until the fruit appears (Mt 13:26). This is how you know them: by their fruits (Mt 7:20). The fruits are what they produce in their life. Tares soak up the water and use the nutrients and spread all about seeking their way, but produce nothing useful, just more of their kind (they transgress). The man’s servants (angels) inform him of the situation and request to remove the weeds. He tells them to let them grow together until the end of the harvest, lest uprooting them, they should hurt the wheat. Until such time, God sends rain and sun on the good and the bad, the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45). At harvest time, the tares are gathered first and put into bundles and burned in the fire (eternal torment, Rev 20:11-15); then the wheat is gathered to the barn (dwelling with God, Mt 13:30). Matthew 13:41-43, “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

The wise and the fool – The wise man will fear the Lord (seeks to know God and live in His will). The fool will seek his folly (own way) - the foolishness of fools is folly (Pv 14:24, 26:11). Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The wise man receiveth correction and changes accordingly (all along the way – conforms to Christ’s image, Eph 4:15). Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” AND Proverbs 8:33, “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not (also Pv 10:17, 18:15, 19:20, 22:17).” AND Proverbs 15:31, “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.” The fool lashes out at the one giving correction and justifies his actions (to his own blindness and folly). Proverbs 9:7-8, “He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” AND Proverbs 15:12, “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” AND Proverbs 17:10, “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” The fool cannot receive instruction because he considers it an affront to the thing he loves most – self. A wise man has died to self and graciously receives instruction as to how to please the one he loves most – Jesus. Proverbs 9:9, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” The wise man will utilize such knowledge to change for the better to please his Lord. A wise man will consider his ways and embrace that which is of God. Psalms 119:59, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” Knowledge (truth of God’s Word) will be wasted on a fool, he has no desire to change. Proverbs 23:9, “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” Many reading this book will disregard wisdom in favor of their own way (Pv 27:22). The wise do not cast their pearls (truths) before a fool (swine) lest he trample them under feet and turn upon you and cause much distress (Mt 7:6). This is why God sends blindness upon those who do not seek His ways. Proverbs 10:8, “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.” Those who are wise will receive the truth of God’s Word (particularly as it condemns their flesh) and will change themselves to conform to it. The fool will not receive the truth of God’s Word, but will rather conform the Word to suit himself (twist scripture, justify self, compromise). Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes (always): but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” The wise will understand the merit of sacrifice and self denial, but the fool will take the path of least resistance (comfort of the flesh). The wise are prudent (foresee and avoid evil) and are careful in their way. The fool seeks his will wherever it will take him. Proverbs 18:2, “A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself (seek his own way).” Proverbs 28:26, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” The wise will examine their heart and know the truth (2 Cor 13:5). Proverbs 14:16, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” Proverbs 13:20, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 15:24, “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.” This means that the wise will seek God with all his heart and thus go to be with the Lord throughout eternity (avoids separation to hell). Proverbs 3:35, “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” Shame is eternal separation into torment of soul.

Jesus leads!

Jesus came to the earth and forged the way back to God through the wilderness. The path was laid down through Christ’s totally yielding to the will of the Father through perfect obedience (Heb 10:7). John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” Jesus walked in humbleness as a servant and died to self and the things of the world (Rm 15:3). Christ spoke the Father’s Words and did the Father’s work (Mk 10:45, Lk 22:7, Jn 3:34, 4:34, 5:17, 19-20, 30, 36, 7:16-17, 8:28-29, 38, 54-55, 9:4, 12:49-50, 14:31, 17:4-5, Php 2:7-8, 2 Cor 8:9). Jesus withstood all the temptations of the devil by denying self (dying to the flesh) and surrendering to the will of the Father (Mt 4:1-10). Jesus was led of the Spirit in the way He should go (Mt 4:1, Lk 4:1). In other words, Jesus came to the earth as a man and was then led of God back to the Lord through His obedience to God. Christ did all things perfectly and His life was found acceptable by the Father (Mt 3:17, 12:18, 17:5, Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22). Jesus then laid down His perfect life as recompense for the sin of the world so that all men could follow Him. Colossians 1:20, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Jesus never transgressed the will of God and thus had no iniquity or rebellion in Him (Heb 4:15, 1 Pt 2:21-22). Death is the result of transgression of the will of God (Rm 5:12. 6:23). Therefore, death had no power of Christ (Rm 6:9). However, Jesus took on the sin of the world and suffered death for all men to bring reconciliation to the Father (Heb 2:9). Jesus restored that which He took not away (Ps 23:3, 69:4). Jesus was the atonement to make peace with God and allow others to follow Him back to God (Ps 85:10, Rm 5:1, 11). 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This means that we cannot use human faculties (Fleshly senses, ability or reasoning).

Let us consider what it means to follow Jesus through Christ’s own analogy (similarity, likeness, comparison, correlation, equivalence, representation, resemblance, parallel). John 10:2-3, “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” The shepherd is the authority. The shepherd and the sheep have a relationship, for Christ knows those who are His by name. The sheep respond to the will of the shepherd and follow. John 10:4, “And when he (Jesus) putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” Notice that Christ “goes before” the sheep and the sheep obediently (submissively, unquestionably) follow as they recognize the voice of their Master. John 10:5, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” The stranger is clearly the devil who beckons the sheep to transgress the will of the shepherd and submit to his rebellion – to come off the path. The stranger is as a wolf who calls to the sheep to leave the security of the shepherd. When the sheep leave the path of the shepherd they are quickly taken by the wolf who comes to kill and devour (1 Pt 5:8). Christ provided further clarification for those who could not discern. John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.” This statement clearly establishes the authority of Christ. No man enters the narrow path that leads to eternal life without first passing through the strait gate which is Jesus (Mt 7:13-14). No one enters that strait gate without sincere repentance and total surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. John 10:8-9, “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The thieves and robbers are anything that you value in your life more than Christ. This especially includes “self” and seeking “your way.” This robs you of any life you may otherwise have in Christ. The true sheep will surrender to Jesus and not seek after those things (of the flesh) that oppose Him. This is why Jesus said: Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” We must deny self (our will) and take up that cross which represents death to self (Rm 6:6); then we humbly and obediently follow (as a sheep). Conversely: Luke 14:27, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” This is stated as plain as it gets. Jesus stated the first great commandment as loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. This is complete surrender with no room for self. This is a forsaking of all that is you. Luke 14:33, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” To hold onto anything of self is to not completely surrender to the lord and thus not give all your heart, mind, soul and strength. There can be no areas of your life off limits at anytime. Most people retain areas of their lives that they are not willing to release. A little self-will is the leaven that will corrupt you. When man submits to the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost will work to tear down these areas of self to conform you to the will of God. The flesh will rise up and must be overcome.

Numbers 9:19, “And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.” When the Lord was not leading the children of Israel to some new place then they were to be faithful in their prior direction. God was to always be their life’s priority above all things. When we submit to God, we will be led as the Lord wills. We are always to remain faithful in those things the Lord has already revealed to us. We always obey the Lord in our daily lives whether moving forward or tarrying in one place. If the way seems unclear, we are to be steadfast in our devotion to God and patiently wait for the Lord to move forward. We just follow! The details and direction are not for us to be concerned with. Numbers 9:20-23, “And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” Now the flesh does not like that which it cannot control. The flesh wants to know where it is going, when, what its benefit will be, and what it will encounter along the way. The flesh wants to navigate or control the course. God denies the flesh through the faith He requires in us. To obey God is to die to the flesh and be blind to it (2 Cor 5:7). The flesh would never follow God into the wilderness. The flesh would much rather prefer to stay in Egypt. The fastest way through the wilderness is complete surrender and obedience to God. The flesh hinders and slows the journey. The flesh will cause many to linger in the wilderness their whole life such that they drop before the finish.

Complaining

Numbers 10:33-34, “And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.” The Lord is orchestrating the movement of the people according to His will. Note that the Lord makes the preparations and the people just obediently follow. The Lord does not help those who help themselves (self-sufficiency), but rather those who patiently wait upon and trust in Him. God may require an action on your part (obedience), but far too often man exerts his self-will in presumption of God’s. Numbers 11:1-3, “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.” The Lord always provided for this people (in His timing and way), yet they were continually rebellious and ungrateful. The people were at best reluctantly (halfheartedly, grudgingly, unenthusiastically) following the Lord and this was most certainly not what God desired. God had delivered the people from great bondage and misery, destroyed their enemies and provided for all their needs. Further, God was leading them to a wonderful land that was promised their father Abraham (Heb 11:8-10). Abraham died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and was persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that he was a stranger and pilgrim on the earth (Heb 11:13). Now his descendants stood to receive all things. Yet all the people could think about were themselves with no real love, faith, trust and obedience toward God as Abraham had. This was a most rebellious, stiff-necked, hardhearted (callous, unfeeling, hard), impudent (presumptuous, impertinent, rude, disrespectful), impenitent (unrepentant, unremorseful, shameless), stubborn (self-willed), obstinate, and pertinacious people – they are sottish (stupid) children. Jeremiah 4:22, “For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” They may have been the physical descendants of Abraham, but they certainly didn’t do the works of Abraham (Jn 8:39). They represented the nature of man since the fall in Eden. Nothing has changed in man, even today there is absolutely no difference (religious or not). Numbers 11:4-6, “And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.” God had brought about a great deliverance of the people out of Egypt, yet they continually looked back with regret of having left. Such unthankfulness and ingratitude (lack of appreciation, Rm 1:21)! They were now embracing the things of Egypt (rebellion, idolatry, self) and summarily (swiftly, abruptly, immediately) rejecting the things of God. Consider their attitude toward God’s life giving provision (manna). Such disdain (reject as unworthy) for God! Their whole focus was on themselves and not God. This is such a clear example of seeking self over God. This is raising self above the most High. This is the nature of the devil. Isaiah 14:12-15, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” The devil’s whole focus was on himself and what he desired. God casts such a one to hell (garbage pit). God was not well pleased with this people (1 Cor 10:5). Will God be well pleased with one who professes Christ, but lives opposed to Him? The children of Israel were poor in spirit toward the things of God, desiring rather the things of the flesh. They bemoaned (bewailed, lamented, mourned) the lusts of the flesh. Jesus said we must do just the opposite to inherit the kingdom of God. We must be poor in spirit regarding the flesh and mourn our transgressions and sin toward God. Matthew 5:3-8, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Similarly Jesus said: Luke 6:20-21, “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.” The people seeking the opposite of what God desired. They desired to be poor toward the things of God and rich toward the flesh. They cried and hungered to satisfy the flesh. These rebellious ones wanted to be full and joyful in their flesh aside from God’s provision and will. Christ said: Luke 6:24-25, “Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.” Jesus also later added: Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”

The children of Israel were delighted to follow God as long as the Lord was serving them in their needs. They were not at all delighted to follow the Lord when He required them to deny self and be obedient to His direction and leading. Similarly today, man will follow a Jesus who only requires a quick repeated little prayer and offers unlimited mercy and forgiveness. However, not many are so willing to follow the true Jesus who requires self denial (Mt 10:39, 16:25, Mk 8:34-35, Lk 9:23-24), forsaking of sin (darkness, Jn 3:19), sacrifice, suffering (Mt 10:22, 24:9, Lk 21:17, Jn 17:14, 2 Tim 3:12) and reproach (Heb 13:13). These will simply redefine Jesus into a Lord who allows them to pursue the things of the flesh (lusts). Jesus says: John 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Christ went the way of the Spirit and not the flesh. Those who worship Christ in the flesh are not following. Those who seek their way after the flesh are walking away from God on a broad path that leads to destruction (Mt 7:13). They may be as religious as they can be, but are still walking away from God seeking their own. These will often say, “If God will serve me, let Him follow me and Him will I honor.” If you are comfortable in the flesh, then you are most likely not following.

Numbers 11:10-15, “Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.” The cares of the people were a tremendous weight for one man to carry, but God had provided the strength and ability. Even Moses had his limits when sufficient pressure came to bear on his flesh. Moses capitulates in a time of weakness (the relentless complaints and dissatisfaction of the people). Had the burden been less or greater, Moses would still have required the strength from above. Jesus bore the cares and sins of the people perfectly. Consider: Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus takes away our heavy burdens and provides rest for our souls. Jesus took on a tremendous burden: Isaiah 53:11-12, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Travail is to labor with pain and severe toil (to exert strength with pain and fatigue of body or mind for a continuance or duration) – the burden of many troubles. Truly Christ hath interceded for many, bearing their burdens and reconciling with God. Many a man followed Adam away from God in transgression and rebellion (Rm 5:12). Christ offers to many a man to follow Him back to God in reconciliation, mercy and forgiveness. Romans 5:19, “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (also Rm 5:15, 17-18).”

Lusting

Numbers 11:18-20, “And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?” The Lord God gives them their request, but turns their blessing into a curse. They seek the things of the flesh and God gives it to them until they are physically sick from it. The people loathed (despised) God, so the Lord will make the object of their desire equally loathsome. The people considered deliverance from Egypt to be an opportunity for their flesh. God’s intent was to draw the people to Himself in faith (love, trust, obedience, surrender, devotion) and then bless them in their obedience (Promised Land flowing with milk and honey). God places things in correct order before He renders the blessing. This order has man submitted and obedient to the will of God and thus God provides for man’s needs. Rebellious man would have God submitted and obedient to meet his needs with no real submission to God’s authority – man wants to be as a god (Gen 3:5). Numbers 11:21-23, “And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.” Man must never doubt the ability of the Creator of all things to bring His Word to pass (Is 45:12, Col 1:16). God has never shown Himself to be unable to perform that which He has said. Moses tried to reason through his flesh (slaughter cattle, gather fish), and God will not be limited by the flesh. Ours is just to submit and obey, the Lord will do the providing – trust and obey for there is no other way. Numbers 11:31-34, “And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.” The people went out and greedily (insatiably, ravenously) hoarded (to lay up a large quantity) as many quails as they could catch for themselves to fulfill their lusts (longing desire, eagerness to possess and enjoy). Ten homers translates into ten heaps (accumulated mass or pile). The Lord was very displeased with their gluttony which led to surfeiting (to overfeed such as to produce sickness). The people had manna, so the quails were not so much consumed out of need, but rather wantonness (inability to restrain oneself). The people took the provision of the Lord and turned it to a great evil. The flesh left to its own devices will always SELF-destruct. God had said He would provide flesh for a month, but this unbelieving people considered it to be but for the present. Those who take such great joy in the lusts of the flesh will surely face the same judgment of death as was visited upon this people. Restraint, self control and patience are the characteristics of the Spirit, but none of these were manifested here. The wanton, greedy, and gluttonous were destroyed from among the people. Psalms 78:26-31, “He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.” The wilderness will separate those seeking the flesh from those seeking God. Some seek their lusts to the full. These rebels were destroyed from among the people. Similarly, Jesus is coming back to this earth for the harvest (Rev 14:15). The good fruit (faithful) will be gathered and the bad destroyed (Mt 13:30, 41-43, 24:31, Mk 13:27, Lk 3:17, Jn 15:8).

Family Troubles

When any sincere and true man of God comes speaking God’s Words (Jn 3:34), his authority and purpose will be questioned by those who are not willing to receive the message (usually the religious ones, Jn 13:20). Numbers 12:1-2, “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.” Moses’ authority was being questioned with the justification being a presumed personal fault. After all, how could Moses truly represent God if he is guilty of whatever the “ascribed (sought after) fault” may be? If he is not representing God, then his message and direction must be wrong. The purpose of this dispute was to exalt one’s self to gain authority (hath not God spoken through us) and also relegate (demote, lessen in importance) the position of Moses; and downgrade his message to just another opinion. The intent was that casting doubt upon Moses’ leadership and authority (Acts 7:35) would gain the desired position while also redirecting the course or “Way” (direction) in which things were proceeding. The direction (or message) was from God and was not being received (embraced to be followed) and this was what was being brought into question. Throughout the history of the children of Israel God sent prophets with messages that were constantly questioned and rejected by those who were not willing to receive them. The messenger’s authority was always questioned and dealt with in an inappropriate manner. The content of God’s messages were always rejected by self-seeking man. Numbers 12:3, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Moses was humble and totally submitted to God. Moses was a true servant both to God and the people – never Lording over others. Moses had put his very salvation on the line (Ex 32:32) while interceding for the transgressions of the people. God’s authority is never gained (usurped, assumed) through exaltation (pride, arrogance, self-seeking), but is rather given through submission and obedience to God’s will. Moses was faithful in all his house (Heb 3:2). He did what God required of him and often suffered the rebuke of the people because of it. There are two types of people. Those who seek the flesh, who always reject the things of God. These whine and complain and are never satisfied (Num 11:1, 10, 33, 14:37). The second group are those who seek God through the Spirit (Jn 7:38-39). These are submitted, make necessary sacrifices and proclaim (and thus live): “Thy will be done.” Numbers 12:4-8, “And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” God Himself will set things right when others seek to destroy the message He has placed in His true servants. God upholds those who are faithful to Him (Is 41:10). Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Notice that Moses’ submission and faithfulness to God gained him relationship and special place with God. God knew Moses by name (Ex 33:12, 17), and this is intimacy. Moses was allowed to see God’s similitude (but not His face). The righteousness (truth of the message) is of God, and not the man speaking it. The speaker is just submitted to God to do His will – at whatever personal cost. Those who do not receive God’s messages, surely do not know Him (Jn 13:20). Religious men (those seeking God their way, not submitted, fleshly) may question the authority of a true man of God; they may reject and invalidate the message; they may seek to gain authority; and they may justify their “own way” as being more true and righteous. One thing that these men cannot do (in such a rebellious condition) is have that intimate relationship with God. Their authority is their own and not from God. Their message is their own and not from God. The “way” they are leading is false and opposite (or away from) God. Their messages are only validated (authorized, confirmed, endorsed) by the desire of the flesh and the rebellious nature of man. Their wrongfulness will result in confusion. One thing they cannot take (make their own) is the truth and authority behind the messenger (that being the power of God). Moses submitted, obeyed and was led by God. Moses was a servant to all. God honored such faithfulness through the mighty miracles and workings He wrought through Moses. God gave Moses his authority. The works that Moses (or any true man of God) did bore witness that he was sent of God (Jn 5:36, 10:25). Those who are self-seeking and fleshly will not be able to do such works. Their authority is not in God. Numbers 12:9-11, “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.” Apparently Miriam was the instigator in transgressing God’s will to seek her own. Aaron must have followed in her counsel. This is very similar to Adam and Eve (Eve transgressed and Adam followed). Moses forgave and prayed that the Lord would heal her, which God did after a period of chastisement (Num 21:13-15). Let us beware what God said when He later warned once again: Deuteronomy 24:9, “Remember what the LORD thy God did unto Miriam by the way, after that ye were come forth out of Egypt.” Moses’ position was a foreshadowing of what Christ would later do perfectly. Hebrews 3:2, “Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.” Moses was a leader (Ex 3:10-12, 7:1, Acts 7:35); who bore the iniquities of the people (Deut 9:18-20, 24-25); and was an intercessor for the people before God (Ex 32:9-14, 31-32, 34:9, Num 11:1-2, 16:20-22, 42:46-47, 21:7, Deut 9:26, 10:10). He was servant, humbled and submitted to God’s direction (Heb 11:24-29). Deuteronomy 34:10-12, “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.” God’s leaders will have these same characteristics. They will be humble; obedient to God’s purposes; always leading others toward God and not away; and will often suffer reproach for the messages given them by God. Moses was a great prophet (mighty before God), but even his authority was questioned by rebellious man.

God’s messages do not appeal to those seeking the flesh, because they require faith (a denial and bypassing of the flesh) and sacrifice, through submission and obedience. They require one to rise above the flesh to perform God’s purposes. God’s messages will destroy the things of the flesh (self-sufficiency, self-trust, self-seeking, pride, independence) and will leave one broken before God, and trusting in Him alone. God leads us back under His authority. This is what Moses leading the children of Israel through the wilderness toward the Promised Land represented. Those messages that placate (pacify, appease and sooth) the rebellious and sinful nature of man; those that exalt one to partake of all the world offers (things the flesh desires); and those that justify the love of such darkness, are surely leading opposite of God and keeping those who receive them in the rebellion that Christ came deliver from. Those that seek the flesh (will of man) will wonder in the desert until their carcasses fall by the way (Heb 3:8-12). Jesus later came speaking God’s Words and working God’s works. Christ’s authority was also questioned by rebellious man and He suffered great reproach. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (you can sin and not die, Gen 3:3-4, follow self-will) and lead us back to God (1 Jn 3:8). Christ leads us through the wilderness (valley of the shadow of death) to break our rebellion (self-sufficiency, self-seeking, self-trust, independence, pride) such that we may enter the Promised Land (eternity, dwelling with God). The wilderness will reveal those who are seeking self (things of the flesh, their way) and those who are sincerely seeking God. Jesus leads, will you submit and follow?

The Spies

Deuteronomy 1:20-22, “And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us. Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.” The Lord had previously stated His purposes over and over which were to bring Israel to the land of promise (Gen 50:24, Ex 3:8, 17, 6:8, 13:5, 33:1, Deut 1:8). Exodus 23:27, “I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.” Just after Israel had made the golden calf and greatly provoked God, the Lord had thought to destroy them. Moses intervened and pleaded for the people such that God would not destroy them. However, the Lord said: Exodus 33:2-3, “And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” Israel was stubborn, obstinate, froward, disobedient, pertinacious, hard-hearted, idolatrous, unthankful, and self seeking. Moses was extremely concerned that God was not going to be in their midst during this conquest of the Promised Land. After pleading for the Lord’s forgiveness of the people, Moses pressed this issue. Exodus 33:12-17, “And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” Moses had pleaded with God to go with them into the Promised Land and the Lord agreed to go. One man standing faithful before God can make all the difference. There have been periods of time when no man could be found to make a difference; consider: Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” We live at the end of the age in an exceedingly wicked generation. You could be the one, the only one, that could make the difference for friends, family and even great multitudes of people. God takes note of the faithful (Job 34:21, Ps 34:15, Pv 5:21, 15:3). For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him (2 Chr 16:9). Exodus 34:10-11, “And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.” Therefore, as God had stated so many times, He would fight Israel’s battles. There was no reason to fear or doubt, God had demonstrated is power in bringing them out of Egypt, just as He said He would (through great signs and wonders – judgments, through parting the Red Sea). Psalms 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried (it has been proven, demonstrated): he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” Doubt comes from a heart of unbelief (Mt 14:31). Hebrews 3:12, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” To depart from the living God would be not trusting and obeying Him.

Numbers 13:1-2, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them (also Deut 1:22).” Moses sent one man from every tribe of Israel (Ex 13:3-15, Deut 1:23). Of the twelve men were Caleb and Joshua (Ex 13:6, 8, 16). Numbers 13:17-20, “And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.” The people wanted to send men before them and God allowed it (Deut 1:22). The Lord had a purpose in allowing this advanced scout. Their report would determine the hearts of the people. For the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins and establisheth the just (Ps 7:9, Jer 11:20, 17:10, 20:12). This people had murmured, complained, tempted, disobeyed and provoked the Lord exceedingly in the wilderness. The wilderness was meant to tear down the flesh (will of man, dependence upon self) and teach reliance upon the Lord God. Would they be prepared to go forth in faith (trust, obedience)? How would the people react to the observations of the spies? This is something we must all consider in our lives. Where is your trust in difficult (or all) situations, in self, man or God? Most will seek self-sufficiency, ingenuity, capability, resourcefulness, and man’s capabilities until all fails, before turning to God, whom they suppose is there to serve them in their needs, when required. The flesh must be torn down such that our life is a continual ongoing daily trust in the Lord for all things. Numbers 13:21-25, “So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.” We can tell from the initial description that the land is very fruitful just as the Lord had always described. All the more fruitful to those who have been in the wilderness for some time. The Lord is always true to His promises and is faithful to that which He covenants with man.

The Bad Report

Numbers 13:26-29, “And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan (also Deut 1:24-25).” Each one of us has the capacity to affect another (others) through our actions. We can draw people to the Lord through our faith and encouragement or we can push them away from God through our unbelief and doubt. We can seek God fully with our heart and be as a great light to those around us (Mt 5:16) or we can seek self (our welfare) and become as darkness such that all stumble (Pv 4:19). Your individual actions will effect another, perhaps a spouse, child, relative, friend, stranger, co-worker, neighbor, religious person, etc. God shows Himself strong through the faith of those who seek Him. Abraham’s faith was the reason that over a million people were poised to enter the Promised Land. The faith of one man created a nation – blessed of God (Heb 11:8-10, 17-19). The faith of Moses had brought the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt (Heb 11:24-29). You must be that one person of faith because it may mean the difference for the weaker ones around you. Your actions could steer a person into a whole different direction in life and life eternal. Generally, there will be many voices of support for a wrong course of action. Few if any will be that wise voice of reason that speaks the truth and stands against the crowd (popular opinion). Why? Because the truth will deny and convict the flesh what it wants to do and the one speaking the truth will become a reproach to the ones around him. Suppose, as an example, someone had just announced plans to get married (for the third time). The family members and friends (and later religious clergy) will most likely be offering support and encouragement. How do you think the one that tells the couple that they will be committing adultery will be received (Jesus said it: Mk 10:11-12, Lk 16:18)? They will be a great reproach yet will also have showed the most love and concern. Most will coddle and appease others in their darkness (justify the wicked) rather than speak the truth and bear the reproach. True love is sacrifice for another (even of self, reputation, popularity). Most likely you will get lots of religious advice on not being too extreme or fanatical in your love of God; or not to take things to literally (scriptures); or to just accept things the way they are (known wickedness or error); everybody’s doing it; or don’t isolate yourself. Few will support you (and walk along side) in laying your complete life down for the Lord. That would require one to come into the “light” of Christ and few are willing (in a true meaningful sense, as applied and lived). John 3:20-21, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” The report from the men that searched out the land acknowledged the truth (validated) of what God had said – the land flowed with milk and honey (Ex 3:8, 17, 13:5, 33:3, Lev 20:24, Deut 1:25, 11:19). However, there was a negative report; the people of the land were strong, there were walled cities and giants in the land. This perspective was from a heart of unbelief. This view sees things as they are rather than how God deems they shall be. Numbers 13:30, “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Notice Caleb’s faith and confidence intended to draw the people from considering (pondering) the bad report whose fruit is unbelief and disobedience (leading to transgression of God’s will).  Jeremiah 17:7, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” Numbers 13:31-33, “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” These men are pushing the people away from God through their hearts of unbelief. They looked at the circumstances with fleshly logic and human reasoning with no trust in God’s intervention. Faith prevails where the flesh capitulates (gives up, surrenders) because faith mixes with the power (purposes) of God. Faith must reach beyond self and situation in keeping with God’s will. As you walk through the wilderness on the narrow path that leads to God there will always be strong people, walled cities and giants in the way. Psalms 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” These must be overcome through the power of God as you trust in the Lord and walk by following Christ in faith. We surrender to God and reach beyond our own ability through trust and obedience to God’s Word. The Lord then honors His Word and receives glory through our belief.

Numbers 14:1-4, “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt (also Neh 9:17).” This incident is just as grave or serious as when the people had made the golden calf. This reveals a complete confidence in what the flesh has determined, a total lack of faith toward God, and an unwillingness and refusal of the Lord’s promises. They had rather have died than to trust in God. They had rather return to their bondages than to trust in God. When the author wrote the first book, “Jesus said, Come Follow Me,” one of the feedbacks he received (more than once) was that it is impossible to live such a life as described in the book (taken from scripture). In other words, there are strong people, walled cities and giants in the path – it cannot be done. The path is too narrow and leads through a harsh (to the flesh) and terrible wilderness. This reasoning comes from a heart of unbelief as determined through eyes set on the flesh and an unwilling heart – more confidence in the flesh than in God. This denies the ability of God working in you through faith to do the impossible – to reach beyond what the flesh can comprehend. Is the LORD’S hand waxed short (Num 11:23)? This is a rejection of the essence of what faith is – trust in God beyond SELF. God only requires that we “follow” Him in faith. Faith is a surrendered heart of love, trust, obedience and humbleness toward God. The Lord also tells us to live one day at a time and not to try and grasp the future – for it is not guaranteed (Js 4:13-15). Matthew 6:34, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” We only have to submit to and trust in God for the day at hand. Just be obedient to God’s Word for the day at hand and the Lord will take care of the rest. Step out in sincere faith and see if these things be not so. You must realize that in your life, you are either going forward in faith through the wilderness and tearing down all the “high places” of the flesh along the way or you are going backward in “unbelief” to Egypt. You will find that very few people will truly encourage you to seek God wholly with a complete (perfect) heart and totally live for Him (talking about religious people). Most people will try to hinder you or pull you back. They will want you to join their complacent lukewarm lifestyle that has ceased to grieve over the evil and wickedness all around them – accepting and content in their own frowardness (disobedience, peevishness, reluctance to yield); and unmindful, ignorant and oblivious in their approach to error. What do the scriptures say? 1 Peter 1:14-16, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (the way you live every day); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” God is sure to confound the flesh and receive glory in it. When you are following the Lord (i.e. cloudy pillar), cannot He part the sea, pull down the walls or drive out the enemies or place them in the depths of the sea? The key is that you are following in God’s path and not your own. God’s path is not understood by the flesh, but rather through His Word, the Spirit, and daily submission (application). It all starts with willingness of heart and belief such as Caleb counseled (Num 13:30). Now consider the confusion that unbelief brings: It would have been easier to have gone forward in God’s will than to go backward in their own will. Had the children of Israel turned back to Egypt (the more difficult path at hand), God would not have gone before them in a pillar of cloud to lead; God would not have provided water from rocks; God would not have provided manna or quail; God would not have cured their serpent bites; and God would not have again parted the Red Sea. They would have perished outside of God’s will rather than be victorious in God’s favor. The flesh would rather die in its own means (path, way, will) than relinquish its will to God and give Him glory. Many would rather die in harsh or addictive bondages (lasciviousness, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, sensuality, violent behavior, etc.) than confront those strong obstacles or high walls before them - in faith. The devil promised life in seeking self (ye shall not surely die, Gen 3:4), but continually delivers death. God promises life to those who will “follow” and Jesus came to give (deliver) it more abundantly (Jn 10:10). Let us consider the longsuffering of God toward us that we not perish. Jesus revealed God’s heart of love: Luke 15:4, “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” Perhaps that lost sheep is heading back to Egypt? God will reach out in love (and has through Christ), but will not force your will. Consider the attitude of the children of Israel: Deuteronomy 1:27, “And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.” - To fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey (Num 14:3) – Let us return to Egypt (Num 14:4). This is a prime characteristic of fallen and rebellious man – to judge the Lord God Almighty (unfairly, I might add). After all the righteous works that God had done for the benefit of the children of Israel, they judged the Lord’s intentions as wicked and evil. This is the nature of the devil. In Eden, the devil told Eve: Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” The devil told Eve that the righteous loving God that she knew, really had ulterior and wicked motives behind His command. That God had lied to her and was restricting (withholding from) her from gaining her full potential to be as a god (determine her own way). This is the nature that fallen man now has. Man always judges God as being unfair or responsible when things do not go his way. Man’s judgment against God is “blasphemy.” Rather than submit, obey and trust in God, man always shakes his fist, demands and accuses the Lord. Often the situations man finds himself in are the result of his own wicked actions (reaping what was sown). Rather than go forward in faith, man wants to retreat to the wickedness he once forsook. This is a great indicator of the heart. When troubles come or difficulties arise, where do you run – to God or to the flesh? Where your confidence and faith is found is revealed in your actions. Many who face problems in their lives will lash out at God when things are not done in their way and timing. These will find comfort in the flesh such as alcohol, cigarettes, food, drugs or sensual things. This only compounds their troubles and hardens their heart all the more toward God. The Lord will deliver His people, but not those whose faith and trust is found in the flesh. To rely on the flesh is to follow it to its natural conclusion which is death. All flesh will die! To judge God comes from a froward heart of unbelief. Romans 9:20, “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” The attitude of faith that we must have is: Deuteronomy 1:29-31, “Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them (Amorites, obstacle, enemy). The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.” The children of Israel never counted or considered their blessings only their unfulfilled fleshly desires and “fallen” instincts. Woe to the unbelieving!

Numbers 14:5-9, “Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” What a difference in attitude toward God! This is what all things ultimately come down to – those who have a heart of belief toward God and those who do not. Your heart is revealed (demonstrated) through your actions in such situations. Moses, Aaron, Caleb and Joshua believed God’s Word (and His ability to perform that Word) and were willing to go forward, putting their life on the line - faith. They understood God’s purposes and wanted to be a part of them. Psalms 47:2-3, “For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.” What we must take to heart is that: “The Lord is with us – fear not.” They cautioned the people not to rebel, which is to refuse God’s purposes and be disobedient to the Lord’s will. Deuteronomy 1:25-26, “And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us. Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God.” A froward heart refuses to do that which is required of God. The basis for this refusal is confidence in the flesh – what it is saying (higher regard for human reasoning than God’s will). Numbers 14:10, “But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.” Rather than submit to God’s will, the people sought their will in this matter – their path (which was fear, confusion, frowardness, sentiment, and disobedience). Numbers 14:11-16, “And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;) And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.” God is never pleased with those who have hearts of unbelief and are unwilling to follow. This people had demonstrated man’s fallen nature over and over since the onset. They cried for deliverance while in bondage in Egypt and the Lord hearkened unto the cry and delivered them. Once delivered they did nothing but complain and look back to their bondage. The flesh gravitates (descends) to the familiar (which opposes God’s purposes). Now they wanted to return to their bondage. Psalms 106:24-26, “Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness.” God had been only faithful toward this people and has performed incredible, miracles, signs and wonders in their presence. Through all of this the people are disobedient, unthankful and unwilling toward God’s will. God would be more than justified in destroying them. Again, Moses (a true leader) refuses selfish benefit (a test: I will make thee a great nation) and pleads for the people and stands up for God’s honor as an intercessor between God and Israel (man). The people had thought to stone Moses, but he shows forbearance under injuries in responding with love (sacrifice of self) and pleading for God’s forgiveness of all. Numbers 14:17-18, “And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.” God is faithful to forgive the sincere and contrite heart (i.e. Ps 51:1-4, 17), but will by no means clear the guilty (unrepentant, froward). Moses’ faith, righteousness and intercession made all the difference. Such love! – and what a foreshadowing of Christ. Psalms 106:23, “Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach (man’s violation of the covenant, non-fulfillment of agreement), to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.” God pardons, but puts a separation between the guilty and the innocent (discussed below). It would be a grave mistake to think God overlooks willful, continued transgression. Moses was a foreshadowing of Christ in that he prayed for those who despitefully used him (Mt 5:44, Lk 6:28). The people had murmured against Moses and even thought to stone him, yet Moses always looked after their best interest. Christ not only prayed for His enemies, but laid His life down for them (Father forgive them, for they know not what they do, Lk 23:34). Consider: Psalms 69:4, “They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.” Jesus restored “peace” between God and man which was definitely in man’s best interest (Rm 5:1, Eph 2:14-15, Col 1:20, Heb 2:17). Moses and Jesus were both peacemakers (between God and man). Jesus had spoken of such in the Sermon on the Mount (Beatitudes.) Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” The Lord also noted in the above scripture, that the earth will be filled with His glory. God will receive His due glory: Psalms 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Israel was suppose to show forth God’s glory to all the earth. Thus far, they have only reflected man’s fallen nature. God was looking for the faithful remnant and so it is with the whole as a whole – these shall inherit all things (Pv 5:21). Proverbs 2:22, “But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.”

Consequences

Numbers 14:22-25, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.” Consider the strong message here: the rebellious and unbelieving will not enter into God’s promises, but the obedient and faithful will. The faithful may suffer for a time due to the actions of the wicked, but will prevail in the end. Caleb “followed” God’s will (was faithful) and was blessed – he will enter into the joy of the Lord (Mt 25:21, 23). The others refused God’