Just a Rebel, Saved by Grace

 

“[Here] we are reminded "that the law was given by Moses," who by reason of our transgression could not bring us to heaven; but "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ," for the salvation of everyone who believes.” – Matthew Henry

 

Read:  Numbers 27:12-23

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

 

S:  “For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.”

 

O: From the Pulpit Commentary:  “Moses had already been told that he should not enter the promised land (Numbers 20:12), yet he is allowed the consolation of seeing it with his eyes before his death. It would seem from Deuteronomy 3:25-27 that this favour was accorded him in answer to his prayer.”  Why was Moses not allowed to go in to the land?  Verse 14 gives us the answer:  “For ye rebelled against my commandment.”  Moses “marah peh” – He rebelled or was contentious and disobedient or bitter towards “peh”, meaning mouth.  Basically God spoke and Moshe disobeyed the mouth or the word of the LORD.  Which interestingly enough if you look back at Numbers 20:10 where the original rebellion took place it says that Moses called the people there “rebels” (Look here you “marah” – you rebels” Moses said in Numbers 20:10) using the same word that God used here when talking to Moses.  Immediately after that in verse 24 God lays out the consequence of that action.  And in our passage today God reaffirms that consequence, but with grace by listening to and appointing a successor at Moses’ request. 

 

Interesting side note:  If you know Hebrew a little bit you might be inclined to think the bitter waters at Marah referred to in Exodus 15:23 is the same, but it is actually in the Strong’s Concordance different.  In Exodus the word used there is a proper name Marah: a bitter spring in the Sinai peninsula, original word: מָרָה, whereas in our passage today in Numbers the word used there is the verb marah: to be contentious or rebellious, original word: מָרָה.  Both have similar meanings of bitterness, but they are in fact different, and are just one number difference in the Strong’s (4784 & 4785).

 

It is interesting to note however that at Marah in Exodus that it was the wood cast into the waters that sweetened the waters which many believe to be a foreshadowing of the cross of Christ and it was through the cross of Jesus Christ that even “rebels” might be saved. 

 

In the next verse in verse 15 the Pulpit Commentary says this:  “For himself [Moses] not even a word of complaint at his punishment, which must have seemed, thus close at hand, more inexplicably severe than ever; all his thoughts and his prayers for the people - that one might take his place, and reap for himself and Israel the reward of all his toil and patience.”  This goes back to what we discussed a few days ago about the heart of a true intercessor.  Moses’ heart was for the people up until the bitter end (excuse the bitter pun).  His heart truly was a heart after God’s own heart, even though that description is really left for King David.  Even on his deathbed Moses was more concerned for the people than himself – that my friends is a heart of an intercessor!

 

Moses wanted someone who would, “them out, and bring them in.” (verse 17)  “The underlying image is that of a shepherd and his flock, which suggests itself so naturally to all that have the care and governance of men.” (Pulpit Commentary)  So that they would not be a sheep without a shepherd, the verse goes on to say.  This again shows Moses’ heart.  This was the heart of Jesus in our passage yesterday in Mark 6.  Both Moses and Jesus were moved with a heart of compassion towards the people who needed a shepherd.  Certainly Moses, after spending 40 years tending sheep, understood this concept and what would happen to the people if no one was appointed after him.

 

So here we see Joshua being appointed successor.  Joshua of course was being prepared for this role for many years prior as he spent a lot of time ministering to Moses that we can read about in several places throughout Scripture.  The only other choice would have been Caleb in regards to the integrity and bringing back a good report along with Joshua, but Joshua was still the first pick.

 

Lastly, some might ask – since Moses didn’t get to the Promised Land, will he be in heaven?  I believe the answer is yes.  Look at Matthew (17:2).  Here it states that Jesus "was transfigured before them; his face shining as the sun, and his garments became white as the light." At that point the prophets Elijah and Moses appear and Jesus begins to talk to them.

 

Moses lost the privilege of leading the people into the Promised Land and it was a pretty stern consequence for his actions, but his action did not take away his eternal salvation.  The point being that Moses was a sinner saved by grace just like you and I.  Do we make mistakes?  Yes!  Do we suffer consequences and lose blessings this side of heaven?  YES!  But, by grace we are saved by Faith, not by our actions!  Halleluyah!

 

A:  For me the application is this - I too was/am a rebel – a sinner.  I get mad and upset.  But I am so thankful that God has saved me by His GRACE!  He has sweetened my proverbial “bitter waters” through His cross and I am not what I used to be!!!!!  And He is still working on me J  I am so thankful!

 

P:  Father in Heaven, thank You so very much that You reached down to us through You Son, Jesus Christ, and through His death and resurrection to sweeten our bitter waters!  Father, without You we are nothing!  We have no hope of salvation or being changed and transformed, but because of the cross of Christ the victory over sin and death was accomplished and we get to take part in that victory if we will but take our old rebellious natures and submit them to Your Authority.  Does it make us perfect, no!  Will we still make mistakes, even in our “old age” as Moses did?  Yes, unfortunately!  But the flip side of that is that we can still come to You and seek Your forgiveness.  It doesn’t mean all the consequences go away, and that we don’t lose out on the blessings You desire for us, but there is still a hope of eternity.  God I pray we would not rebel against you, God that we would make You large in the eyes of those who are watching and following us – to lift You up and magnify You, but God should we fall and make mistakes, I pray for grace to abound!  I know we all fall short of Your glory, Father, but I thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your Son to die for us and to save us.  It is through His Name we pray all these things, Amen & Amen.