Defensiveness. We all exhibit it at one time or another. When we defend ourselves, it is a struggle to remain calm. We feel attacked and want to strike back. God says He will avenge us. (Romans 12:19) Today, we will examine the reactions of the leaders of Israel who are threatened with death. Israel is turning on their leaders and anyone who says something different from them.
Can you remember your life before knowing Jesus? I know mine was not exemplary. Because I had religion and some spiritual foundation, my life had a lot of ups and downs and I did not quickly realize my need for a Savior once I saw the difference relationship can make. The Israelites also thought they were able to live without God in their lives and continually reject His leadership and provision. In Numbers 14, the very sad turn of events continues from chapter 13. In fact, things go from bad to worse. The Israelites not only rejected the Promised Land, now they reject Moses and Aaron. Rejecting the land was symbolic of not trusting God. Trying to replace the leader God set in place is like trying to replace God. The Israelites are falling further and further from grace. It is not uncommon to have a step away from what is right turn into a greater distance from God. When once we turn away, it is easy to walk in the wrong direction.
Israel’s refusal of the Promised Land and faulty vision of the situation led to them fearing death by the hands of the Canaanites. They are worried that their wives and children will be taken as plunder. “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!” they said. They want to choose a new leader to lead them back to Egypt. How can they forget the misery of Egypt? How can they forget the miracles in Egypt? How can they forget the Red Sea? How can they ignore the ark and tabernacle? How can they reject Moses? This is all very distressing to read.
Just before Stephen is stoned in Acts Chapter 7, he gives an account of the history of the Hebrews. He says in verse 39, “But our fathers refused to obey him (Moses). Instead, they rejected him, and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.” Turning back to Egypt in their hearts means they preferred the world to God. Today, we can be enticed by all the world has to offer and our priorities can get shifted very easily. If pleasing our children, who don’t “like” church comes before pleasing God, who wants us to worship Him in the assembly of His people, then our priorities are not properly aligned. If someone accepts that extra work shift to make more money rather than spending that time with their family and/or serving the Lord, then they need to examine their heart because it may be turning back to “Egypt.” If we are tempted to return to some of our old ways and habits from before we were Christians, then we are dangerously close to turning our hearts to Egypt and need to find someone close to us to hold us accountable to maintain our commitment to God. Whatever it looks like in your life, if you stay close in your relationship with the Lord, you should be convicted if your heart is turning back to the world or Egypt.
Matthew Henry puts it this way:
And here is a most wicked blasphemous reflection upon God himself, as if he had brought them hither on purpose that they might fall by the sword, and that their wives and children, those poor innocents, should be a prey. Thus do they, in effect, charge that God who is love itself with the worst of malice, and eternal Truth with the basest hypocrisy, suggesting that all the kind things he had said to them, and done for them, hitherto, were intended only to decoy them into a snare, and to cover a secret design carried on all along to ruin them. Daring impudence! But what will not that tongue speak against heaven that is set on fire of hell? The devil keeps up his interest in the hearts of men by insinuating to them ill thoughts of God, as if he desired the death of sinners, and delighted in the hardships and sufferings of his own servants, …
God forbid we should be so short-sighted and rebellious. But aren’t there times we forget what God has done for us? Aren’t there times we doubt His goodness? I like how Henry says, “the devil keeps up his interest in the hearts of men by insinuating to them ill thoughts of God...”
Recall a recent event in your life which showed you that you didn’t really trust God fully. Our reflection on truths and warnings must be inward focused and not judging others or regarding what is written as a “nice story.” As God reveals to us that we still have areas of unbelief in our hearts, may we turn them over to Him and walk in faith. The Bible is a true account of God’s work in lives over almost 2000 years. Its truth applies in my life as much today as it ever has.
As Israel complained and desired to return to Egypt and discussed replacing their leaders, Moses and Aaron fell face down before them. These men of God are ever interceding for the rebellious Israelites. They neither defend themselves nor answer the people back. God is honored by their reaction. We need to trust Him and hand situations over to Him. God tells us that He will avenge us. (Romans 12:19)
Do you tend to be defensive or do you take the offenses against you to God so He may avenge you? If we cannot love those who offend us, how will we ever love our enemies and bless those who persecute us as our Lord has commanded us? This thought came to me recently and I have really been dwelling on it. We reflect God by having supernatural qualities. The Spirit in us accomplishes things we never could. Saying, “I can’t!” negates Philippians 4:13. As believers, we need to give the gentle answer in the face of wrath and so defuse it. (Proverbs 15:1)
Is it really so hard to hold our tongues? James says, “The tongue also is a fire; a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole man, sets the whole course of his life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6) We need to respect the Word here and pray unceasingly for the words that would come from our mouths. Our tongues can build up or they can tear down. Let’s fill our hearts, minds and mouths with the Word of God and meditate on it to honor the Lord.
It has taken me a long time, but I believe I have grown in this area. I will never be done growing, I am sure. Defending ourselves is a reflex. However, our natural reflexes are of our flesh nature, not of God. God will protect us. We need only stand firm and watch ourselves that we don’t dishonor Him. The battles we face are tests to see if we will trust God to fight for us. (Exodus 14:14) Oswald Chambers puts it so well: "Jesus Christ demands that there be not the slightest trace of resentment even suppressed in the heart of a disciple when he meets with tyranny and injustice...Jesus Christ is the only one who can fulfill the Sermon on the Mount." (My Utmost for His Highest September 25)
Comments
Post a Comment