Números 14
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 14
Henry - They wish rather to die criminals under God’s justice than live conquerors in his favor. How base were the spirits of those degenerate Israelites, who, rather than die (if it come to the worst) like soldiers in the field of honor, with their swords in their hands, desire to die like rotten sheep in the wilderness!” (WOE!) Bush on Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! - The more carefully the language of these malcontents is weighed, the more aggravated does it appear. They were wrought up by their disaffection to a point of absolute madness. They speak as if it had been actually better that they had been slain with the first-born in Egypt, or in the wilderness with those who had lately died of the plague for lusting, than run the hazard of holding on their way to Canaan. They forgot that Omnipotence could bring them in thither as triumphantly as it had brought them out of Egypt. The past, with all its miracles of mercy, is hidden from their eyes, and the dreadful future, painted by unbelief, is all that stands before them. Never had people been so honored, favored, and blest, as had the nation of Israel since their departure out of Egypt, and yet, so light is all this in their eyes, that they now mourn that they had not died before they had experienced it! Who can wonder that, as appears from the sequel, vs. 28, 29, they soon had their wish? C H
Números 14
Henry - “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, and to cover a secret design carried on all along to ruin them.” To fall by the sword? - Their disbelief distorts their thinking for here they say they will face certain death! How many times had Yahweh already delivered them from death! (Ex 14:24-28+) They forgot that "Yahweh is a warrior. Yahweh is His Name." (Ex 15:3-7+) Where did this come from? They "extrapolated" from the faithless, false words of the 10 spies, words like "The land...is a land that devours its inhabitants." (Nu 13:32+, cf Nu 13:28+). The congregation believed the lie of the 10 and forgot/discarded the truth of Jehovah, the Covenant keeping God! How quickly they forgot the great "war cry" of Moses as the Ark would begin to lead the way for the nation to move out in preparation to "move in"... Then it came about when the Ark set out that Moses said, “Rise up, O LORD! And let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.” (Nu 10:35) Sadly, Israel failed to gird the loins of their mind with this truth and began to think they would be the ones who would be scattered and destroyed, not their enemies! Our wives and our little ones will become plunder - What is their lame excuse for not going into the land? Wives and children! What a horrible accusation to bring against God! Their wives would die, but their children would not as God says specifically (Nu 14:31-33). Plunder (0957)(baz from bazaz = to spoil, plunder) means spoiling, booty, prey, robbery, spoils. It describes the act of plundering or the loot taken by an enemy after a successful attack. TThe spoil of war was carried away by enemies (Ezek. 29:19; 38:12, 13) and divided among the victors (Num. 31:32; Isa. 33:23). The spoil of war included people (Num. 14:3, 31; Deut. 1:39; Isa. 42:22), animals (Jer. 49:32), cities (Ezek. 26:5; 36:4, 5) and even whole nations (Jer. 2:14; 30:16; Ezek. 25:7). The Lxx of Nu 14:3 uses diarpage meaning (act of) plundering (Ezra 9:7) booty (Nu 14:3, Nu 14:31). Gilbrant adds "The word usually refers to the consequences of God's judgment on a sinful people. The Lord will give Israel as plunder to her enemies (2 Ki. 21:14; Jer. 15:13; 17:3; Ezek. 7:21). Israel and Judah will be given up to plunder (Ezek. 23:46). Assyria will seize plunder from Israel (Isa. 10:6). The word is used figuratively of Israel as sheep taken as plunder (Ezek. 34:8, 22, 28). The word is also used as part of a compound name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, meaning "Speed the spoil" or "Hasten the booty" (Isa 8:1, 3). The name was given to Isaiah's son as a prophetic sign of coming judgment. (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary Baz - 27x in 27v the NT - booty(2), plunder(10), prey(11), spoil(4). - Num. 14:3; Num. 14:31; Num. 31:32; Deut. 1:39; 2 Ki. 21:14; 2 Chr. 28:14; Isa. 8:1; Isa. 10:6; Isa. 33:23; Isa. 42:22; Jer. 2:14; Jer. 15:13; Jer. 17:3; Jer. 30:16; Jer. 49:32; Ezek. 7:21; Ezek. 23:46; Ezek. 25:7; Ezek. 26:5; Ezek. 29:19; Ezek. 34:8; Ezek. 34:22; Ezek. 34:28; Ezek. 36:4; Ezek. 36:5; Ezek. 38:12; Ezek. 38:13 would it not be better for us to return to Egypt - This is absolute insanity! As if the Pharaoh would welcome them with open arms! This shows the depraved, deceived thinking of these people! In their unbelief they now prefer enslavement in Egypt to freedom and prosperity in the Promised Land. THOUGHT - Dear believer are you being tempted to go back to the oppression and enslavement of "Egypt" by returning to some sinful habit from which God had graciously and greatly delivered you? Have you encountered some obstacle that you fail to see as an opportunity for God to show Himself great and mighty in your behalf? Confess your doubt (cf Ro 14:23+). Repent. Ask Him to revive you according to His Word (Ps 119:25). In Jesus' Name. Amen. FSB - God forbade the Israelites from going back to Egypt (compare Deut 17:16). Israel was forced into slavery in Egypt; now, they willingly seek it out of fear and unbelief. Wishing to return to Egypt later came to be biblical symbol of apostasy (Isa 30:1–7). Bush on would it not be better - Heb. “Were it not good?” It is observable how many obvious considerations they lose sight of in this proposition. As for instance, could they expect the presence of the pillar of cloud to conduct them on their way? Could they look to be supplied with manna from heaven? Would the Lord again divide the waters of the Red Sea for them? Could they anticipate a peaceful passage along the territories of the warlike nations that bordered their path? And should they even succeed in setting their feet again on Egyptian ground, would they find their ancient oppressors any more favorably disposed towards them? Would they have forgotten the death of their first-born? Would they have buried the remembrance of the fathers, children, brothers, husbands, who had perished in pursuing them? But thus infatuated are men when their hearts are set in them to do evil. Like brute-beasts, they mind only that which is present, and the office of memory and reason appears to be suspended. Numbers 14:4 So they said to one another, "Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt." BGT Numbers 14:4 καὶ εἶπαν ἕτερος τῷ ἑτέρῳ δῶμεν ἀρχηγὸν καὶ ἀποστρέψωμεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον NET Numbers 14:4 So they said to one another, "Let's appoint a leader and return to Egypt." NLT Numbers 14:4 Then they plotted among themselves, "Let's choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!" ESV Numbers 14:4 And they said to one another, "Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt." NIV Numbers 14:4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." KJV Numbers 14:4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. YLT Numbers 14:4 And they say one unto another, 'Let us appoint a head, and turn back to Egypt.' LXE Numbers 14:4 And they said one to another, Let us make a ruler, and return into Egypt. ASV Numbers 14:4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. CSB Numbers 14:4 So they said to one another, "Let's appoint a leader and go back to Egypt." NKJ Numbers 14:4 So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt." NRS Numbers 14:4 So they said to one another, "Let us choose a captain, and go back to Egypt." De 17:16 28:68 Ne 9:16,17 Lu 17:32 Ac 7:39 Heb 10:38,39 11:15 2Pe 2:21,22 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Nehemiah 9:16-17 (primary reference = rebellion of Israel at Kadesh) “But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments. 17 “They refused to listen, And did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not forsake them. Comment - The people must have gone ahead and chosen a different leader, though Numbers 14 contains no record of the actual appointment. REBELS REPUDIATE MOSES LEADERSHIP So they said to one another - Literally " “a man to his brother.” Other renderings on appoint a leader - Hebrew. “Let us give a head.” Chaldee. “Let us appoint or constitute a head (principem).” Lxx. “Let us give (or appoint) a leader.” Targum Jon. “Let us appoint a king over us for head.” Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt: In Acts 7:39+ Stephen says “Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him (MOSES), but repudiated (apotheo/apotheomai) him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt." So clearly the desire for a new leader, is related to their heart problem. The heart of most interpersonal problems is usually a problem with the person's heart (or hearts)! These rebellious people do not want God leading them because to repudiate Moses was to repudiate the man God used to lead them out of Egypt. They may want the blessing of God but they don't want God Himself as is evident by their unwillingness to submit to His commandments which are not burdensome (cf 1 Jn 5:3+). Brian Bell - At Horeb they said, “Let us make a calf” here, “let us make a leader.” The calf was made because it had brought them out of Egypt; The leader was to be made in order to lead them back into Egypt! If this were not recorded in Scripture, it would be difficult to believe. This generation had been enslaved and now they are so hardened in their hearts and deceived by their sin (cf Heb 3:13+) that they actually wanted to return to the oppressive enslavement that had prompted their crying out for relief in Exodus 2:23+ where "the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God." NET Note on appoint - The verb is נָתַן (natan, “to give”), but this verb has quite a wide range of meanings in the Bible. Here it must mean “to make,” “to choose,” “to designate” or the like. Leader - The word “head” (רֹאשׁ, ro’sh) probably refers to a tribal chief who was capable to judge and to lead to war Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. BGT Numbers 14:5 καὶ ἔπεσεν Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐναντίον πάσης συναγωγῆς υἱῶν Ισραηλ NET Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground before the whole assembled community of the Israelites. NLT Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. ESV Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. NIV Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. KJV Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. YLT Numbers 14:5 And Moses falleth -- Aaron also -- on their faces, before all the assembly of the company of the sons of Israel. LXE Numbers 14:5 And Moses and Aaron fell upon their face before all the congregation of the children of Israel. ASV Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. CSB Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground in front of the whole assembly of the Israelite community. NKJ Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. NRS Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the Israelites. Nu 16:4,22,45 Ge 17:3 Lev 9:24 Jos 5:14 7:10 1Ki 18:39 1Ch 21:16 Eze 9:8 Da 10:9 Mt 26:39 Rev 4:10 5:14 7:11 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then - This is an important time expression, for it marks a strategic sequence. First spies were lying. Then Israel was wailing. Then Israel was were wanting a new leader. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel - This is something they would do often in the years ahead (Nu 16:4, 22, 45; Nu 20:6; Nu 22:31). Imagine this scene as the leaders fall on their face before the crowd calling for new leadership! The rebellious crowd has no understanding and/or concern regarding Moses' and Aaron's action which is done on behalf of the people. Clearly they were not just falling to fall but falling to pray and falling as a sign to the people of the greatness of their sin and the great danger they were in because of their continued grumbling! NET Note - This action of Moses and Aaron is typical of them in the wilderness with the Israelites. The act shows self-abasement and deference before the sovereign LORD. They are not bowing before the people here, but in front of the people they bow before God. According to Num 17:6–13 this prostration is for the purpose of intercessory prayer. Here it prevents immediate wrath from God. George Bush has an informative comment - Moses and Aaron, therefore, fell down upon their faces in the presence of the whole assembly, that the offenders might be awakened to a sense of their danger, and be excited to cry mightily to heaven for mercy. It is ever characteristic of a gracious heart to mourn for the sins of others as well as for its own. If we know the iniquities of others, and do not mourn for them, we in a sense make them our own, and thus become partakers of other men’s sins. If we mourn for them, we discharge ourselves from responsibility on account of them; they are theirs, and not ours. Moses and Aaron, therefore, bowed themselves on this occasion in prostration both of body and spirit. The more ordinary posture of prayer among the nation of Israel seems to have been standing, but in cases of special emergency, when they were deeply distressed and exceedingly anxious for a favorable response, they resorted to kneeling; and in the utmost ardor and importunity of prayer, they fell upon their faces, as we learn by the example of our Lord himself, Mat. 26:39, Luke 22:41. The reason of this is, that true humiliation of heart prompts corresponding outward gestures, and when the soul is conscious to itself of its desert of hell, the man sinks himself as deep down in that direction as possible. Related Resource: What does the Bible say about mourning? | GotQuestions.org Baker Evangelical Dictionary Grief, Grieving International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Grief; Grieve Numbers 14:6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; BGT Numbers 14:6 Ἰησοῦς δὲ ὁ τοῦ Ναυη καὶ Χαλεβ ὁ τοῦ Ιεφοννη τῶν κατασκεψαμένων τὴν γῆν διέρρηξαν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν NET Numbers 14:6 And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, two of those who had investigated the land, tore their garments. NLT Numbers 14:6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. ESV Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes NIV Numbers 14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes KJV Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: YLT Numbers 14:6 And Joshua son of Nun, and Caleb son of Jephunneh, of those spying the land, have rent their garments, LXE Numbers 14:6 But Joshua the son of Naue, and Chaleb the son of Jephonne, of the number of them that spied out the land, rent their garments, ASV Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of them that spied out the land, rent their clothes: CSB Numbers 14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes NKJ Numbers 14:6 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; NRS Numbers 14:6 And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes Joshua: Nu 14:24,30,38 13:6,8,30 tore their clothes: Ge 37:29,34 Ge 44:13 Jos 7:6 Jdg 11:35 2Sa 3:31 2Ki 18:37 Job 1:20 Joel 2:12,13 Mt 26:65 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JOSHUA AND CALEB REND THEIR GARMENTS Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land Caleb and Joshua were a minority on the Search Committee and yet they did not give in, even when the nation turned against them and their lives were in danger. They had faith in God, they knew God’s will for the people, and they stood their ground. It is not important that we please others, but it is important that we please God. Like Caleb and Joshua, sometimes we must suffer because of the sins of others; but in the end, God will vindicate those who trust Him. (Acts 20:24; 1Co 15:58.) Tore their clothes (see Ge 37:29,34 Ge 44:13 Jos 7:6 Jdg 11:35 2Sa 3:31 2Ki 18:37 Job 1:20) - This was a sign of mourning, grief and distress (cf Lv 10:6+). You might ask why Aaron did not tear their garments. Lev 21:10+ makes it clear that "‘The priest who is the highest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil has been poured and who has been consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes;" In Joel 2:13+ God said "rend your heart and not your garments” but in the case of Joshua and Caleb there is no doubt that their external rending reflected the internal rending of their hearts at the people's great sin. Furthermore, they (as well as Moses and Aaron) would not have quickly forgotten the divine punishment at the people's complaining in Numbers 11:1+ (this would have been easy to remember because they had even memorialized the place with the name Taberah - Nu 11:3). Bush on tore their clothes - A well known token of excessive grief, sorrow, or indignation, prompted especially by the hearing of blasphemy against God. In Jer. 36:24, it is mentioned as a sign of culpable apathy on the part of Jehoiakim, and his servants, that on hearing the words of the Lord’s prophets against Judah, “they were not afraid, nor rent their garments.” Related Resources: What does the Bible say about mourning? | GotQuestions.org Baker Evangelical Dictionary Grief, Grieving International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Grief; Grieve Question: What did it mean to tear one’s clothes in the Bible? Answer: The tearing of one’s clothes is an ancient tradition among the Jews, and it is associated with mourning, grief, and loss. The first mention of someone tearing his garments is in Genesis. “When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes” (Genesis 37:29). A short time later, “Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days” (Genesis 37:34) when he thought that Joseph had been killed. Other biblical examples of men who tore their clothes to express pain and sorrow include David, when Saul and Jonathan were killed (2 Samuel 1:11–12); Elisha, when Elijah was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:11–12); Job, when he was bereft of all he possessed (Job 1:20); Jephthah, when he learned the result of his rash vow (Judges 11:34–35); Mordecai, when he learned of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews (Esther 4:1); Ahab, when Elijah pronounced a judgment against him (1 Kings 21:27); and Paul and Barnabas, when the people of Lystra began to worship them (Acts 14:14). Sometimes, the tearing of one’s clothes was accompanied by other signs of humility and grief, such as shaving one’s head (Job 1:20), throwing dust on oneself (Job 2:12), and wearing sackcloth (2 Samuel 3:31). There were times when people should have torn their garments but did not. The prophet Jeremiah received the Word of God concerning a soon-coming judgment on Judah. Jeremiah faithfully wrote the prophecy in a scroll and delivered it to King Jehoiakim. The king listened to the first part of the prophecy, but then he took a knife, cut the scroll in pieces, and burned it in a brazier (Jeremiah 36:23). This impious act was met with chilling stoicism from his aides: “The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes” (verse 24). If ever there was a time to tear one’s clothes, this was it; but these men had no fear of God, no remorse, no conviction of sin. It is interesting that the high priest was not allowed to tear his clothes: “The high priest, the one among his brothers who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and who has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not . . . tear his clothes” (Leviticus 21:10). The special nature of the high priestly office dictated a separation from some of the common customs, including that of mourning. Tearing one’s clothes was a public and powerful expression of grief in ancient times. The practice is continued today in the Jewish practice of keriah. Today’s ritual is less spontaneous and more regulated: the garment is cut by a rabbi at a funeral service, as the bereaved recite words relating to God’s sovereignty. One tradition says that the mourner must tear the clothing over the heart—a sign of a broken heart. More important than outward shows of grief are true sorrow for sin and genuine repentance of the heart. The prophet Joel relayed God’s command: “Rend your heart and not your garments” (Joel 2:13). The One who sees the heart requires more than external ritual. And the command came with a promise: “Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (Joel 2:13; cf. Psalm 34:18). GotQuestions.org C H
Números 14
Henry - “The decree was gone forth, the consumption determined; they did not seek the Lord while he might be found, and now he would not be found. Oh, if men would but be as earnest for heaven while their day of grace lasts, as they will be when it is over; would be as solicitous to provide themselves oil while the bridegroom tarries as they will be when the bridegroom comes, how well would it be for them!” The Israelites were not like the ones described by Paul who were sorrowful to point of genuine repentance... 2 Cor 7:9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. NET NOTE on has promised The verb is simply “said,” but it means the place that the LORD said to go up to in order to fight. NET - Their sin was unbelief. They could have gone and conquered the area if they had trusted the LORD for their victory. They did not, and so they were condemned to perish in the wilderness. Now, thinking that by going they can undo all that, they plan to go. But this is also disobedience, for the LORD said they would not now take the land, and yet they think they can. Here is their second sin, presumption. Extremes Here we are, and we will go up to the place which the Lord has promised, for we have sinned. —Numbers 14:40 Today's Scripture: Numbers 14:39-45 The pendulum in our hall clock ticks off the seconds with dependable accuracy. Under the pull of gravity it swings freely from one extreme to the other. But the fixed point from which it hangs gives it the control to convert its motion into useful energy. In today’s Scripture, we read how Israel swung from one extreme to the other but without stability and control. They had lost connection with their fixed point, which was God Himself. After spying out the Promised Land, Joshua challenged the nation to obey God and invade. Instead, they listened to the fearful report of the 10 spies and held back (Num. 13:26-14:38). Then, after God judged them, they rushed ahead without His approval (14:40). We often exhibit those same tendencies. Fear either keeps us from moving forward in faith, or self-reliance leads us to make rash decisions without seeking God’s direction. Jesus experienced a full range of emotions just as we do (Mk. 14:34; Jn. 2:13-17), but His responses were never out of control. He always held to the fixed point of His Father’s will (Mk. 14:35-36; Jn. 6:38). How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said— To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled? —Anon. To give your life stability, hold to God's Word. Numbers 14:41 But Moses said, "Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD, when it will not succeed? BGT Numbers 14:41 καὶ εἶπεν Μωυσῆς ἵνα τί ὑμεῖς παραβαίνετε τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου οὐκ εὔοδα ἔσται ὑμῖν NET Numbers 14:41 But Moses said, "Why are you now transgressing the commandment of the LORD? It will not succeed! NLT Numbers 14:41 But Moses said, "Why are you now disobeying the LORD's orders to return to the wilderness? It won't work. ESV Numbers 14:41 But Moses said, "Why now are you transgressing the command of the LORD, when that will not succeed? NIV Numbers 14:41 But Moses said, "Why are you disobeying the LORD's command? This will not succeed! KJV Numbers 14:41 And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper. YLT Numbers 14:41 And Moses saith, 'Why is this? -- ye are transgressing the command of Jehovah, and it doth not prosper; LXE Numbers 14:41 And Moses said, Why do ye transgress the word of the Lord? ye shall not prosper. ASV Numbers 14:41 And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of Jehovah, seeing it shall not prosper? CSB Numbers 14:41 But Moses responded, "Why are you going against the LORD's command? It won't succeed. NKJ Numbers 14:41 And Moses said, "Now why do you transgress the command of the LORD? For this will not succeed. NRS Numbers 14:41 But Moses said, "Why do you continue to transgress the command of the LORD? That will not succeed. why are you: Nu 14:25 2Ch 24:20 will not: Job 4:9 Jer 2:37 32:5 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 1:41-43 “Then you said to me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD; we will indeed go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ And every man of you girded on his weapons of war, and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country. 42 “And the LORD said to me, ‘Say to them, “Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; otherwise you will be defeated before your enemies.”’ 43 “So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. Instead you rebelled against the command of the LORD, and acted presumptuously and went up into the hill country. ISRAEL MISSED THEIR CHANCE TO OBEY But Moses said, "Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD - Heb. “Wherefore (is) this (that) ye are now transgressing the mouth of the Lord?” Gr. “Why do ye transgress the word of the Lord?” Moses says you are sinning again! Israel went from rebellion to presumption and tried to fight the enemy on their own. -- Wiersbe Bush - The commandment which they were here transgressing was that, v. 25, requiring them to turn back to the Red Sea and not think of entering Canaan at present. The use of “mouth” for “commandment” is very frequent. when it will not succeed - The old saying is "too little, too late!" Moses warns the numbered men of war that their foolish plan would not work! Bush - That is, the step on which you are now intent; the project of ascending the mountain and assaulting your enemies. Gr. “It shall not be auspicious to you.” NET Note - The line literally has, “Why is this [that] you are transgressing.…” The demonstrative pronoun is enclitic; it brings the force of “why in the world are you doing this now?” Numbers 14:42 "Do not go up, or you will be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not among you. BGT Numbers 14:42 μὴ ἀναβαίνετε οὐ γάρ ἐστιν κύριος μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν καὶ πεσεῖσθε πρὸ προσώπου τῶν ἐχθρῶν ὑμῶν NET Numbers 14:42 Do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, and you will be defeated before your enemies. NLT Numbers 14:42 Do not go up into the land now. You will only be crushed by your enemies because the LORD is not with you. ESV Numbers 14:42 Do not go up, for the Lord is not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies. NIV Numbers 14:42 Do not go up, because the LORD is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies, KJV Numbers 14:42 Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. YLT Numbers 14:42 go not up, for Jehovah is not in your midst, and ye are not smitten before your enemies; LXE Numbers 14:42 Go not up, for the Lord is not with you; so shall ye fall before the face of your enemies. ASV Numbers 14:42 Go not up, for Jehovah is not among you; that ye be not smitten down before your enemies. CSB Numbers 14:42 Don't go, because the LORD is not among you and you will be defeated by your enemies. NKJ Numbers 14:42 "Do not go up, lest you be defeated by your enemies, for the LORD is not among you. NRS Numbers 14:42 Do not go up, for the LORD is not with you; do not let yourselves be struck down before your enemies. De 1:42 Jos 7:8,12 Ps 44:1,2-11 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Do not go up, or you will be struck down before your enemies - Moses is trying to keep them for committing "suicide." for the LORD is not among you. Moses' warning could not have been easier to comprehend. He says it every way he can and yet these obstinate people refuse to listen and suffer the consequences of disobedience. The fact that they refuse to listen to him accentuates how hard their hearts were! Can you imagine what is going though Moses' mind -- " have 40 more years with these stubborn, stiff-necked rebels!" Man’s efforts without God’s blessing do more harm than good, for Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). -- Warren Wiersbe Bush - Heb. “The Lord is not in your midst.” Chald. “The Shekinah of the Lord is not among you.” The cloudy pillar removed not, but remained stationary, which should have served to them as an indication that the divine presence was not with them, and that the attempt was presumptuous. As supreme commander of the Allied invasion of Europe during World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower was faced with a decision that held potentially overwhelming consequences. He had to decide whether to change the date of the D-Day invasion at the last minute or to let it proceed. Of the decision, Eisenhower later wrote: 'I knew I did not have the required wisdom… I asked God to give me the wisdom. I yielded myself to Him. I surrendered myself. And He gave me clear guidance. He gave me insight to see what was right, and He gave me courage to make my decision.' The Israelites could have benefited from a similar attitude of humility on the part of their military commander(s). Someone made the decision to go into battle in the hill country of southern Canaan in defiance of the Lord and the nation paid the price of defeat and humiliation. Numbers 14:43 "For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the LORD. And the LORD will not be with you." BGT Numbers 14:43 ὅτι ὁ Αμαληκ καὶ ὁ Χαναναῖος ἐκεῖ ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν καὶ πεσεῖσθε μαχαίρᾳ οὗ εἵνεκεν ἀπεστράφητε ἀπειθοῦντες κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἔσται κύριος ἐν ὑμῖν NET Numbers 14:43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and you will fall by the sword. Because you have turned away from the LORD, the LORD will not be with you." NLT Numbers 14:43 When you face the Amalekites and Canaanites in battle, you will be slaughtered. The LORD will abandon you because you have abandoned the LORD." ESV Numbers 14:43 For there the Amalekites and the Canaanites are facing you, and you shall fall by the sword. Because you have turned back from following the LORD, the LORD will not be with you." NIV Numbers 14:43 for the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you there. Because you have turned away from the LORD, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword." KJV Numbers 14:43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you. YLT Numbers 14:43 for the Amalekite and the Canaanite are there before you, and ye have fallen by the sword, because that ye have turned back from after Jehovah, and Jehovah is not with you.' LXE Numbers 14:43 For Amalec and the Chananite are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword; because ye have disobeyed the Lord and turned aside, and the Lord will not be among you. ASV Numbers 14:43 For there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned back from following Jehovah, therefore Jehovah will not be with you. CSB Numbers 14:43 The Amalekites and Canaanites are right in front of you, and you will fall by the sword. The LORD won't be with you, since you have turned from following Him." NKJ Numbers 14:43 "For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and you shall fall by the sword; because you have turned away from the LORD, the LORD will not be with you." NRS Numbers 14:43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will confront you there, and you shall fall by the sword; because you have turned back from following the LORD, the LORD will not be with you." Nu 14:25 13:29 Lev 26:17 De 28:25 because: Jdg 16:20 1Ch 28:9 2Ch 15:2 Isa 63:10 Ho 9:12 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will be there in front of you and you will fall by the sword - In Nu 14:25 Israel was instructed to avoid these two people groups! Incredibly Moses continues his prophetic word of warning, even telling Israel who would come against them and that they would hack them to bits! Good grief, what does he need to say for them to believe him! Matthew Henry - “The Canaanites are before you to attack you, and the Lord is not among you to protect you and fight for you, and therefore look to yourselves that ‘ye be not smitten before your enemies.’ Those that are out of the way of their duty are from under God’s protection, and go at their peril. It is dangerous going where we cannot expect God should go along with us.” Bush on in front of you - That is, have got the start of you, have preoccupied the post which you would seize; implying that their folly in expecting to dispossess a strong and warlike people who had got into their hands all the strongholds, was equal to their presumption in going counter to the express command of heaven. inasmuch as you have turned back from following the LORD Sin robs us of God's presence. Greek has "“Because ye have turned away unbelievingly or disobediently from the Lord.” And the LORD will not be with you - Chald. “The Word of the Lord will not be for your help.” Numbers 14:44 But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp. BGT Numbers 14:44 καὶ διαβιασάμενοι ἀνέβησαν ἐπὶ τὴν κορυφὴν τοῦ ὄρους ἡ δὲ κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου καὶ Μωυσῆς οὐκ ἐκινήθησαν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς NET Numbers 14:44 But they dared to go up to the crest of the hill, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp. NLT Numbers 14:44 But the people defiantly pushed ahead toward the hill country, even though neither Moses nor the Ark of the LORD's Covenant left the camp. ESV Numbers 14:44 But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp. NIV Numbers 14:44 Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the LORD's covenant moved from the camp. KJV Numbers 14:44 But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. YLT Numbers 14:44 And they presume to go up unto the top of the mountain, and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and Moses have not departed out of the midst of the camp. LXE Numbers 14:44 And having forced their passage, they went up to the top of the mountain; but the ark of the covenant of the Lord and Moses stirred not out of the camp. ASV Numbers 14:44 But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. CSB Numbers 14:44 But they dared to go up the ridge of the hill country, even though the ark of the LORD's covenant and Moses did not leave the camp. NKJ Numbers 14:44 But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop; nevertheless, neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp. NRS Numbers 14:44 But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, even though the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, had not left the camp. went up heedlessly: Nu 15:30 De 1:43 the ark: Nu 10:33 1Sa 4:3-11 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JEHOVAH WENT NOT WITH THEM! But - Term of contrast. Here is another terrible change of direction! Moses warned, but they went! Incredible! They went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country - Heedlessly (aphal) has the basic meaning of "swelling, puffed up, or lifted up" figuratively picturing to be proud, to presume. It describes carrying on an act of presumption, arrogance, against the best advice. In the only other use it refers to a person who has become too audacious, proud (Hab. 2:4). The picture is of a person with their head held high or one having a swollen head, analogous to our modern idiom accusing someone of having "the big head". This is someone who is thinking higher of himself then he ought to think (cf Ro 12:3). In Nu14:44 Israel had "the big head" and so went up heedlessly (hif imperfect 3masc plural), with presumption, acting arrogantly and haughtily in complete disregard for Moses' clear warning not to do so The foolish Israelites remind me of Samson whose hair had been cut off by Delilah in Judges 16 She said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. 21 Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison. (Judges 16:20-21+) Neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp - "The ark moved only with the removal of the cloud, and Moses moved only with the ark; so that those who did advance did it on their own responsibility, and in direct opposition to the tokens of the divine will." (Bush) They were accompanied by NEITHER Yahweh (Ark) or their leader Moses! How foolish could they be! The ark in other texts led Israel into battle (cf 1Sa 4:1-22). Here it remains in the camp, as a witness to Yahweh’s absence from their obstinance and stupidity! They must not have been listening with Moses "sang" his "song of the ark" in Numbers 10:35 Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, “Rise up, O LORD! And let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.” FSB - ark of the covenant of The ark, which served as the throne of Yahweh, was supposed to accompany the people in battle to ensure victory (10:35–36). This is why, later on, the Philistines will think it is a good idea to steal the ark, although they soon learn otherwise (1 Sam 5) Brian Bell -How fickle is human nature! One day the nation was mourning because of their plight, and the next day they were recklessly trying to accomplish God’s work apart from God’s will and God’s blessing. They thought that because they had confessed their sin, God would change His mind and give them victory. The people had acted stubbornly like the mule, & now they acted impetuously like the horse. (Ps.32:8 Do not be like the horse or the mule) The whole venture was presumption on their part; they were livin by chance not by faith. How many Christians today realize their failings and then try to make up for them in fleshly activities that only lead to discouragement and defeat? All the Israelites could do was, accept God’s judgment & surrender to His will.. Far better to wander in the wilderness in the will of God than to fight a losing battle out of the will of God.. The carnal mind cannot serve God; it is timid when it should be bold, & bold when it should be timid. It advances when it should stand still; & it stands still when it should advance. TSK Note - This miserable people a short time ago, thought that, though Omnipotence was with them, they could not conquer and possess the land! Now they imagine, that though God himself go not with them, yet they shall be sufficient to drive out the inhabitants, and take possession of their country! Man is ever supposing he can do all things, or do nothing: he is therefore sometimes presumptuous, and at other times in despair. Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah. BGT Numbers 14:45 καὶ κατέβη ὁ Αμαληκ καὶ ὁ Χαναναῖος ὁ ἐγκαθήμενος ἐν τῷ ὄρει ἐκείνῳ καὶ ἐτρέψαντο αὐτοὺς καὶ κατέκοψαν αὐτοὺς ἕως Ερμαν καὶ ἀπεστράφησαν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν NET Numbers 14:45 So the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country swooped down and attacked them as far as Hormah. NLT Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in those hills came down and attacked them and chased them back as far as Hormah. ESV Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah. NIV Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah. KJV Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah. YLT Numbers 14:45 And the Amalekite and the Canaanite who are dwelling in that mountain come down and smite them, and beat them down -- unto Hormah. LXE Numbers 14:45 And Amalec and the Chananite that dwelt in that mountain came down, and routed them, and destroyed them unto Herman; and they returned to the camp. ASV Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekite came down, and the Canaanite who dwelt in that mountain, and smote them and beat them down, even unto Hormah. CSB Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that part of the hill country came down, attacked them, and routed them as far as Hormah. NKJ Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah. NRS Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them, pursuing them as far as Hormah. the Amalekites: Nu 14:43 Ex 17:16 De 1:44 32:30 Jos 7:5,11,12 Hormah: Nu 21:3 Jdg 1:17 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Deuteronomy 1:44 “The Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do, and crushed you from Seir to Hormah. MOSES' PROPHECY OF DISASTER (HORMAH) FULFILLED Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down - "Under the denomination of Canaanites are included also the Amorites, as we learn from Deut. 1:44, “And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.” (Bush) NET Note on Beat them - The verb used here means “crush by beating,” or “pounded” them. The Greek text used “cut them in pieces.” and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah - The pagan enemies chased the Jewish army over 100 miles north, as far as Hormah. (See parallel description in Dt 1:44) - Hormah is a fitting name for this location because Hormah” means “destruction." It seems to be a bit of divine "poetic justice!" Horman is derived from haram which means to ban or destroy utterly which is sadly what happened to those who obstinately refused Moses' warning! Bush - And smote them, and discomfited them. The latter term is peculiarly expressive, as it occurs in the following passage, Is. 30:14, “And he shall break it as the breaking of the potter’s vessel, which is broken in pieces.” Deut. 9:21, “And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust.” It implies, therefore, a complete routing and breaking to pieces. Beat down (03807)(kathath) means to beat, crush by beating This term is used in reference to the destruction of the golden calf (Deut. 9:21); and in the eschatological hope of hammering swords into plowshares (Isa. 2:4; Mic. 4:3). It can also be used figuratively for destroying an enemy (Dt. 1:44) and in this passage of the enemy destroying Israel! Gilbrant - The verb is used in a number of contexts. Several occurrences have to do with the destruction of images, either idols (e.g., the golden calf, Deut. 9:21; pagan idols, 2 Chr. 34:7; Mic. 1:7) or things which function in the same fashion (e.g., the bronze serpent of Moses, 2 Ki. 18:4). Symbolically, the destruction of an image attests to the impotency of the deity who is supposed to indwell in the object. The supernatural quality of the serpent of Moses, personified and deified by the Judeans, was discredited by its pulverization in the course of a purge of idolatry during the reign of Hezekiah. In sacrificial contexts, this term is used once. Animals with crushed testicles are prohibited from being offered to Yahweh (Lev. 22:24f). The beating of implements of war into implements of agriculture (Isa. 2:4; Mic. 4:3) and its obverse (Joel 3:10) assigns antithetical usages of the intended purposes of implements. War demands mustering of local people for duty; armies use fields for tactical purposes to gain position; and they destroy them as they move on. It is usually not possible to continually perform agricultural tasks during war. Peace is associated with prosperity, as not only is the land not ravaged, but the entirety of the workforce is present for labor. The verb is also used in a number of contexts to express military defeat. Generally, this defeat is a direct result of judgment. Israel suffered defeat at the hands of the Canaanites (Num. 14:45; Deut. 1:44), and will do so in the face of Yahweh himself (2 Chr. 15:6; Zech. 11:6). The nations will fall before Yahweh's righteous servant, David (Ps. 89:23). Yahweh will avenge his people by breaking the gates of their oppressors, symbolic of a city without protection, at the mercy of its invaders (Isa. 24:12). Job 4:20 employs the verb in the course of a metaphor for human frailty. Eliphaz declared that human righteousness is not possible, for it is not even accomplished by the messengers nor by the angels of Yahweh. Humans are composed of clay, "whose foundation is in the dust," and are temporal beings whose existence is inferior to the apparently eternal functionaries of Yahweh. Eliphaz charged that Job's claim of righteousness was an impossible one, given human limitations. (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Kathath - 17x - battered(1), beat(2), beat them down(1), broke in pieces(1), broken in pieces(1), crush(1), crushed(4), defeated(1), hammer(2), shattered(1), smashed(1), strike(1). Lev. 22:24; Num. 14:45; Deut. 1:44; Deut. 9:21; 2 Ki. 18:4; 2 Chr. 15:6; 2 Chr. 34:7; Job 4:20; Ps. 89:23; Isa. 2:4; Isa. 24:12; Isa. 30:14; Jer. 46:5; Joel 3:10; Mic. 1:7; Mic. 4:3; Zech. 11:6 Wise Words from Warren Wiersbe in conclusion - The entire experience at Kadesh-Barnea teaches us that there is no substitute for faith in God’s promises and obedience to His commandments. Faith is simply obeying God in spite of how we feel, what we see, or what we think might happen. When God’s people trust and obey, the Lord delights in doing wonders for them, because they glorify His name. The agnostic American newspaper editor Henry L. Mencken defined faith as “an illogical belief in the occurrence of the impossible.” Mark Twain wrote that faith was “believing what you know ain’t so.” Both were wrong. Evangelist D.L. Moody said that “real true faith is man’s weakness leaning on God’s strength.” It’s taking God at His Word and proving it by obeying what He tells us to do. That’s where Israel failed. (Be Counted) Let’s not follow their example! Some Questions to Ponder (adapted from Precept Upon Precept study of Numbers - lesson 2) Are you quick to accept something simply because it is what the crowd thinks or feels, or do you have another standard Are you quick to join the crowd in condemning a leader with whom others are suddenly uncomfortable even though he has been an example of integrity? Are you quick to believe something you hear and then grumble? Have your children suffered because you spent years in rebellion against God and His Word? Do you keep calm in the face of difficulty or distressful reports because you take God at His Word and rest in His promise that it will all work together for good and He will be your covenant defender? Are you like Moses who cared more for God's glory than his own? When you are in a trial, are you quick to groan "Why didn't I just die before all this happened?" or "Now what will become of us all?" Do you think you can willfully disobey God, confess that you did sin, and then expect to have everything just the way it was before?