May 6

Numbers 14; Psalm 50; Isaiah 3-4; Hebrews 11

Daily Catechism

QUESTION 91: WHAT DOES EVERY SIN DESERVE?
Answer: Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come.
Scripture: Ephesians 5:6; Galatians 3:10; Proverbs 3:33; Psalm 11:6; Revelation 21:8.

Numbers 14

Led and motivated by the spies bringing the pessimistic report of their chances to return to the promised land (which Abraham was already in before he went to Egypt due to the plague), the people rebel and plot the choosing of a new leader and a return to Egypt (Num 14:4).  The Lord makes his presence known and he brings judgement.  Moses intercedes to reduce the judgement from death of the nation to death of the spies and wandering of the nation until the generation dies off in the wilderness.  This is a big event and this 40 years of wandering is a heavy judgement.  Only Caleb and Joshua will enter the promised land with those who are currently under 20 years old.  God’s timing is his own.  Moses appeals to the steadfast love of the LORD and to the preservation of the name of the LORD as his rationale for the forgiveness of Israel.  He does not offer up the great worthiness or dire need of the people but he makes a case on the glory of God.  May we never shrink back from trusting you to keep your promises O God and may we ever praise you for your sacrifice and the deliverance that you have brought in your Son.  Interestingly, a group dives into battle in some weird kind of reaction even after Moses tells them not to and that the LORD has spoken and they shall not enter the land for 40 years…these men die in the battle at the hand of the Amelikites and Canaanites.  Let us hear and listen to your instruction and let us value your Word O God.

Psalm 50

God is the perfect judge who needs nothing and who does not keep silent but who will speak judgement.  He is looking for our thanksgiving (Rom 1:21; Col 3:17) as an offering from the heart and he wants our obedience (Ps 50:14).  He wants our dependence (Ps 50:15).  He warns against those who walk in rebellion thinking that his promises apply to them (Ps 50:16-20).  God does not send judgement immediately (Rom 2:5) so let us not be fooled (Ps 50:21-22).  Thanksgiving and obedience are traits of the one whom God has given salvation…let us rejoice and give thanks!     

Isaiah 3-4

Here he speaks of judgement upon both Northern and Southern tribes and this is due to their speech and conduct being against the Lord as they defy his glorious presence.  How many people live like this where they claim him yet their speech and lifestyle deny him?  This is addressed in Titus and certainly John’s epistles.  Chapter 4 opens with what might be a picture of desolation where Israel's women are abandoned and looking for protection.  Then it switches to hope in describing what might be the grafting in of the natural branch in the millennial kingdom (Rom 11).  Alternatively the branch may be referring to Jesus (Jer 23:5).  So these chapters illustrate judgement that befalls the wicked and the righteous are sustained to survive and experience life in Jerusalem.  This can surely be reference to the tribulation and the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:12).

Hebrews 11

The opening of this chapter captures the point that is over and again illustrated by the examples of the faith of his children.  Those who trust the LORD have a future oriented hope that is founded in God’s omnipotent goodness and his resulting ability and intention to do exactly what he has said he will do.  They take him at his Word.  This is the kind of faith that God reckons as righteousness (Gen 15:6; Rom 4:3).  It is clarified here (Heb 11:7) that the faith itself is not the righteousness but it is merely what connects us to the righteousness of God (Rom 3:21-22).  Example after example is given and the point is not their faith as praiseworthy but they are a pile of witnesses attesting to the trustworthiness of God.  If all these can trust God in the face of impossible circumstances and difficulty, shouldn’t I?  We cannot please God without trusting him (Heb 11:6; Rom 14:23; 8;7-8).  Verse 6 seems to explain the elements of saving faith as 1.  Acknowledgment of God 2. Seeking of God (following, desiring)  3.  Trusting in his revelation (by the law and prophets and in his Son) 4.  Trusting that he judges righteously.  None of these people had a hope that was contained in the present place or circumstances (Heb 11:10; Rom 8:23-25).  Toward the end after verse 32 the writer explains the suffering that was endured on behalf of this trust in God’s omnipotence and goodness.  The world does not recognize that a simple trust in God to be who he says he is and to do what he says he will do is the greatest thing man can offer.  He closes with an acknowledgement that with all the examples given, they did not yet realize the full object of their hope.  God has designed to unite his church by the Spirit and this through the death of his Son to redeem us and this new covenant in Christ is the better thing and the unification of the body of Christ by his Spirit is the means by which they (faithful saints of old) shall not made perfect apart from us.


Soli Deo Gloria!