Browse Bible Study Resources

WHEN GOD ANSWERS

Text: Numbers 14:20-45
17 August 2009

WHEN GOD ANSWERS

1. God’s answer to Moses’ prayer
“Then the LORD said…” Numbers 14:20a

a) Direct response to Moses’ prayer

b) Immediate response

2. According to one set of principles- Prayers offered
“I have pardoned, according to your word” Numbers 14:20b

a) According to your word

i) Our prayers count with God

ii) Our word counts with the Lord

b) “I have pardoned”

i) God’s mercy will be extended

ii) Pardon will be given to the innocent

3. According to another set of principles- God’s will

a) “But truly, as I live” Numbers 14:21b

i) “But” offers a contrast

ii) It introduces a different perspective

iii) Another set of principles is being introduced

b) “Truly, as I live”

i) God’s statement as an oath

ii) This oath would be kept

4. The principle of the glory of God
“All the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD”
< Numbers 14:21 (Cf. Malachi 1)

WHERE MOSES’ PRAYER WAS NOT ANSWERED

1. The Men excluded from God’s pardon

a) Who had seen God’s glory Numbers 14:22a

b) Who had seen the signs of God in Egypt Numbers 14:22b

c) And the signs in the wilderness Numbers 14:22c

d) Who put God to the test ten times Numbers 14:22d

e) Who had not heeded God’s voice Numbers 14:22e

f) Those who rejected the Lord Numbers 14:23b

g) Those who despised the Land Numbers 14:31c

h) Those who were guilty of faithlessness (infidelity) Numbers 14:33b, 34

i) Those who are gathered against the Lord Numbers 14:35

2. Two Judgments pronounced

a) Against the congregation of Israel

i) They shall not see the Promised Land Numbers 14:23a

ii) They are excluded from the blessings of God (in Promised Land)

iii) The complainers are pronounced “evil” Numbers 14:27

iv) The complainers would die in the wilderness Numbers 14:29a, 32

v) Age specific: “twenty years and above” Numbers 14:29b

vi) Forty years sentence (in the wilderness) Numbers 14:33

b) Against the Ten Spies
They died by a plague Numbers 14:37

3. Exceptions

a) Caleb the son of Jephunneh Numbers 14:30a

b) Joshua the son of Nun Numbers 14:30b

c) The little ones Numbers 14:31

THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION

1. Upon hearing the pronouncement of God Numbers 14:39

2. The Presumptuous party (of the congregation of Israel)

a) They presumed that mourning greatly was sufficient Numbers 14:39b

b) They presumed that confession of sin was enough Numbers 14:40d

c) They presumed that they could easily conquer the land Numbers 14:40c

WARNING CONCERNING THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION

1. That it was transgression against the commandment of the Lord Numbers 14:41a
2. That this attempt would result in disastrous defeat Numbers 14:41b

3. The Lord’s Presence would not be with them in battle Numbers 14:43d

SEPARATION FROM THE PRESUMPTUOUS

1. Moses

2. The Ark of the Lord would remain in the Camp Numbers 14:44

DEFEAT OF THE PRESUMPTUOUS

1. Victory of the Amalekites and the Canaanites Numbers 14:45a

2. Defeat of the Presumptuous party Numbers 14:45b