He Is

O. T. #331  "He Is"
July 29, 2014
Numbers 14-Part 4
The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.  Numbers 14:18

LET IT GLOW

How many times has God been patient, merciful, and forgiving towards me? Countless...And He is still...

Moses interceded for Israel to protect the Lord's reputation with the Egyptians, who would charge the Lord with inability to complete His deliverance of Israel and, thus, deny His power. Secondly, the Lord's loyal love was the basis on which the Lord could forgive His people. (MacArthur)

How did Moses describe the attributes of our God?
The LORD is:

• longsuffering,
• of great mercy,
• forgiving iniquity and transgression,
• not clearing the guilty,
• visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

Three things God had solemnly made a declaration of, which Moses here fastens upon, and improves for the enforcing of his petition.

1. The goodness of God's nature in general; that He is long-suffering, or slow to anger, and of great mercy; not soon provoked, but tender and compassionate towards offenders.
2. His readiness in particular to pardon sins of all sorts.
3. His unwillingness to proceed to extremity, even when He does punish.  (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible)

Don't we all need God's forgiveness, patience, and mercy?
His love never fail, never gives up, never runs out on me, as the song goes.

LET IT GROW

In verse 19, Moses asks God to pardon the iniquity of this people.
How does God answer?

• I have pardoned according to thy word. (verse 20)
• As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. (verse 21)
• The ten men of unbelief and the rest of Israel which provoked God and rebelled against Him, would not see the Promised Land, except Joshua and Caleb. (We will discuss tomorrow.)         

The men (10) who brought up an evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
(verse 37) So less than 8 weeks later, 10 of the 12 spies died.


LET IT GO

Intercede for those in rebellion against God's Word and will.

Keep believing His Word is true and He does what He says He will do.

Thank Him for His patience and mercy toward me; never forgetting it.