Daily Thought

Jehovah’s answer to the prayer of Moses did not refer to the first of Moses’ appeals. The concerns Moses had, that if Jehovah carried out His promise to destroy the people will in some way damage His reputation in the eyes of the heathen,did not concern God. The Lord will never sacrifice His righteousness and justice for a reputation. If His glory is to fill the whole earth, His justice cannot be withheld.

The Prayer for Pardon. Moses had a large appreciation of the greatness and glory of God. He knew the Lord to be long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and not at all clearing the guilty. He knew the Lord visited iniquity, even to the third and fourth generations, v.18. His confidence in the Lord was undiminished even in the face of unbelieving rebellion. Out of his personal knowledge of Jehovah he cried, ‘Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy’. Moses owned it was not the first time forgiveness had come to God’s people. God forgave them repeatedly since leaving Egypt. Then he asked God to pardon them again, knowing God’s forgiveness to be infinite.

Pardon Granted. God responded to the appeal of Moses and gave him a full answer, saying, ‘I have pardoned’. Because My glory is going to fill the earth, My justice must act. These people have tempted Me ten times, and have not hearkened to My voice!

The first announcement of judgement was death and disinheritance. Then, because of their unbelief, all aged twenty years and over at the first census would forfeit the land. Only Caleb, because he followed the Lord fully, and Joshua would enter the land, vv. 24, 30.

Fulfilment of Judgement. The Lord told Moses and Aaron what judgement was coming upon the people. Unmistakable evidence that God will fulfil His word was at hand. The Lord struck dead with the plague, those spies who brought up an evil report to the congregation. The people mourned greatly,but mourning would not redeem them now. They confessed, but gone was the hour for confession. Moses’ intercession resulted in divine pardon being granted, but justice would come upon the instigators of the murmuring.