EXPLORE THE BIBLE SERIES:
Will your faith allow you to
follow God to victory?
___
Numbers 20:3-4, 11-12; 21:4-8, 21-24
___By Mark Bumpus
___First Baptist Church, Mineral Wells
___In "The Curtain Rises," Virginia Wolff recounts the thrilling history of England. She marches through the nation's struggles, defeats and victories. The last paragraph begins, "Now the curtain rises ..." At first it seems so out of place. After such a history, would it not be more appropriate to write, "Now the curtain falls?"
___Then you get her point. She is saying: "This is your history. Now you are on the stage. The spotlight is on you. It is your turn! For you, the curtain rises!"
___At this juncture in the history of Israel, the curtain rises on a new generation. All who were age 20 or more at the time of the 10 spies' negative report (14:29-30) had died in the 
wilderness. The torch had been passed. As John Traylor writes, (1) the new generation of Israelites was on the scene; (2) Israel's wanderings were over; (3) the new generation "had cradled in their arms the heads of their parents as the old generation passed off the scene in judgment for their unbelief"; and (4) the "youngsters" possessed some of the same faith problems of their parents (20:3; 21:5). There were obstacles to overcome as they readied themselves to enter the Promised Land.
___ Rebellious--"Like father, like son!" (Numbers 20:3-4;11-12). The new generation profited little from the 40 years of discipline that excluded their fathers from the Promised Land. Moses got mad, spoke "rashly" (Psalm 106:33), had an embittered spirit because these "youngsters" were grumbling and rebellious against God. Seeking water, he angrily struck the rock twice at Meribah. He did the right thing in the wrong way. Water came forth, but Moses and Aaron seemed to credit the miracle to their own human energy. God blocked their entrance into the Promised Land (20:12). Mature leaders fail at times.
___ Impatient--"How much farther, Dad?" (Numbers 21:4-8). Like children cooped up on a long car trip, the Israelites complained about the distance (21:4) and the food (21:5)--It wasn't McDonald's! Impatience set in. Open complaints against God were expressed. He pulled the car off the side of the road (Sorry, just a flashback!) ... God sent fiery serpents, whose bites produced a burning sensation. (Sounds like a belt to me!--Oops, another flashback!) In the wilderness, it was fatal. However, if you repented and looked to the bronze snake, you survived. (And didn't have to hitchhike!) Today, the one who looks in obedience to Christ shall not perish, but "have eternal life" (John 3:14-15).
___ Victorious--"Whatever you say, Dad!" (Numbers 21:21-24a). The new generation began showing flashes of obedience. Like children coming to understand that their father has some sense, they came to understand that God's will was best for them. Consequently, fighting with obedience in the battle against Sihon, they were victorious and "took possession" of the land with a spirit like Caleb's (13:30). Obstacles can be overcome with God's help.
___We stand ready to enter the "promised land" of a new millennium and a new century. The curtain is rising. How shall it be with you as we enter 2000? Shall you be rebellious, impatient ... or, with God's help, victorious?
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