S) "56 And as I plan to do to them, so I will do to you."
Numbers 33:56 (NASB)
O) The Israelites were on the brink of entering the Promised Land. They were receiving specific instructions about how to proceed into their new lands. They were told in no uncertain terms, to make no peace with the previous inhabitants, and to destroy all of their idols and altars. God warned them in the previous verse, that the remaining inhabitants (not driven out) would become a serious pain to them - and then came the verse above. This verse is short, but it actually reveals a lot. It shows us first of all, that God's will for bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land was as much about judgment of those inhabitants ("I plan to do to them") as it was about blessing Israel. These were not innocent people that God was expelling. The next thing this short verse reveals, is that God sees sin the same for everyone, regardless of nationality, association, creed, or color. Knowing who the LORD is, is not the same as following His ways. These were God's chosen people, but if they were not willing to obey, they would suffer the same fate as the previous inhabitants. Their refusal to turn from their sins would eventually cause their own exile, and another axe of the LORD's choosing would execute judgment (see Isaiah 10:1-19).
A) It is important for me to remember that the LORD sees all sins the same, regardless of who did the sinning. In Christian culture, sometimes the serious nature of sin is lost amid myriad messages of grace and mercy. While it is vital to remember that the LORD has already been gracious in His offering of Jesus, and He has provided a way for mercy, it is not like He simply decided not to execute justice. This is so crucial to remember: the wrath and righteous justice of God were still executed, and will still be executed. For the unrepentant, that judgment is still coming. For the repentant believer, that judgment was poured out upon Jesus. The penalty for sin did not evaporate, it shifted. This is the powerful message of the gospel. The verse above, that same line could have been spoken to Jesus Christ, before He was born to Mary. God planned to execute His righteous wrath against me, and instead put it on Jesus.
P) Father, I am overwhelmed by Your love and grace and mercy toward me. Reading through the Old Testament is such a clear message of how You view sin. Remind me of the sever nature of sin, and the violent, final nature of Your wrath. Forgive me for my sins, Lord. Give me the conviction, strength, and boldness to confess and repent from every form of sin. Open my eyes and ears to recognize sinful areas of my life, and sinful areas in my heart. Be glorified in my life, through the grace, mercy, and love You have shown me. Help me to reflect those same things to other people in my life, to lovingly convey the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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