The Book of Numbers -- Rebellion

Numbers is a book of rebellion. The book recounts the wilderness wanderings and the constant complaints and rebellions of Israel. There are no fewer than ten instances of Israel complaining or rebelling against God. They complained about the wilderness where God had taken them, the food that God had given to them, the leaders God had appointed for them, and the goodness of God himself. They complained that the conquest would be too difficult, and then tried to take the land when God told them not to, and they allowed themselves to be led astray from the worship of God.

Israel’s grumbling and the consequences that followed should serve as a warning to us. In most instances of their rebellion, Israel was severely punished for her unfaithfulness; by fire, by plagues, by poisonous snakes. An entire generation was denied entry into the Promised Land because of their lack of faith and refusal to obey God. Moses himself was kept from leading the people into the Promised Land because of an act of prideful rebellion. How many blessings do we forfeit because we do not trust God and do what he has told us to do? How often do we anger God by not completely putting our faith in him? People prefer to put their trust in themselves, and this is pride. When a child disobeys their parents, it is usually because they believe that they have a greater understanding of a situation than their parents, and this is rebellion. When Israel disobeyed God’s commands, it was nearly always a situation where they figured they could care for themselves better than God could care for them, and disobedience to the command of God is sin. Sin against God is rebellion, and rebellious acts come from pride. Pride is the root of all sin.

So what are we to do about our prideful natures, that lead to rebellion and sin? The solution to pride is humility. Job and Moses and David and many others of deep faith questioned God, and God answered their questions, because the questions were asked in a spirit of humility. Even Jesus, in his darkest hours, questioned God, but he never questioned God’s goodness or holiness. The questions that Israel asked in the wilderness were not honest questions, but complaints. In their hearts, they had already decided that God didn’t have their best interests at heart. God does not seem to have a problem with his people asking questions; he has a problem with his people questioning his justice and mercy, his love and his providence. God does not allow his holiness to be called into question.

Humility allows us to be obedient. Obedience is not only following God’s commands, but an obedient spirit is faithful and trusting; one that says, “I want to do what God wants me to do.” Our obedience is a demonstration of our love for God. If we are obedient to our own desires, we are rebelling against God. If we are obedient to God, then we are keeping our own desires in check. Our loyalties are shown in our actions. Anyone can tell by what we do whether we are serving ourselves or serving God.

Paul says to the Colossians, “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Col 3:12). As a holy people, humility is a virtue to be grasped. Humility is not in man’s nature; we like to be right, and we like to feel powerful, and we like to think that we can manage life on our own. It takes a supernatural force, a relationship with God, to help us foster our humility. To be humble, we first need to be holy.

Holiness is a right relationship with God. Israel had God constantly in their presence, yet they generally did not have a right relationship with him. Their faith should have been confirmed not only by the pillars of fire and clouds that led them, and from the presence that hovered over the Tabernacle, but by the hand of God in every aspect of their lives. Their clothes didn’t wear out, they were never hungry or thirsty, and their enemies never had victory over them, save for when Israel sinned. But God is in our lives just as much today as he was then. They had the miracles of God, and we have inspired scripture. They had the presence of God physically leading them, and we have the Holy Spirit working in our lives, spiritually leading us. We are never alone. God is always with us and is always working on us and for us. If we believe this, we are less likely to try to handle life on our own. We are less likely to question God’s commands, and more likely to go where he is leading us – to be less like us, and more like our perfect example of humility, Jesus Christ.