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A New Testament Equivalent On Entering The Promised Land

A New Testament Equivalent On Entering The Promised Land

Numbers 14:20-23   Kevin E. Jesmer    6-18-16

promised land

Look at verses 20-23, 20 The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.” (NIV)

The people of the Israel had no excuse. They had a clearer view of God than any people before them, for they had his word, his representatives (Moses) and his physical presence. Their refusal to follow God after seeing his miraculous deeds and listening to his words, made the judgment against them more severe. They really had no excuse. In light of all that God revealed, the spiritually healthy response would be to humbly submit to God with a heart full of reverence and thanksgiving. But yet they grumbled and rebelled.

In verses 20-23 we can learn about the forgiveness of God and at the same time the holiness of God and how essential it is to have the right relationship with him. There is one eternal truth, God forgives sinners. He states it very clearly in verse 20a, which says, “I have forgiven them.” God is truly a very graceful God.

But he is also a just God. There was still going to be punishment dolled out to the Israelites for their mutinous actions. None of the ones who saw the plagues in Egypt would be able enter the Promised Land.

God was very serious about sin. God does forgive, but he may or may not save us from the consequences of our sins. An alcoholic may be forgiven by God, but he still suffers from liver failure. A murderer may be forgiven. But they will still have to spend time in prison if they are caught or a lifetime with a guilty conscience if they are not caught. We need to just trust the Lord, that he will work things out for the best and rest in that faith.

What does it mean to not enter into the Promised Land? Is there some modern day equivalent that parallels the Israelite’s experience? Let’s examine the characteristics of the Israelites entering this land.

The Promised Land was a region promised by God. It was a place where their wandering would end and where they could settle down and take root and grow as a nation.  There, they could have a hope and a future. It was a place where they could mature as a people of God, into a Kingdom of Priests and a holy nation as God intended for them. Even after entering the Promised Land they would still have to depose their enemies. It would take generations of fighting. It would be a place where God could work through them to bring glory to himself and to unfold his plan for world salvation, by sending the prophets; the word; and eventually, Jesus the Messiah. But it was not a place where their struggles would end.

Some Christians say that New Testament equivalent of the Premised Land is the land of rest, the eternal Kingdom of God. It is the final destination of our pilgrimage here on earth. It is where all believers, who have placed all of their hope, faith and trust in Jesus will spend eternity. For many, this is the equivalent of the Promised Land…or is it?

The Everlasting Kingdom of God is not exactly parallel to the Israelites passing into the Promised Land, for the Israelites were still in this world and they still would suffer. Then what is the equivalent?

It is a place of rest and at the same time a place of struggle. It is a place that, if you don’t enter in, you may not be headed to hell, but you are not where God wants you to dwell while living in this fallen world.

I think that the parallel, equivalent of the Promised Land has to do with dwelling in the right relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a place where the believer has experienced the grace and forgiveness of Jesus and they are following Jesus’ calling in their life. It is the place where you are in submission to God and you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is that happy place where you are confident you are dwelling in Christ, where God wants you to dwell, doing what God wants you to do. Jesus implores all his followers to enter into his rest. (Hebrews 4:1-11)

A person who is saved, but treats the Lord with contempt, does not loose their inheritance in the Kingdom of God, but they will loose their peace and rest in this life. If they are living in rebellion to God’s will and living in willful sin, how can they have peace within?

Entering into the right relationship with Jesus through faith is an imperative. When we are in Christ, living in his grace and submitting to the will of God in our lives, we can grow as a people of God, we can mature as a God as a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation. We can serve God’s purpose. God’s redemptive work can overflow though us, to others. We can enjoy God and our life in God, as we live in this world. But there to be certain there will be suffering and sacrifice, just as the Israelites experienced suffering and sacrifice even after entering into the Promised Land. But it is all part of God’s plan. He will surely mature and grow us and his holy people.

 




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