Numbers 10-14, 20-21, 25, 27
Deuteronomy 1-2, 4, 6, 8-9, 29-32, 40

We had some very specific rules in our house growing up. Rules like this: you have to unload the dishwasher and do your homework before you watch TV or if you make the mess, you clean it up. One rule that was definitely non-negotiable was showing respect to each person in the house.

One time, after a long day at school, I remember coming home and getting ready to deliver the newspaper. My brother, Jon, said he could finish delivering to his houses faster than I could. I said no, but he said yes. Again and again we went back and forth. It made me mad! In this word war, I ended up saying something I shouldn’t have: “I hate you!”

Not only did that not follow the rule of respecting others, but my dad was in the kitchen and heard it. Yikes! I got in big trouble. After a long discussion, I was grounded and had to say sorry to Jon, but everyone forgave each other and moved on.

Have you ever said or done something that you wish you could take back? What happened because of what you said?

After wandering in the desert for some time, Israel is ready for a place to settle down. They would like a land of their own to call home. Moses sends in twelve spies to check out the land promised to them by God. After the spies explore the area, they came back with fruits and stories of a great place to live. But when asked if they should go into the land, the group did not agree. In fact ten spies said that the land was unable to be entered into because of how strong the people were. This negative perspective started fighting among all the Israelite people. Then Israel went back to their famous catchphrase: “Have you brought us out of Egypt to die?” (Num. 14)

It wasn’t just Israel who didn’t trust God. Moses, the leader of this whole group had issues too. The Israelite people needed water while they were in the desert, Moses goes to God to ask for help. God tells Moses to speak to a rock and water will come out of it. But Israel keeps complaining and Moses gets upset. Instead of talking to the rock, he hits it twice with his staff. Water still comes out but God reminds Moses that that wasn’t what He told him to do. (Num. 20)

Israel was punished for their complaining: they would be stuck in the Desert for twenty more years! 

Moses was punished for disobeying God: He would never be able to enter the Promised land!

Do you think it was fair that God punished Israel and Moses for disobeying what He said? Was the punishment too harsh? Think even deeper: Can a God who punishes still be loving?

The cool thing about God in this story is this: God forgives Israel and God forgives Moses. Does that mean they get off the hook and everything goes forward normal in life? No, it doesn’t. God forgives their sin, but there are consequences for their actions.

What’s the good news for us in the story? God forgives you when you do things you shouldn’t! Yes, there will still be consequences when you do something wrong. But God looks at you when you ask for forgiveness and he says: I love you and you are forgiven through Jesus Christ.

The Bible Says it like this: “Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.” (Isa. 30:18)

God loves you. He loves you so much that he can’t leave you where you are at, stuck in sin and living against Him. His love can be felt in his forgiveness, and we are reminded of how much better life with God is when we experience consequences. When we trust in the Lord and the work he has done, and obey his commands, we can be filled with happiness, joy, and direction for our lives!