And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them. For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed. (Deut. 2:14-15)
The children of Israel were still the people of God whom He had redeemed out of Egypt. Their forebears may have rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea and refused to go in and claim the land which God had promised unto them, but He still had His thoughts plans and purposes in using His people to accomplish His will. He worked through His people to accomplish judgment upon those who opposed Him as the Israelites moved where He directed. God had told the previous generation that they would die in the wilderness and Moses gave an account of their travels so that the next generation would learn their lesson and not be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the previous generation that God would never leave them nor forsake them, nor could He lead them into folly or destruction if they followed Him and did His will.
Everything in the Scriptures is given to us by God and is good for teaching us of Him, opposing the thoughts of the world, correcting our bad actions, and instructing us in the ways of righteousness. The examples of the Israelites as they left Egypt, rebelled against God, wandered through the wilderness, and finally entered the Promised Land, are given that we might not only see our need for Christ but also learn from their ways. The God who provided for all their needs during their pilgrimage, gave them victory over their enemies, and kept them safe as they followed His will, is the same God who put on flesh and gave Himself for our sins that we might be reconciled with the Father and made righteous because of our repentance of our sins and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. God wants whosoever will to come to Him on His terms and be born again that He might restore the relationship which was broken in Adam and redeem fallen man from the bondage of sin unto Himself by grace through faith.
While we are here God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet