Study notes

Numbers 14

Introducing NumbersWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

11:1–14:45 Section

Many of the Israelites spoke against God and didn’t obey him. They complained about how hard life was and about their food. They complained about Moses as their leader. Even Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses.

The complaining showed that God’s people didn’t want God to be their God. They wished that God hadn’t saved them from being slaves in Egypt. They didn’t accept the ways that God had saved them and provided for them.

God brought judgement against them for refusing to accept him. He sent a fire, plague and disease among the Israelites. Yet God didn’t destroy all of them. He was patient with his people and forgave them.

God shared the power of the Holy Spirit with 70 leaders. He did this so that they could help Moses. But God made something clear about Moses. Moses was close to him like no other human being was.

Moses sent 12 spies to look at the land of Canaan. Of the 12, only Joshua and Caleb urged the people to obey God. But the Israelites refused to enter Canaan. That happened at Kadesh Barnea.

This meant that they were saying no to who God is. They were saying no to God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

As a result the Israelites would wander for 40 years in the desert. They would wander until those who had refused to enter Canaan died. After that, their children would receive the covenant blessing of the land.

13:1–14:38

Twelve spies explored the fertile land of Canaan and found strong enemies defending it. Earlier chapters show Israel's disobedience, hinting at future failures. The Israelites did not have the obedience, courage, or faith to capture the land. So, the Lord made them spend 40 years in the Wilderness of Sinai. That generation did not receive their inheritance in the promised land.

14:1–45

The people rejected the testimony of the faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb. Then rebellion spread throughout the community. Moses intervened to save Israel from total destruction. Those who disobeyed God died during a 40-year journey in the wilderness.

14:3–4

The threats they complained about were real, but the Israelites should have trusted the Lord. In the ancient Near East, victors often took wives and children as plunder after battles.
go back to Egypt: The Israelites quickly forgot their slavery and the difficulties of the wilderness (Exodus 2:23–24; Numbers 11:1).

14:5

Moses and Aaron bowed down to show humility, fear, grief, and anguish.

14:6

Joshua and Caleb tried to stop the rebellion and prevent God's punishment. They tore their clothing to show their sorrow.

14:7–9

Joshua and Caleb realized that Israel's lack of courage and criticism of Moses and Aaron were acts of rebellion against the Lord. They knew the consequences of this rebellion.
the LORD is with us: This was the source of their confidence (compare Romans 8:31).

14:10

Joshua and Caleb encouraged trust in God, which led to more opposition. The protests against the leaders turned into threats against the faithful spies. All the Israelites' objections stopped suddenly. This was because the glory (Hebrew kabod) of the LORD appeared at the Tent of Meeting, the site of divine communication (see Exodus 24:15–18; Ezekiel 1).

14:11

God seemed amazed that Israel still did not trust him. This was despite his miraculous rescue from slavery and provision for their needs in the wilderness (see Deuteronomy 4:32–40; Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13).

14:12

God is patient, but he will not tolerate open rebellion from his people (see Exodus 32:7–10).

In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews mentions this event to strengthen the faith of Christians whose trust in the gospel was weakening (Hebrews 3:7–19; 12:3, 25; see also Psalm 95:8–11).

14:13–25

Moses spoke to God on behalf of his people. He reminded God that his reputation related to Israel's. He pleaded for God to continue his faithfulness.

14:17–18

Moses had used this argument before when he asked for forgiveness for Israel's rebellion (Exodus 32:10–14). Moses knew God would still punish the Israelites (Deuteronomy 7:9–10).

14:19

Since leaving Egypt, Israel’s history had been marked by repeated transgressions (acts of disobedience; chapters 11–12; Exodus 15:22–27; 17:1–7; 32:1–14; Leviticus 10).

14:20–25

Because Moses argued with God, God forgave Israel's rebellion and did not destroy them. Yet, the stubborn generation of adults would never see the promised land.

14:22

The people did not obey or have faith because they refused to listen to God's voice. They had seen the Lord's glory and miraculous signs (see study note on 14:10; Exodus 4:29–31; 7:1–11:10; 14:15–31; 16:1–17:13).

14:23–25

After leaving the promised land, God told the Israelites to march in the opposite direction.
The Red Sea could refer to bodies of water on either side of the Sinai Peninsula (the Gulf of Aqaba or the Gulf of Suez).

14:28

Israel’s disobedience brought on the consequences they feared would come from obeying.

14:34

each day: Compare 13:25.
My alienation: Compare Ezekiel 5:8; 21:3.

14:39–45

The threat of divine punishment for their sins caused the people of Israel to feel grief. Yet, their wills remained rebellious, and they disobeyed the Lord's command again (14:25). Caleb and Joshua's based their initial confidence on God's promise to be with them (14:9). Yet, God would not fight with the Israelites until all the rebels had died.