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Commentary on "From Complaints to Apostasy"

STEVE PITCHER

 

Day 6: Thursday, October 29, 2009

 

The author is absolutely correct into today’s lesson that the primary sin of the Israelites was their desire to return to Egypt. The quote by Ellen White is unnecessary. Why go to a “lesser light” when we have Scripture? The passages speak for themselves.

Some of the words that she adds that are not included in the Biblical passages are words such as: “insane mob,” and “suddenly the stones dropped from their hands, a hush fell upon them, and they shook with fear. God had interposed to check their murderous design. The glory of His presence, like a flaming light, illuminated the tabernacle . . . and none dared continue their resistance.” These words do nothing to express the meaning of the scriptures, but seem to be terms similar to those used by writers of fiction to impress the reader with the intensity and anxiety of the situation. We do not need that. The words of the Bible are clear.

The people rebelled. They wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb. Moses again interceded for the people. The Lord says, “I have pardoned them according to your word.” (Num. 14:20) The Lord punishes those who have transgressed and all those of that generation, but promises the next generation to enter the Promised Land. The passage ends with a brief account of an attack by the Amalekites and Caananites.

Most of us, if we are honest, have wanted to go back to “Egypt.” The desires of the flesh are strong. But the Spirit of the Lord is omnipotent. In one verse, Jude summarizes for us these passages from Numbers. He says, “Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.” (Jude 5.)

Jude summarizes the understanding of these things for the Christian by saying:

These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage. 17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

Let us learn to bear the burdens of our fellow believers who desperately want to return to “Egypt.” Let us pray for them in, have mercy on doubters, saving others by snatching them out of the fires of their fleshly desires with mercy and fear.

And let us continue to praise God our Savior, who will “make [us] to stand in the presence of His glory blameless and with great joy.” This should be the lesson learned from the passages in Numbers.

 

Summary

  1. The lesson author correctly identifies the desire to return to Egypt as the most serious of the sins of the Israelites.
  2. Our desires to return to “Egypt” (our fleshly, worldly desires and lusts) are our most serious sins that can separate us from God.
  3. Jesus, like Moses (only eternally better!) intercedes for us “forever.” As it says in Romans 8:33-34, “Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”
  4. We have the “greater light” (the Bible.) THEREFORE, we do not need a “lesser light.” If the light is “lesser” than the Bible, we must turn from it. Beware of fictional words designed to excitedly draw the reader in, when those words are not found in the Biblical account.
  5. Read the short book of Jude to see the dealings of God with his people in the wilderness as well as the promises he has given us in his Son, Jesus.

 

GO TO DAY 7

 

Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised October 22, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

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