Petitioning for Grace
Numbers 14 & 15
Ever tried convincing a negative person that life isn’t as bad as what they’re making it? Seems like Moses had his hands full with the Israelites, struggling to get them to understand they didn’t need to fear the people of the land the Lord had promised and wanted to give them. As the scouts pointed out, “…They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” Numbers 14:9 NLT But the Israelites continue acting like spoiled brats, and God gets angry and wants to wipe them out.
But don’t ya love how Moses petitions for the people using logic? He basically tells God it’s not a good idea to annihilate His people. After all, others would say: ”The Lord was not able to bring them into the land He swore to give them, so He killed them in the wilderness.’” He then begs God, “Please, Lord, prove that Your power is as great as You have claimed….. In keeping with Your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.” Numbers 14:16-17, 19 NLT