The Way That God Leads

Numbers 21:And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who dwelt in the South, heard tell that Israel came by the way of Atharim; and he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. And Israel vowed a vow unto Jehovah, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. And Jehovah hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and the name of the place was called Hormah. And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

The Bible tells us that the footsteps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord. God chooses the way:

To go around the land of Edom: They had to go far out of their way because the Edomites refused them passage (Numbers 20:14-21). To go around the Edomites, they had to turn back towards the wilderness and away from Canaan. No wonder the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.

i. This was a discouraging situation, but it was also an opportunity to trust God. The same God who just gave them victory at Hormah and provided all their needs would also guide them through this setback.

b. The people spoke against God and against Moses: Israel’s new generation sounded like the old generation that died in the wilderness. If they continued in the steps of their fathers, the new generation would be no more able to conquer Canaan than the previous generation was.

i. One might say that in these early challenges the new generation’s behavior was worse than their fathers. In eight previous passages (Exodus 15:24, 16:2, 17:3; Numbers 12:1, 14:2, 16:3, 16:41, 20:2), the children of Israel were described as speaking against Moses. In those situations, Moses knew (Exodus 16:7-8) and the LORD knew (Numbers 14:27) that they were really speaking against God – but the people were not shameless enough to do it directly. Now they were bold enough because the people spoke against God and against Moses.

ii. This was a major problem. They were on the threshold of Canaan, closer to it than the previous generation of unbelief had been, and now they started to act with the same unbelief – or worse.

iii. “When the grumbling humour is on us we complain of anything and everything, as did these Israelites: they complained of God, they complained of Moses; they complained of the manna. They would have been ready to complain of Aaron; but, fortunately for him, he had been dead a month or so, and so they poured the more gall upon Moses. To men in this state nothing is right: nothing can be right.” (Spurgeon)

c. Our soul loathes this worthless bread: Like the generation of their fathers, this generation despised God’s provision of manna, calling it worthless bread. Their complaining against the “bread of heaven” (Psalm 78:23-24) was the sin of ingratitude against the God who miraculously sustained them in the wilderness.

i. “When a person’s heart is intent on rebellion and beset by discontent, even the best of gifts from the Lord can lose their savor; nothing will fully satisfy until the heart is made right.” (Cole)

The Intent of the Heart:

The concept of the "intent of the heart" is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the inner motivations and desires that drive human behavior. In Scripture, the heart is often seen as the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. The intent of the heart is crucial in understanding one's relationship with God, as it reveals the true nature of a person's faith and obedience. Biblical Understanding of the Heart In biblical terms, the heart is more than just the seat of emotions; it is the core of a person's identity and moral character. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse underscores the importance of the heart as the source of life and actions, emphasizing the need to protect and guide it according to God's will. God's Knowledge of the Heart The Bible teaches that God has perfect knowledge of the human heart. In 1 Samuel 16:7 , the LORD tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This passage highlights that while humans may judge based on external factors, God discerns the true intentions and motivations within. The Heart's Role in Faith and Obedience The intent of the heart is pivotal in one's faith journey. Romans 10:10 states, "For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved." This verse illustrates that genuine faith originates in the heart, leading to justification and salvation. Similarly, obedience to God is not merely about external compliance but stems from a heart aligned with His commandments. The Deceptive Nature of the Heart Scripture also warns of the heart's potential for deceit. Jeremiah 17:9 declares, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse serves as a caution that the heart, in its fallen state, can lead individuals astray, necessitating divine intervention and transformation. Transformation of the Heart The Bible emphasizes the need for a transformed heart to align with God's purposes. Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This transformation is a work of God, enabling believers to live in accordance with His will. The Role of the Word of God The Word of God plays a crucial role in discerning the intent of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This passage highlights the power of Scripture to reveal and judge the true motivations within. Prayer and the Heart Prayer is a means by which believers can align their hearts with God's will. Psalm 139:23-24 is a prayer of David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting." This prayer reflects a desire for God to examine and purify the heart, ensuring that its intentions are pleasing to Him. Conclusion The intent of the heart is a central theme in understanding one's spiritual condition and relationship with God. Through Scripture, believers are called to examine their hearts, seek transformation, and align their intentions with God's will, recognizing that He alone fully understands and judges the heart.

Because they Spoke against God and Moses:

The Lord Sent fiery serpents among the people: many died, and they appealed to Moses to seek God on their behalf: Moses make a serpent and set it on a Pole, and whoever Look upon it shall live;

I heard our Lord say “ As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must I the son of man be lifted up; Deliverence is always up up up up