Fighting a Losing Battle

Numbers 14:39-45

Fighting a Losing Battle

Introduction: The amateur historians at the Daily Top 10 have compiled this list of some of the most famous and interesting American military battles: The Alamo, D-Day, Yorktown, Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Little Bighorn, Ironclads, Battle of the Bulge, & Iwo Jima. Neither of these battles were fought with defeat in mind. However, no one wants to fight a losing battle. It seems impossible for a Christian to fight a losing battle. When we live by scriptures that echo: “we are more than conquerors through Him,” “I can do all things through Christ…,” “there is nothing too hard for God,” or “no weapon formed against me shall prosper.” But let’s visit a group of people who really were fighting a losing battle. I would like to visit a place in scripture that clearly shows what it entails to fight a losing battle. Take a journey with me to the Old Testament Book of Numbers. By word count Numbers has 32,902 words, and it’s the largest book of the Pentateuch. This book, the fifth largest in the Old Testament, is divided into thirty-six chapters and 1,288 verses. The Book of Numbers can be summarized in the caption “Marching and Murmuring.”

Numbers is one of the five ‘books of Moses’. Moses is the central character, leading the Israelites throughout this period. ‘Numbers’ is almost a nickname, referring to the fact that people are counted both at the beginning and towards the end of the book.

The wilderness years are tough. The Israelites are often hungry and thirsty. At times they wish they were back in Egypt. There are frequent complaints about Moses’ leadership and even some attempts to overthrow him. In it all, God is faithful to his promise to protect and preserve his people. It is an aspect of his love for them that, on occasions, he disciplines his people severely. [Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 82.]

The immediate purpose of the book is to relate the history of God’s people from the time of the first census until the final encampment before they entered the Promised Land. The key thought in Numbers is discipline. Part of the schooling and discipline of Israel took place in Egypt. Another, and very different part, took place during the years of wandering in the wilderness. Freedom needs discipline as well as law (; ).

Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 82. immediate purpose of the book is to relate the history of God’s people from the time of the first census until the final encampment before they entered the Promised Land. The key thought in Numbers is discipline. Part of the schooling and discipline of Israel took place in Egypt. Another, and very different part, took place during the years of wandering in the wilderness. Freedom needs discipline as well as law (; ). The book centers around the nation of Israel. In Genesis the theme was the formation of the nation of Israel; in Exodus, the salvation of the nation; in Leviticus, the sanctification of the nation. The theme of Numbers is the education of the nation. The key passage is 14:29–30 where God sentenced an entire generation to wander in the wilderness for forty years because of their lack of faith. Through various punishments God was training his people for their special role in the scheme of redemption. We can see Israel’s fighting a losing battle through THEIR PSUEDO-REPENTANCE, THEIR REJECTION, AND THEIR REBELLION.

The book centers around the nation of Israel. In Genesis the theme was the formation of the nation of Israel; in Exodus, the salvation of the nation; in Leviticus, the sanctification of the nation. The theme of Numbers is the education of the nation. The key passage is 14:29–30 where God sentenced an entire generation to wander in the wilderness for forty years because of their lack of faith. God does not cancel his promises to the patriarchs, but he postpones them due the fear and lack of faith of this present generation.

Through various punishments God was training his people for their special role in the scheme of redemption. We can see Israel’s fighting a losing battle through THEIR PSUEDO-REPENTANCE, THEIR REJECTION, AND THEIR REBELLION.

I. Their Psuedo-Repentance (39-40) was indicative of fighting a losing battle.

· Israel had some problems. They refused to enter Canaan (14:1-10)

· God passed judgment on Israel (14:11-38).

o Joshua & Caleb were the only ones who would go to the Promised Land. (14:37-39)

o (39) When Moses reported these words the people were overcome with grief.

· (40) “We have sinned,” but then going to a place that God told them not to go (cp. 14:25).

o How can you repent and then turn around and do the same thing. Is that really repentance?

II. Their Rejection (41-43) was indicative of fighting a losing battle.

· It’s a losing battle when a person goes against God’s command!

· Moses clearly says, (41) “you won’t succeed.” Many persons are not succeeding because they are rejecting the Lord’s command and direction.

· Moses was clear that the Lord was not with them, and they would be defeated! (41-43)

I. Their Rebellion (44-45) was indicative of fighting a losing battle.

· (44) They presumed, dared, arrogantly, intentionally…

· (44) Without the ark or their leader - Even though Moses and the ark remained in the camp, the people marched “presumptuously” (lit., they were swollen, puffed up) into the high country.

· they were recklessly trying to accomplish God’s work apart from God’s will and God’s blessing

· At times the ark was called “the ark of God.” It was a visible sign that the invisible God was dwelling in Israel’s midst. It had a devastating and often deadly “holiness.”

· The lid of the ark was called the “mercy seat” or “place of mercy” ().

Conclusion – How Do You Fight a Winning Battle ?