God Saves - Numbers 27:12-23

Recap -“Moses sin” pt.2 “God Saves”

What Happened (Nu. 20)- People quarreled with God and Moses demanding water - Moses went to God for instruction

Instead of obeying God, By speaking to the Rock to show God’s prevision, Moses lashes out at the people calling them “rebels” and Lashes out at the Rock by Striking it twice

(The text) In Nu. 27:14 - God is Reminding Moses. However I do think God is reminding Moses of his actions, But rather, God is Remind Moses of the seriousness of his infraction.

In Duet. 3:23-26 we see Moses pleading with God and God responding by getting angry with Moses saying ‘Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again

Like punishing a child, saying “if you do this, I’m going punish you.” Then when your child does it , you have to follow through. But of course the child tries to plead with you, to lessen their punishment for selfish reasons . But being a loving parent , we follow through.

“For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”Heb. 12:6 (NLT)

We are not talking about, Sneaking a cookie or Jumping on the couch , we are talking about a serious act of disrespect

When Moses strikes the Rock , He Failed to Revere God has Holy

“The Rock”

What was the point of the Rock? It was a picture of Christ, as The Giver of precious life giving water. To be struck once for our iniquities.

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. 1Pet. 3:18a (NLT)

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole.He was whipped so we could be healed. Is. 53:5 (NLT)

God’s Mercy

Despite Moses’ failure - God shows mercy to His friend, Moses

The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. V12

God is showing Moses the Land that is promised - Rich in History, This land was something that Moses not only worked hard for but , knew of the importance it had for his descendants and for all of God’s future people. Not only that But Moses knew of the coming of the Messiah and the importance the land has for all the children of God.

If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. John 5:46 (NLT)

Moses knew that one day the people will enter the promise land ( Because, God is sovereign)

Moses knew that one day a savior will come, ( Because, God provides)

He didn’t know how or when, but he knew the land played a vital role

Moses also knew that the people, were a stiff necked people, and they needed strong leadership to led them into “a war zone”

Going in to the land of “Canaan” was going to be a battle, They weren't expecting to just walk in take the land. They were expecting a battle. (although at Jericho, that's what they did)

A battle of any size,requires strong leadership and a heavy reliance on God. And for this importance (the Land) - the steaks were too high to get wrong.

Moses’ knew this. So, I’m sure Moses thought he would be the strong leader to bring them into the Land. that is , Until he sinned against God.

But, At this point in the story,Moses , has accepted the consequences of his actions. Instead of pleading with God to change His mind or lessen the punishment. Moses Pleads with God for selfless reasons. (Because, Going to God and obeying His word is crucial )

THREE THINGS - Moses knew

In out text this morning, we see again these three elements that Moses is famous for

16“O LORD, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. 17 Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” Num. 27:16-17 (NLT)

Going to God- “Then Moses said to the LORD” v15

Recognizing That God is in control- that He is completely Sovereign (supreme power and authority)

“O God, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. 16a

Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground. “O God,” , “you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Num. 16:22a (NLT) (Korah rebellion)

When I say recognizing , I mean more than God just existing---- but More importantly what Moses means is, that Everything exists because God created it, That He has complete power and authority over all, created things . Anything less, is a lessor god (and not the God of the bible).

John 1:4 = The Word gave life to everything that was created

Col. 1:16 = for through him God created everything

Heb. 1:2 = through the Son he created the universe.

Knew that God will provide -

Moses’ main concern here is for the people of Isreal. Moses’ plea, his prayer, his intersession, is for the People, That God will “appoint a man” to led them. So that they would not return to the wilderness or fail as an army and be scattered.

I love Moses’ pastoral care here. Despite all that he’s been through, his heart is to set up the Israelites for success. Praying for God to select a strong leader. A leader that will fight for them, and also Care for them as a shepherd cares for his sheep.

NOTE: Take a look at V17- The ESV( and others say) “17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in,” This was a popular military saying, ESV is nearly word for word translation, where as the NLT is interrupting the phrase for us. ( meaning is strong sense of leading, and commanding an army)

Here is what I want you to see, Moses is asking for a leader that will fight for them. Not only will he led them into battle, when the Battle is over the leader will not stop until he has brought back every one of his men.

In Iraq, From the hardest missions, to easy missions, we had one rule - “No gets left behind.” “died or alive, we all came back or non of us came back.”

Joshua

Who fits this high integrity of Character

18 The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Num.27:18 (NLT)

Joshua -

Give a good report of the land along with Caleb. Who wanted Israel to take the land by faith (Num 13:30–14:38) - Faith

Led, the army of Israel against the Amalekites (Exod 17:8–16- Willing to Fight

Helped Moses at the “Tent of Meeting”, following the golden calf (Ex. 33:7-11) - Knew how to Follow

Looking at just these three events, three test by God, we learn a lot about Joshua, and by his trails, We learn that

He has incredible faith - despite what the other spies said he stands firm on the promises of God

He is willing to fight for Gods people, and preserver - by defeating the Amalekites, As God commanded

He is willing to serve. - He not only follows the commands of Moses to led an army, But also cares for Moses as his assistant

A commander of an army , one that seemingly has great power and authority, is also the assistant to Moses

clearly a humble man that, sees all good work as a service to God Himself.

We also learn something incredible about Joshua by his name. - (Yeshua, we get the Greek Ἰησους, and the English name Jesus) Meaning “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation”

So Moses, who name means “he is drawn from water” - not only is he saved from the Nile but rescues Isreal at the Red Sea. (Moses, is clearly living up to his name)

Now , Joshua comes, called by God to save Israel from the wilderness , and his name means “God saves”

What I love about this story is that , despite our failures/short comings ,God’s plans CANNOT be Thwarted.

Whither we are, qualified (Joshua) or have been disqualified (Moses). We will never hinder Gods plan,

I’m reminded of the Story of Ester

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Es. 4:14 (NLT)

God will always satisfy His plans. and One plan He makes clear , is He will save, YES “God Saves” He is salvation

Not satan and his armies, nor any power or authority , that includes us. Nothing Will stop Gods plan for salvation of His chosen

Listen, God will serve His purpose with or without us. God doesn't need Jed Salyards or a Jonathan Woodall, God will find someone else to stand in that Gap.

What God wants are people willing to serve Him, with all there heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Clearly God had a hand on Joshua at a young age, and When Joshua was tested he showed his faith in God meant more to him then anything else.

But God clearly had his hand on Moses as well - So, Why is Joshua qualified to bring them into the land and Moses wasn’t. - Lets look at different responses to trails

When we are being tested we basically have two chooses

We are either disobedient and rebellious carrying out our own plan- Becoming disqualified for the service of God - OR-

We are active participants carrying out the will of God - which is being qualified to service

Disqualifying and Qualifying for Service

What does it mean to be disqualified and qualified for service?

Lets break it into three groups-

Never-Qualified

Disqualified

Not yet- Qualified

Qualified

Never-Qualified

Now there are those who never care to revere God has Holy. ( NON-Believers)

Cain,Esau, Pharaoh,Jezebel, Judas - Evil people that God uses to work His will through, But have no care for Him, and in the end they are thrown into hell - Because they never cared to give God the Glory

Not yet- Qualified

This is the new believer - The one that is tossed around like waves - but has great potential to serve God

so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Ep. 4:14

I’m not judging, new believers. for they typically have more passion for the gospel than anyone else

But, they have not been tested or battle hardened. There role in the church is to learn, ask questions, and serve to find your calling.

we have all been here, When I was young in the faith , I made a lot of mistakes, my faith was tested regularly

I failed many test, But the reason I say my faith is strong now is because It has been tested

Qualified

Q: How do we know that we are qualified?

First let be clarify= *We cannot qualify for Grace* For Grace is the means in which God works.

We are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, All for the glory of God alone.

But God works through sinners, like us, to glorify His name, Our transformation is due to Him. So when we pass through the trails of life with faith and reverence , we prove that we know He loves us, It’s our response to God that drives us to love Him with all our heart,soul, mind and strength.

Walking though trails is hard - It was hard for Jacob - wrestling with God, it was hard for Joseph spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit , it was hard for Moses who got so much right but disrespected God out of his own frustration, it was hard for Joshua - Going against his peers, persevering in battle, and serving as an assistant.

Disqualified -

We become Disqualified when we stop revering God has being Holy

(Christians) - Those who Love God, but have made horrible mistakes, can be disqualified

This was the case for Moses - God could have used him but instead he did not glorify God, When he struck the rock the second time.

How we represent God is our test. No matter How hard life gets, How we respond to God is our test.

When trails come, We have a choose to obey the word of God, or create our own path.

A good question to ask is: When hard times come where do you find comfort? In yourself or the word of God?

For years i found comfort in myself, disobeying the word of God, and certainly not revering Him as holy. I created my own path , I was disqualified for service.

I knew of God but denied His power, I thought I had all the answers

Despite popular opinion, I do not have the answers. Only the “God who gives breath to all creatures “ does and He has provide it for us in this wonderful book.

Qualified

Q: How do we know that we are qualified?

First let be clarify= *We cannot qualify for Grace* For Grace is the means in which God works.

We are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, All for the glory of God alone.

But God works through sinners, like us, to glorify His name, Our transformation is due to Him. So when we pass through the trails of life with faith and reverence , we prove that we know He loves us, It’s our response to God that drives us to love Him with all our heart,soul, mind and strength.

Walking though trails is hard - It was hard for Jacob - wrestling with God, it was hard for Joseph spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit , it was hard for Moses who got so much right but disrespected God out of his own frustration, it was hard for Joshua - Going against his peers, persevering in battle, and serving as an assistant.

Our trails will not be easy,

It will require Faith -

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Heb. 11:1-3 (ESV)

Faith is the assurance of hope

It will require Perseverance

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Jm 1:12(ESV)

It’s a fight, brothers and sisters. Be prepared

It will require Service to Others -

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Gal. 6:9-10 (ESV)

I say this because it’s easy to collapse in on ourselves when difficult times come. Even with all the faith in the world, we still have a responsibility to love. We have a responsibility to respond to Gods love by showing his love.

It’s important for us to remember that we are a body.

That means

We are not alone our faith - we share our faith so we can have incredible faith has a member of the body

We also fight as one, preserve as one - since we are members of the same body we must be willing to fight and train up other members of the body. (no one gets left behind)

We serve each other in any manner necessary - because we know that being humble means that all good work is a service to God Himself.

Jesus is the perfect example for us.

All credit for the Body Goes to the head of the church, Who’s name means “God Saves” that “God is Salvation” - He is the Holy One that led’s us home

He is our incredible faith - The Author and perfecter of our faith

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Heb. 12:2 (NLT)

He is willing to fight for Gods people - the Great Sheppard

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? Mt. 18:12

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is. 41:10 (ESV)

He is the Great servant. - He is the Lamb

I could point to all the great works He has accomplished - but there is one that He did for me.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Is. 53:7 (NLT)

He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Cor. 5:15 (ESV)

God allowed Moses to enter the Promise Land