Números 14

Números 14

MacArthur adds "From the human side, the first requirement for salvation is faith. Hearing the gospel is essential, but it is not enough. The ancient Israelites heard God’s good news of rest, but it did them no good since they did not accept it. They did not trust in the God who gave them the good news. It does no good to hear if we do not believe. That is the point here. Hearing the good news of the rest of God is of no benefit, no profit, to any person at any time unless the hearing is united by faith.It is tragic that hell is going to be populated with people who will say, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?” To which Jesus will reply, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:22–23+; cf. Luke 13:26–27+). Their knowledge and their work was not united with faith. Jews prided themselves on the fact that they had God’s law and God’s ordinances and God’s rituals. They were especially proud to be descendants of Abraham. But Jesus warned that true children of Abraham believe and act as Abraham did (John 8:39). Paul reminded his fellow Jews that “He is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God” (Rom. 2:29). Spiritually, an unbelieving Jew is a contradiction in terms." (MNTC-Hebrews) Our actions ("works") demonstrate whether our belief is unto salvation or is only intellectual belief (See James 2:19+). HOW LONG? Some other "how longs"... How long will you live? 2Sa 19:34 How long will you falter between two opinions? 1Ki 18:21 How long will you reject God? Nu 14:11 How long will you not believe? Nu 14:11 How long will you sleep? Pr 6:9 How long will you refuse to humble yourself? Ex 10:3 Believe (0539)(aman) conveys the basic idea of providing stability and confidence. The most significant meaning is to have faith , to put trust in something or someone. To be steady, firm and thus trustworthy. Aman speaks of certainty and thus can mean to confirm or to affirm. Some sources consider the primary root meaning of aman to be "to prop" or "to support", a meaning which is literally portrayed in the use in 2Ki 18:16 where aman is used to depict the doorposts, clearly emphasizing the ideas stability or support. Another picture of the meaning of 'aman is seen in the related (derivative) noun 'emunah in Ex 17:12+ (" his hands were steady (emunah derived from 'aman) until the sun set.") Baker on Aman - to be firm, to build up, to support, to nurture, or to establish. The primary meaning is that of providing stability and confidence, like a baby would find in the arms of a parent. It is used to signify support of a pillar (2 Kgs. 18:16); nurture and nourishment (Num. 11:12; Ruth 4:16; thus, a nurse, 2 Sam. 4:4); cradling in one’s arms (Isa. 60:4); a house firmly founded (1 Sam. 2:35; 25:28); a secure nail that finds a solid place to grip (Isa. 22:23); a lasting permanence (Ps. 89:28[29]; with negative particle, Jer. 15:18). Metaphorically, the word conveys the notion of faithfulness and trustworthiness, such that one could fully depend on (Deut. 7:9; Job 12:20; Ps. 19:7[8]; Isa. 55:3; Mic. 7:5). Therefore, the word can also signify certitude or assurance (Deut. 28:66; Job 24:22; Hos. 5:9) and belief, in the sense of receiving something as true and sure (Gen. 15:6; Ex. 4:5; 2 Chr. 20:20; Ps. 78:22; Isa. 53:1; Jon. 3:5). (WSOT) NET Note on believe - The verb “to believe” (root אָמַן, ’aman) has the basic idea of support, dependability for the root. The Hiphil has a declarative sense, namely, to consider something reliable or dependable and to act on it. The people did not trust what the LORD said. Despite all the signs - Red Sea split, manna falling from heaven, water from rock, etc, etc. These were but tokens of God’s power and evidence of His presence. Israel has witnessed them, but failed to act trustfully (cf. Dt 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 28:8; 29:3). The purpose of signs performed in Egypt was to encourage the people's faith in God (Ex 4:5+ "that they may believe that the LORD") What a foreshadowing Israel's response was to first century Israel's response was to the Messiah, John recording But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. (John 12:37) Which I have performed in their midst - The people rejected (1). Promised Land (Nu 13:32; 14:2, 31), (2). Moses their leader (Nu 14:4) (3). the Lord Himself (Nu 14:9-11). Their sin is "unfaithfulness" [Nu 14:33] = harlotry (Jer 3:2, 9; 13:27; Ezek 23:27; 43:7, 9; Ho4:11; 6:10). C H