June 7, 2019
"Not It"
Numbers 1:1
Kelly Nix
Central Truth
God's kindness and severity will complete His work even when we respond, "NOT IT."
Key Verse | Numbers 14:30, 33
"[N]ot one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. . . . And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness."
Numbers 1:1
A Census of Israel's Warriors
1 The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
Dive Deeper | Numbers 1:1
When I was a child, we played a game at my house when our parents wanted the TV channel changed. They requested one child to walk across the room and turn a knob to tune to one of the four channels. Inevitably, our first response was to yell, "NOT IT," and run, thinking this would make us happier than obeying. The game of "NOT IT" ensued. We ran around to avoid a task of obedience that required just a few steps.
The first five books of our Bible, of which Numbers is the fourth, make up the Jewish Torah. Jewish writings usually refer to Numbers by its Hebrew name, "Bemidbar," which means "in the wilderness." In Numbers, we see a divinely loved and chosen generation being numbered, arranged, and purified to enter the work God created them to do—enter the Promised Land. But self-pleasure overpowers the unknown gift of joy ahead. How did an 11-day journey become a 40-year wandering in the wilderness?
Numbers gets its name from the two censuses consisting of men 20 years and older, able to fight (chapters 1-4, 26). The last groups are children of the first; only Joshua and Caleb are exceptions. Why? They didn't play "NOT IT." They were eager to follow the God they knew. But Grumblers drowned out their faithfulness, and God gave a year of wandering for each day the scouts had surveyed the land (chapter 14). The rest died. Even Moses' imprecise obedience disqualified him. God's kindness and severity is unchanged. He sacrificed His perfect Son to do what no man could—reconcile man to God.
Trusting Christ's sufficient substitute for my sinful condition led me OUT of the guilt of sin and death. Just like God led the Israelites OUT of Egypt. But playing "NOT IT" with my own desires over God's better ones causes me, like the Israelites, to wander, wondering if He is better. But Christ has done everything. John 10:10 reminds me I've been robbed! Led OUT, I was given a new life IN Christ! God uses imperfect people IN Christ to do His plans (Ephesians 2:10)! Stop playing "NOT IT," let Jesus change your channel, and enjoy the show!
Discussion Questions
1. When Caleb and Joshua reentered the Promised Land, it was approximately 38 years later, and the Bible says they were bold, strong leaders. Are you more excited today to know God's plan than when you began? Whom are you listening to? Who is following you?
2. The Israelites' children have learned to shepherd one another to God's standards of inheritance in the land promised their fathers. Only Christ meets God's standards for eternal relationship with Him, and He said in John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Who is regularly challenging and confirming your actions as you follow the Good Shepherd?
3. If you've played "NOT IT" or wondered and wandered, read Hebrews 3:7–4:13, and remember God is patient and just and will welcome those who receive His Son and believe in His name (John 1:12). Is there any "cherished sin" that might be robbing your relationship with Him? Watermark has ministries every night helping with those. How can you be obedient to your Heavenly Father today (1 John 1:9)?
4. In his book, "Surprised by Joy," C.S. Lewis says joy is never in our power; it is given and has one characteristic, "anyone who has experienced it will want it again." Have you experienced joy as a gift from God? Or is happiness all you know? No experience apart from one designed by our Creator has this kind of joy! Share this JOY never found on your own!
5. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in future choices to fulfill the work God has created for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Ask others to pray for His leadership in His plan, and remember His faithfulness to you.