Numbers 14:17-18
“‘Now, please, let the power of the Master expand, enlarge itself greatly, along the lines you have laid out earlier when you said, GOD, slow to get angry and huge in loyal love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion and sin; Still, never just whitewashing sin. But extending the fallout of parents’ sins to children into the third, even the fourth generation.’”
“‘Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected – even children in the third and fourth generations.’”
The people are whipped up in a spirit of fear and rebellion. Mob rule threatens and Moses and Aaron are in danger. Yet Moses intercedes for Israel, pointing to Christ’s future perfect intercession for all of us. Moses appeals to God’s nature, love. This is amazing in the ancient world. Men cannot, then or now, imagine such a God. He had to come and tell us about himself. It is so simple. God is love. We should love one another. This truth is a beacon for the ages if we would only choose to live by its light.
Lord, help learn to live in love. Heal and restore our world and peoples. Grace me to be your vessel in this.