Numbers 13 & 14
photo: Bible Archeology Society
While I focused on the New Testament for this study, I came across a point of interest while studying Numbers for an example of how God deals with victims of slavery and their descendants. But that is another story.
Chapters 13 and 14 tells us about Moses sending out the 12 spies,
and upon their return, 10 of the 12 announce their unbelief
of God's ability to give them the land.
This soured the Israelites on the plan to the the Promised Land.
Here is the bit of scripture from Numbers 14 about forgiveness to ruminate on:
"19 (Moses:) In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.”
20 The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.
21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth,
22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the
wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times—
23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors.
No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it."
Wow.
"I have forgiven them........Nevertheless......not one of them will ever see the land..."
God separates forgiveness and consequences?
To many people, consequences is unforgiveness, eh?
eric j. rose
ifherepents.com