The
context of this quote from Numbers 14:33 is of the children of Israel
giving into fear and refusing to go up to conquer the promised land.
The Lord had reminded them that He visits the iniquities of the
fathers on the children. This is not as some translations have it
that He is punishing the children for the father's sin, for this
would contradict Ezekiel 18:20. But what is true, is that the
children either suffer or reap the benefit of the legacy we the
fathers leave. The people had seen the Lord's glory in what He had
done in Egypt and in the wilderness, and by giving into fear had put
the Lord to the test ten times (verse 22). Each time they had wanted
to go back to Egypt, and this time they had even wanted to select new
leaders to take them back (verse 4).
As
punishment, except for Joshua and Caleb, not one over twenty who had
seen His glory would enter the promised land. Commenting on this in
the New Testament, the writer to the Hebrews admonishes us to”Beware,
brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in
departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). Note that God
regards unbelief as evil! We are likewise warned in one of the most
severe warning in the New Testament, those of us that is who have
“tasted of the heavenly gift, ... the good Word of God ... and
the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:4-6).
I have seen so much of His glory, I have received healings in my own body, I have been used to heal others and have seen many, displays of His healing power. And yet I continue to find pockets of unbelief in my heart. And I found myself in tears this morning and crying out to God to have mercy on me, and on my children, and my children's children. You know most of us when are children are ill would gladly take their place. How much more should we live for Him knowing that one way or the other we are leaving them a legacy?
Father,
You reminded me this morning that “The LORD is longsuffering and
abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no
means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the
children to the third and fourth generation.” And I pray Lord
please pardon the iniquity of us Your people “according to the
greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people ...
even until now” (Numbers 14:18,19; 1 John 1:9). Lord keep us, keep
me, close to the flame, and please burn off all unbelief in Your
consuming fire. Help me Lord, for I want to leave a positive legacy
for my children, and my children's children, and my children's
children's children in Jesus Name Amen
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