Numbers 14:16 - ‘Because Yahweh was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.’
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What does "Numbers 14:16" mean?
This verse, Numbers 14:16, is part of a larger speech given by Moses to God after the Israelites, having received a bad report from the spies about the Promised Land, rebelled and refused to enter. This rebellion angered God, who threatened to destroy them and start over with Moses.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse means within that context:
"‘Because Yahweh was not able...": This is not Moses's belief. It's a rhetorical device. Moses is putting words in the mouths of the Egyptians (and other nations) as they would perceive the situation if God were to destroy Israel. It's what the nations would say about Yahweh.
"...to bring this people into the land which he swore to them...": This refers to God's covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (and their descendants) to give them the land of Canaan (the Promised Land). God had repeatedly promised to lead them into this land.
"...therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.’": Again, this is what the nations would conclude. They would say that if God couldn't fulfill his promise and get the Israelites into the land, the only reason he would slaughter them in the desert is because he was incapable.
In essence, the verse argues this:
If God destroys the Israelites in the wilderness, the surrounding nations will interpret it as evidence that God is weak and incapable of keeping his promises. They would see it as a failure on God's part, not as a punishment for Israel's disobedience.
The significance:
Moses's argument is based on God's reputation among the nations. He is pleading with God to spare the Israelites, not primarily for their sake, but for the sake of God's own name and glory. He wants to prevent the surrounding nations from blaspheming God and questioning his power and faithfulness.
In summary, Numbers 14:16 is a crucial part of Moses's intercession. He's warning God that destroying Israel would have a negative impact on God's reputation and would lead to the nations believing that God is powerless or untrustworthy. He appeals to God's desire to be seen as a strong and faithful God.
Numbers 14:16 - ‘Because Yahweh was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.’
What does "Numbers 14:16" mean?
This verse, Numbers 14:16, is part of a larger speech given by Moses to God after the Israelites, having received a bad report from the spies about the Promised Land, rebelled and refused to enter. This rebellion angered God, who threatened to destroy them and start over with Moses.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse means within that context:
"‘Because Yahweh was not able...": This is not Moses's belief. It's a rhetorical device. Moses is putting words in the mouths of the Egyptians (and other nations) as they would perceive the situation if God were to destroy Israel. It's what the nations would say about Yahweh.
"...to bring this people into the land which he swore to them...": This refers to God's covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (and their descendants) to give them the land of Canaan (the Promised Land). God had repeatedly promised to lead them into this land.
"...therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.’": Again, this is what the nations would conclude. They would say that if God couldn't fulfill his promise and get the Israelites into the land, the only reason he would slaughter them in the desert is because he was incapable.
In essence, the verse argues this:
If God destroys the Israelites in the wilderness, the surrounding nations will interpret it as evidence that God is weak and incapable of keeping his promises. They would see it as a failure on God's part, not as a punishment for Israel's disobedience.
The significance:
Moses's argument is based on God's reputation among the nations. He is pleading with God to spare the Israelites, not primarily for their sake, but for the sake of God's own name and glory. He wants to prevent the surrounding nations from blaspheming God and questioning his power and faithfulness.
In summary, Numbers 14:16 is a crucial part of Moses's intercession. He's warning God that destroying Israel would have a negative impact on God's reputation and would lead to the nations believing that God is powerless or untrustworthy. He appeals to God's desire to be seen as a strong and faithful God.