In Numbers 14, immediately following the negative report of 10 of the 12 spies, the report became widespread and everyone was filled with dread and remorse that God had rescued them, saying God had only brought them out of Egypt to kill them. This being not the first time that the children of Israel called God’s character into question, he is ready to do exactly what they said: kill them all. Moses reminds God that he is quick to forgive and had promised the people, then he asks how other nations would view this God who kills his kingdom of priests. God responds with the very phrase Moses uses, that he forgives them but that punishment must still be given. The punishment was that every one of those who did not trust God to follow through on his promise - after having literally witnessed the plagues and red sea crossing less than 3 years prior - we’re destined to die before entering the promised land. He promised 40 years of wandering, one for each day that the spies spent in the land. The people mourn and try to then go into the land, but Moses and the ark remain behind and the people are beat back.
How often in life do we grumble? Psalms 53 states that everyone has turned away, never even asking for God’s help, and then fear because their is no hope. This deeply wounds God, who wants to bless us and guide us. Sometimes, this fear can lead us to even blaming God for things he was never brought into. We must remember this lesson of the Israelites and how, though God is patient, God does not permit his very character to be called into question - this is the essence of blaspheming the holy spirit.
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children of Israel Moses Promised Land forgiveness judgement Blaspheming the holy Spirit
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