Forgiven, but Accountable

In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.” Numbers 14:19 NLT

Culture is an important component of who you are. There are some cultures where people intercede for people who do wrong. I’m not talking about in the court house; I’m talking about the home. If a child commits an infraction then they would plead with the parents so that the child would not reap the consequences of his actions. The parents would make the decision but the influence of the person making the request, goes a long way. If the request came from an upstanding member of the community, there is a possibility that you would be free of the consequences.

Here, Moses was pleading for the people. They were on the brink of a new beginning. God heard their cry as they were abused by the slave masters in Egypt. He delivered them with a heavy hand so all will know, that He is God. Pharaoh was reluctant to allow his work force to leave. Who would replace such a huge labor force? Especially when they didn’t earn wages? It was not until God struck the first born of Egypt, that Pharaoh consented to let them go. After they left, Pharaoh had a change of heart, and pursued them. God rolled back the waters of the Red Sea to deliver them from slavery. When He closed the waters, Pharaoh’s army perished. Now they were complaining. God was angry and considered destroying them. Moses went before God to intercede on their behalf.  He asked God to look down on His people with mercy.

Moses stood in the gap, the same way people would stand in the gap for you, when you disobeyed your parents. Moses reminded God of His mighty power.  The people forgot all that God had done; they forgot the miracle of the Red Sea. They forgot the sting of the slave master’s whip. Now they were afraid of the unknown. They forgot about the goodness of God, and so they wanted to return to Egypt. Sometimes, as people of faith, we behave just like that. But God answered Moses prayer. He said, “I will pardon them as you have requested.” Moses was a great leader; he went before God on behalf of the people. God forgave their wrong, but they had to pay the consequences .

Thought for Today: Friend, disobedience to God brings consequences.

Have a blessed day and walk in faith and victory.