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THE OCCUPATION OF CANAAN SUSPENDED
TUESDAY, JULY 6
Deuteronomy 1:19-29

Job 34:37

 

“For he addeth rebellion
unto his sin… and multiplieth

his words against God.”

 

THE OCCUPATION OF CANAAN SUSPENDED
 
Israel could not directly enter the land of Canaan as was the expectation when they left Egypt. The occupation was suspended because of rebellion. The Lord prevented them and punished them for their sin. He withdrew His support, and they were at the mercy of their enemies. Moses in this sermon was recalling those events of the past forty years as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The Lord and Moses wished them well, but their will was contrary to God’s plan.
 
The march to Canaan was disrupted not because God did not want them to go, but because Israel developed a negative attitude. Horeb is another name for Mt Sinai, a key location in the Exodus for this was where the Lord had called Moses to go and receive the Ten Commandments. It was also here that Israel rebelled against the Lord in asking Aaron to make for them a golden calf. They faced a severe punishment for that sin. However it was their refusal to enter the land of Canaan that delayed their occupation for forty years.
 
Moses was now describing their journey through the great and terrible wilderness. They passed by the mountain of the Amorites and came to  Kadesh-barnea. The Lord had directed that they go and possess the land that He had given them. Moses also reminded them that the Lord had set the land before them and encouraged them not to fear or be discouraged.
 
It is easy to condemn Israel for their rebellion, but how often have we too rebelled against our God? The church has a code of conduct for her members and when necessary the elders are mandated to take disciplinary measures against any transgressor. Every open sin is subject to punishment.
 
THOUGHT: Rebellion is active opposition to authority.

PRAYER: Father, help me to be obedient and to honour Thy authority.

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