21st.: The Egyptian’s will hear: Part 2
Moses began his appeal to spare Israel (see yesterday's page),
by reminding God how He brought Israel out of Egypt - and that with an overwhelming display of might.
Moses continued by pointing out that God displayed His protection for the Israelites,
by hovering over them with two types of pillars (cloud and fire, Num. 14:14).
This visible hovering over the Israelites strongly demonstrated that He actually is real.
No other god had ever done that before.
Moses then gave God two reasons for not destroying Israel:
1) Moses’ first reason was to keep the Egyptians from saying, “The Lord was not able bring this people into the [Promised] Land.” (Num. 14:16).
God likes to repeat the claim that there is nothing too hard for Him to do, like getting the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Losing a few individuals along the way is expected, but destroying the whole,
entire nation would mean that God can become so rattled that He can be defeated.
2) Moses’ second reason had to do with God’s mercy. God likes to associate His greatness,
not only with physical might, but also with His mercy - that He is willing to forgive sinners for His own honor (Num. 14:18-19),
if they will turn away from shunning God (i.e. repent).
When appealing to God, examine how upholding His honor applies in the situation of concern.
“Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jer. 32:27)