Too Long At This Mountain

  Their story had its roots in a decision made some 38 years previous—a fateful decision made by their parents and grandparents at a place called Kadesh-barnea. Delivered from bondage by ten mighty acts of judgment against Egypt—rescued from the army of Pharaoh, miraculously crossing the Red Sea and subsequently watching as enemy forces were buried beneath walls of water—these are but a few of the events the memory of which would surely have been etched indelibly on the hearts and minds of the children of Israel. But their colorful past only heightens our sorrow at their painful decision.

What decision was that? It was a decision to do nothing—to do nothing when God told them to go up and take the land He had promised to give to the descendants of Abraham. Their refusal to do as God had commanded was an act of rebellion (Dt. 1:26). Those immersed in today’s culture find it difficult to think of failure to act as a decision. How could their failure to obey be called rebellion unless it was a decision not to carry out the will of Lord? The Hebrew author has plenty to say about their rebellion calling it an act of disobedient unbelief (Hb. 3:18-19).

Moses described the days following their rebellion saying that they remained in Kadesh for many days and then turned out to the wilderness where they encircled Mt. Seir for many days. With the exception of Joshua and Caleb, it was a death march—until the unfaithful generation perished. Then the Lord spoke and said, “You have circled this mountain long enough” (Dt. 2:3). It was time for them to act—to do as the Lord commanded. The promised land was for those who had the faith to obey God’s commandments.

Are we so removed in time that we can no longer see faith’s promise? Heaven is for those who have the faith to obey God’s will (Mt. 7:21). This certainly applies to God’s plan of salvation and our need to comply with God’s conditions of pardon. But, does it not also apply to other aspects of Christian living, including our call to share the good news of the gospel? Sin is not just a transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4, KJV). It is also failing to do as God has commanded (Jas. 4:17). The danger is that, in waiting for just the right moment, we may fail to act altogether. Perhaps, in addressing our mission and purpose as His people, God is saying, “You have circled this mountain long enough.” It is time to move forward in obedience to the commands of the Lord.

Glen Eliot