8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,
-What does it mean to test God? The context of this quote in Numbers 21:4-
5 'testing God' primarily has a root in ubelief amd the rejection of God's word.
1) They rejected His promise of bringing them into the land. God had promised an inheritence in the nations that He Himself would fulfill, a land flowing with milk and honey - natural provision and spiritual provision and victory over their enemies symbolizing natural and spritual victory on the condition of total obedience to His ways (commands) and His voice.
2) The incident related to 'testing God' in numbers was in the context of their rejection of manna, a symbol of God's word, a symol of His daily word which sustains - manna came daily. A rejection of the pure word of God which was intended to train them in His ways.
3) The manna was God's chosen 'lot in life' for them, in His timing they were to have more complete provision and they were to become economically self sufficient - land, houses, vines, agriculture etc were promised. IT was to be fulfileld when they possessed the land in canaan, but for now, as they were always moving from place to place, God provided 'temporary nomad food' which was in no way less divine, or less of a token of His mercy, love and grace, nor was it less of a miracle. But the people would have none of it and only complained against His love and grace for them, clamouring for more.
-Take heart lest you test God to the limits of His patience with You, He has been good to you, why can you not trust and believe Him? Is the heat and dreariness of desert life tempting you to curse God and His leader? 'why have YOU, God brought us out here to die?' No, God intends fully to bring you into natural and spiritual inheritance. Do you want it enough to get rid of your sinful ways and walk according to His ways? (see post on repentance)
10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
-The time of trial in the desert can be summed into one idea – trials and temptations, but theses are not trials in which God has left us alone to face ourselves. He intends for us to be victorious in trials, He is faithful to see us through them, He is with us in our trials, He is also in total control of our trials. What comforting truths.
Deut 8:2 And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
-Don't stick around heart idols, do not stay in that state, in your heart, run to Christ who alone can save You, and is willing to save you, extricate yourself from this heart condition, flee to the worship and surrender to Christ.
15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
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