The Bible — notes and cross-references in Numbers | Interpretation and commentary to chapter 14

As indicated by the evil report of the ten spies (Num. 13:31-33) and the murmuring of the people against Moses and Aaron (Num. 14:1-4), the children of Israel did not care for God but cared only for themselves. In everything and in every way they were for themselves, not for God’s interests. Because of this, they did not believe in God, and they offended God to such an extent that they became abhorrent to Him. Their situation brought in God’s judgment and punishment. God alone is the source of faith. If we would have faith, we must learn to care for God’s interests and not for our benefit.

14:11^a not

Deut. 1:32; 9:23; Psa. 78:22, 32; 106:24; Heb. 3:18; cf. John 12:37

14:12^a nation

Exo. 32:10

14:13¹ Then

Moses prayed for the people not according to his concept but according to God’s word (vv. 17-18). His prayer bound God according to what He had spoken and what He is.

14:13^a might

Exo. 32:11

14:14^a pillar

Exo. 13:21

14:16^a Because

Deut. 9:28

14:18^a slow

Exo. 34:6-7; Psa. 86:15; 103:8; 145:8

14:19^a Pardon

Exo. 32:32; 34:9; Psa. 78:38

14:20¹ pardoned

God pardoned the people according to Moses’ prayer; nevertheless, their unbelief had certain negative consequences (vv. 21-38). Cf. Heb. 3:7-19. God forgave the sinning Israelites yet still punished them. This shows that God’s forgiveness is of different kinds. One kind is forgiveness through punishment. Cf. note Matt. 12:32^2b and note Matt. 18:34¹.

14:21^a filled

Psa. 72:19; Hab. 2:14

14:23^a swore

Num. 32:11; Deut. 1:35; Psa. 95:11; 106:26; Ezek. 20:15; Heb. 3:17-18

14:24^a Caleb

Num. 13:6

14:24^b fully

Num. 32:12; Josh. 14:8-9; cf. Num. 32:11

14:27^a murmurs

Num. 11:1; 1 Cor. 10:10

14:29^a fall

Num. 26:65; 1 Cor. 10:5; Heb. 3:17

14:29^b twenty

Exo. 30:14; Num. 1:3

14:30^1a swore

Heb. 3:18

Lit., lifted up My hand.

14:30^b Caleb

Num. 26:65

14:31^a little

Num. 14:3; Deut. 1:39

14:32^a fall

Num. 14:29

14:33^a forty

Num. 32:13; Psa. 95:10 Acts 7:36

14:33¹ unfaithfulness

Lit., fornications.

14:34^a forty

Num. 13:25; cf. Ezek. 4:5

14:34¹ displeasure

Or, opposition.

14:35^a consumed

Num. 14:29; 1 Cor. 10:5

14:36^a evil

Num. 13:32

14:38^a Joshua

Num. 13:16; 14:6

14:38^b Caleb

Num. 13:6; 14:6, 24

14:40^a we

Deut. 1:41

14:41¹ again

The children of Israel were not only a rebellious people but also a stubborn people (Exo. 32:9; 33:3; Deut. 10:16; Isa. 48:4). Their disobeying God here was caused by their unbelief (Deut. 1:32; Heb. 3:18-19).

14:42^a Do

Deut. 1:42

14:43¹ turned

Before this time the children of Israel had followed the Ark, a type of the Triune God in His incarnation embodied in Christ, but from this point they gave God up and would not follow Him any longer.

14:44^a presumed

Deut. 1:43

14:44^1b Ark

Num. 10:33; cf. 1 Sam. 4:3

The people were to move only when the Ark moved (Num. 10:33); but when God asked them to move, they did not. Now they presumed to move by themselves.

14:45^1a Amalekites and the Canaanites

Exo. 17:8; Deut. 1:44

In biblical typology, the Amalekites signify the flesh, the fallen, fleshly people (see Exo. 17:8 and notes). The Canaanites signify human beings who have joined themselves to the evil spirits, to the satanic power of darkness in the air.