Fast Devotional – Day Two Text: Numbers 33:50-56 Written by: Haley Christopherson
Thoughts In this passage, the Israelites are given instructions that when they enter the promised land, they are to drive out all of the current inhabitants and destroy all of their idols used for worship. Those who do not consider God’s eternal decrees will see this as a harsh command from God. But who are human beings to answer back to God (Rom. 9:20)? The truth is, God chose Israel to be His people (Exod. 19:3-6). God’s command to Israel is not to be harsh to the Canaanites, but rather to prevent Israel from breaking his commandments. If Israel were to ignore God’s command and not drive out everyone, it would be easy for them to be persuaded into ungodly practices. Like many times in the Bible, God warns the Israelites that if they do not obey, they will suffer the consequences. Judges 1-2 show us that they did not fully obey God.
Purging the evil from among them was not a command unique to the Old Testament. In 1 Corinthians 5:13, Paul applies the Old Testament principle into the church. We must not approve of seemingly small sins without appropriately addressing them within the church. Likewise, we must examine ourselves to ensure that we are not allowing certain evils to remain in us. It is easy to grow comfortable with certain sins if they seem harmless. God has called us to a greater level of holiness than that. We must take God’s Word seriously and not allow a hint of evil to remain in us.
Challenge Is there any area of life where you’re allowing small sins to go under the rug so to speak? Bring the darkness to light. Get in life group and discipleship and confess your sins to one another. There is great freedom waiting on the other side of the acknowledgment of sin.
Prayer Dear Lord, help us to delight in your commands and to trust that they are for our good. Bring to light any sins or evil that we have allowed to dwell in our lives and give us the boldness to bring them to light. In Jesus’ name, Amen!