Oops, God. I messed up. Let me "fix" that.

I tend to be a "fix it" man. Most men tend toward this approach. I've given advice to more than a few men that the reason their wife is getting frustrated with them is because rather than listening to her, and going through what she's going through with her, you're trying to fix the problem. By doing that, you're dismissing her feelings, her struggle, and minimizing what she's experiencing. That's why she's upset with you.  

 

We men don't often see it. When we see a problem, well, we want to run in, slay the dragon, and save the princess. We tend to forget that our "princess" had been captive by the dragon for a while, that she might know a few things about the dragon's behavior, how we might escape alive, and she might be a little upset/traumatized by the dragon.

 

The "prince" she needs isn't just the guy in armor and a sword who challenges the dragon head-on. What she needs is more than a dragon slayer. She needs someone to take her hand, and escape with her.

 

This is only one way that the principle I'd like to talk about today applies. I don't think it's only men who are guilty of this. What do we do when the "dragon" we're facing is our own failure? How do we respond when we've been disobedient, feel regret, and what to make things right?

 

The temptation is to try to "go back" and "fix it."

 

Deuteronomy 1:34-46 invites us to explore the consequences of our choices and the complex interplay between divine guidance and human will. This passage comes after the episode at Mt. Sinai, after Israel is saved form Egypt, and receives the 10 Commandments. They go immediately to the promised land, and scouts go into the promised land. Most of the scouts come back in fear, they warn that the people inhabiting the land are too powerful, that they don't stand a chance. Only Joshua and Caleb report that they should enter and follow God's will:

 

34 “And the LORD heard your words and was angered, and he swore, 35 ‘Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers, 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the LORD!’ 37 Even with me the LORD was angry on your account and said, ‘You also shall not go in there. 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. 39 And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn, and journey into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea.’

 

41 “Then you answered me, ‘We have sinned against the LORD. We ourselves will go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.’ And every one of you fastened on his weapons of war and thought it easy to go up into the hill country. 42 And the LORD said to me, ‘Say to them, Do not go up or fight, for I am not in your midst, lest you be defeated before your enemies.’ 43 So I spoke to you, and you would not listen; but you rebelled against the command of the LORD and presumptuously went up into the hill country. 44 Then the Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do and beat you down in Seir as far as Hormah. 45 And you returned and wept before the LORD, but the LORD did not listen to your voice or give ear to you. 46 So you remained at Kadesh many days, the days that you remained there. Dt 1:34–46. 

 

This passage challenges us to consider: How do we respond when we realize we've strayed from God's path?

 

In this account, we witness the Israelites grappling with the aftermath of their disobedience. God's anger burns against them, not as a capricious outburst, but as a righteous response to their rebellion. The Hebrew verb שָׁמַע (shama') for "heard" in verse 34 implies more than mere auditory perception; it encompasses understanding and responding. God's hearing is active, engaged, and consequential. 

 

The divine decree is severe: "Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers" (Deut. 1:35). The adjective "evil" (הָרָע, hara') denotes not just moral failing but a fundamental opposition to God's will.  

 

That's really at the heart of all of our sin. It's not just that we fail morally. Sin is a failure to hear and heed God's Word.

 

Yet, amidst this bleak pronouncement, a glimmer of hope emerges. Caleb, son of Jephunneh, stands as a beacon of faithfulness. The phrase אַחֲרֵי יְהוָה (acharei Yahweh), literally "after the Lord," beautifully captures his unwavering commitment. In Caleb, we see the promise that God honors those who remain steadfast in the face of widespread rebellion. 

 

The repercussions of Israel's sin extend even to Moses, their revered leader. This sobering reality underscores a crucial truth: our actions can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only ourselves but those around us, even those in positions of authority.

 

As the narrative unfolds, we encounter a striking contrast between the faithless adults and their innocent children. The phrase "no knowledge of good or evil" echoes Genesis 2:17, perhaps hinting at a new beginning for Israel. It's a poignant reminder that while our choices may close certain doors, God's mercy opens new pathways for future generations.

 

The command to "turn" in verse 40 carries the weight of both physical and spiritual reorientation. It's a pivotal moment, calling Israel to accept the consequences (to accept responsibility!) of their actions and embark on a new, humbling journey.

 

How often do we find ourselves at similar crossroads, needing to pivot and reorient our lives in response to God's correction? Do we try to "get a do-over," or do we accept responsibility, and accept the new path God sets out in front of us?

 

The Israelites' response reveals a common human tendency: the impulse to immediately "fix" our mistakes. Their eagerness to "go up and fight" demonstrates a misunderstanding of true repentance.

 

God's reply emphasizes a crucial spiritual principle: His presence, not human zeal, is the key to victory. 

 

This passage illuminates the delicate balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility.

 

Have you ever felt the weight of regret, the sting of missed opportunities? Have you ever turned away from God’s will out of fear?

 

Of course you have. Who hasn’t? Even Paul declares in Romans 7 that even while his spirit is willing to obey God, the flesh is often weak, and we end up doing exactly what we don’t want to do. Fear is often the reason.

 

When we allow fear to eclipse our faith, we give fear an even greater hold on our lives, and we diminish our faith. It’s ironic, really. Doubt breeds doubt. Fear amplifies fear. Faithlessness creates a habit of faithlessness.

 

When we follow our fear, it becomes self-fulfilling. We end up falling prey to our fears precisely because we failed to face them. Rather than “slay our dragon,” we ran away, and it gave chase, burning our backsides.

 

While God's promises remain steadfast, our actions significantly influence the journey to their fulfillment. It's a dance of divine grace and human response, a partnership that requires our active participation and humble submission.

 

The imagery of being chased "as bees do" vividly portrays the relentless pursuit of the enemies. It's a stark reminder of the futility of fighting without God's sanction. How often do we rush into battles, armed with our own strength, only to find ourselves overwhelmed and outmatched?

 

The repeated use of "remained" (תֵּשְׁבוּ, teshvu) in the final verses underscores the extended period of waiting and reflection that followed Israel's failed attempt. This time at Kadesh represents a crucial period of learning and spiritual growth.

 

Have you ever been in a season of “waiting?” A season when it feels like nothing is happening? That’s not true. Even in these seasons, God’s doing something. He’s refining us, He’s teaching us, He’s preparing us.

 

This is a part of spiritual maturation.

 

This episode also teaches us about true repentance. It's not merely about feeling sorry or trying to correct past mistakes. Genuine repentance involves submitting to God's current instructions, aligning our will with His, and moving forward in His timing and way.

 

It's a reorientation of the heart, a turning from self-reliance to God-dependence. 

 

The text also warns us about the danger of presumption. Acting without God's sanction, even with good intentions, can lead to disaster. This principle echoes throughout Scripture, reminding us of our utter dependence on God's guidance and presence. As the psalmist declares, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain" (Ps. 127:1).

 

While the consequences of sin are sobering, this passage also testifies to God's enduring faithfulness. Despite Israel's rebellion, God's promise to bring them into the land remains. This unwavering commitment offers hope and encouragement to believers in all ages. As Paul reminds us, "If we are faithless, he remains faithful" (2 Tim. 2:13).

 

In our spiritual journey, we often face situations similar to Israel's. When we've failed or disobeyed God, our natural inclination might be to immediately try to "fix" the situation. However, this passage teaches us to pause, listen to God's current instructions, and move forward in His timing and way.

 

Moreover, we learn the importance of discerning between godly zeal and presumptuous action. True faith manifests not in impulsive decisions but in careful obedience to God's word. It's about aligning our hearts with God's will, even when it means taking a different path than we initially envisioned, or even different than God revealed to us in the past.

 

This passage reminds us that while our disobedience may alter our journey, it doesn't negate God's promises. He remains faithful, guiding us through the consequences of our actions and ultimately bringing us to His intended destination.

 

Our detours and delays don't derail His ultimate plan. In fact, in the wake of our failures, our detours and delays become a part of God's plan for us. It's the new path we're to take, even if the destination remains the same. Even if it feels like the destination is just ahead, if we're not spiritually ready to receive God's fulfillment of His plan for us, we do better to accept with humility the wilderness He requires us to endure.

 

The wilderness isn't all about judgment. It's about course-correction. It's not about a capricious God, who over-reacts and punishes us for momentary weakness. It's about a God who knows what it takes to mold us, to make us, to prepare us for the future. He has a plan, but He doesn't just pop the "destination" into your GPS and give you a choice of various route options.

 

He also selects the best route. The route you need to take. Because God's interest isn't just that you get where He wants to take you, it's that you become the mature Child he's called you to be.

 

That's why the journey, not the destination, is at the heart of Christian obedience. God isn't a utilitarian. He's not a mere pragmatist, interested to see you "get things done." He's interested in seeing you become who He designed you to be.

 

Sometimes that requires a wilderness. In the eyes of faith, we can see the sorrow, the suffering, the time of "waiting" and "growth" as an act of grace, a severe mercy.

 

We also have to endure it as long as God requires. For Israel, it was forty years. At any time, they could have charged back into the promised land. They could have gone back after ten, or twenty, or thirty years... but God wasn't done with them. God had more to do with them in the wilderness.

 

Submitting to God's discipline, His timing, is a part of how we learn obedience again in the wake of our failures.

 

You see, God doesn't make you go through the wilderness because he's ticked off, or fickle. He leads you through the wilderness because He loves you. It's where he refines our faith so that the next time we face that dragon, we'll be ready to knight-up!

 

God Bless!

Judah