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260
The Beginning of the End
therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have
given them.’” They must die before the crossing of the Jordan. They
had not sinned willfully or deliberately—they had been overcome
by a sudden temptation, and their repentance was immediate and
heartfelt. The Lord accepted their repentance, but because of the
harm their sin might do among the people, He could not cancel its
punishment.
Moses told the people that because he had failed to give the
glory to God, he could not lead them into the Promised Land. He
asked them to notice the severe punishment given to him, and then
consider how God must regard their complaints in blaming a mere
man for the judgments that they had brought on themselves. He told
them how he had pleaded with God to cancel the sentence and had
been refused.
Throughout their journeys as they had complained of the diffi-
culties along the way, Moses had told them, “Your murmurings are
against God. It is not I, but God, who has worked to deliver you.”
But his hasty words, “Shall we bring water?” were virtually admit-
ting their charge was right. His mistake would then confirm them in
their unbelief and justify their complaints. The Lord would remove
this impression from their minds forever by forbidding Moses to
enter the Promised Land. Here was unmistakable evidence that their
leader was not Moses but the mighty Angel of whom the Lord had
said, “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way
and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of
Him and obey His voice; ... for My name is in Him”
Exodus 23:20,
21
.
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Why the Sin of Moses and Aaron Must Be Punished
“The Lord was angry with me on your account,” said Moses.
The whole congregation knew about the transgression. If God had
passed it by lightly, the people would have thought that a leader’s
impatience under great pressure might be excused. But when Moses
and Aaron were not to enter Canaan because of that one sin, the
people knew that God does not play favorites.
People of all future time must see the God of heaven as impartial,
one who never justifies sin. God’s goodness and love prompt Him