Numbers 14:20 “Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word.”
Israel had sinned again, and God was displeased with them. This time, it was because they rejected Him (Numbers 14:11). This rejection of the Lord occurred when Israel refused to believe God regarding the land of Canaan. Before this, they received instructions to spy out the land. When they went, only two men—Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb—believed that although the land was inhabited by giants and wicked men, if it was God’s will for them to have the land, then He would lead them in and give it to them (Numbers 14:8).
It displeased God that only two men from the entire nation of Israel believed in Him. He was so displeased that He considered it rejection and resolved to strike them with pestilence, disinherit them, and replace them (Numbers 14:12). When Moses heard this, he interceded. He told God that if He did strike the nation with pestilence, disinherit them, and replace them, the Egyptians would believe it was because God was unable to bring His people into the land. In other words, God would not be seen as the great, powerful, mighty God that they perceived Him to be. He would lose the respect He had gained.
Moses asked God to be merciful and pardon their iniquity according to His mercy, and God answered Moses’ prayer. “The Lord said, ‘I have pardoned, according to your word.’” Instead of striking the nation with pestilence, disinheriting them, and replacing them, He decided that only Joshua and Caleb from this generation would see the promised land. It was because of Moses’ plea and the mercy of the Lord that this generation of Israel was not destroyed. This shows that God honors the words we bring before Him. There are times when we are called to stand on behalf of people who have rejected God and have not believed in Him, and God will extend mercy to them because of the words we bring to Him. Don’t overlook this privilege! If you know of those whom God is displeased with, and perhaps you sense pestilence, disinheritance, and replacement are due to them, go before the Lord with a prayer asking Him to forgive according to the greatness of His mercy, and He may honor your plea as He did for Moses and pardon their iniquity.
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