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{{DOD-February}}
Today's reading covers the offerings of the princes, the dedication of the Tabernacle, consecration of the Levites, observance of the Passover, and the guiding cloud for the people of [[Israel]]. The Book of Numbers has a tremendous spiritual lesson for [[Christians]] today, as explained in Hebrews 3 and 4, and I Corinthians 10:1-15. [[God]] honors [[faith]] and punishes unbelief. At the root of all [[Israel]]'s [[sin]] in the wilderness was unbelief; they did not trust [[God]]'s Word. At Kadesh-Barnea they doubted [[God]]'s [[Word]] and failed to enter into their inheritance. Instead of claiming Canaan in [[faith]], they wandered in the wilderness of unbelief.
Many [[Christians]] today are "in between" in their spiritual lives. They have been delivered from [[Egypt]] by the blood of the Lamb, but they have not yet entered into their inheritance in Christ [[Jesus]]. Canaan is not a picture of [[heaven]]. Rather, it is an illustration of our spiritual inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), an inheritance that must be claimed by [[faith]]. Canaan was a land of battles and blessings, as is the [[Christian]] life today. Too many [[Christians]] fail to enter into all that [[God]] has for them. Instead of being conquerors (as described in Joshua), they become wanderers (as described in Numbers). Many are saved, but fail to fulfill [[God]]'s purpose for their lives.
As we read the Book of Numbers, it is interesting to note that the nation did not grow in their wilderness wanderings; in fact, the second census showed 1,820 fewer men of war. The nation wasted 38 years, endured unnecessary afflictions, did not grow and, in general, did not honor [[God]] while they were marching in the wilderness. This is what unbelief does to [[Christians]]. It produces wasted time, wasted effort, and no blessing.