GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS

 

God’s attributes include, but are not limited to, justice. He is the perfect parent: He does not rebuke one child for some wrong while excusing another child for doing the exact same thing. Human parents are not consistent 100% of the time in enforcing rules they themselves have set. Depending on what’s going on and how they’re feeling at any given time, their responses could differ about the same rule. Not so with God!

Moses had a very close relationship with God; God chose him to lead the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt into Canaan, the land He had promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants. God often confided in Moses, telling him His plans ahead of time. When Moses interceded for the people, God took his concerns into consideration, almost like accepting Moses’ advice.

For example, when Moses was up on Mount Sinai to bring down the Ten Commandments, the people got impatient and had Aaron make a golden calf for their god. God threatened to destroy them: “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation” (Exodus 32:9-10).

You might think Moses would jump up and down at the thought of being elevated to the position of father of many nations. Instead, Moses immediately disagreed, reminding God, “O LORD! Why are you so angry with your own people …? why let the Egyptians say, ‘Their God rescued them with the evil intention of slaughtering them in the mountains and wiping them from the face of the earth?’” (Exodus 9:11-12). God listened to Moses and did not carry out His threat.

With the kind of relationship the two shared, you might think Moses never faced God’s discipline. But you would be wrong. God did not cut him any slack when, out of frustration, he did something totally different from God’s instruction. God’s instruction to Moses was, “As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water” (Numbers 20:8). Moses got the people to gather at the rock, and then addressed them: “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring you water from this rock?” (Numbers 20:10). Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice, and water gushed out as God had promised would happen, and the people had water to drink.

God could not turn a blind eye to what happened; He didn’t sweep it under the rug. Instead, He rebuked Moses: “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them” (Numbers 20:12). What?  For just one single offense? Yes! Moses pleaded with the Lord: “Please let me cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon mountains” (Deuteronomy 3:25). God’s angry response was: “That’s enough! Speak of it no more” (Deuteronomy 3:26). Moses’ hope was dashed.

  Years later, when they were nearing the end of their journey before crossing the Jordan, God brought up the incident where Moses struck the rock; He instructed Moses to climb Mount Nebo, and from there He showed him the whole land of Canaan. God then said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your eyes, but you will not enter the land” (Deuteronomy 34:4). Wow! How sad and disappointing. One act of disobedience, and Moses lost the privilege to enter the Promised Land! Sure enough, Moses died on the mountain, and the LORD buried him: but exactly where? No one knows!

Interestingly, though, the Scriptures say of Moses, “There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10). So, knowing God face to face does not get you off the hook. God will punish sin no matter who commits it. We can trust His justice; Let’s learn to obey Him in all things. Never think you are too special and can do as you please. God is no respecter of persons, including you and me.