The wages of sin

And so we come to the second reason for the book of Numbers…the numbering of the people after the original generation that came out of Egypt died off.

But what’s interesting to me in this numbering is that Moses seems to add tidbits of information that seem to be warnings for the people.

The warning?

The wages of sin.

First, he brings up the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with all their followers.  (Numbers 26:9-10)

Then he brings up the sons of Judah, Er and Onan, who died for their wickedness.  (Verse 19; also see Genesis 38 for the full story).

Then the story of Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu who offered unauthorized fire at the Lord’s altar.

And finally, of course, all the Israelites in the desert because of their lack of faith in God.

Chapter 27 then reiterates why Moses wouldn’t be able to enter the promised land: his disobedience in the desert of Zin.

What does this all show?

It shows that the wages of sin is death.  That it is because of our sin that we will all die someday.

It says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death.”

There is no getting away from it.

Sin is such a serious problem that all of us will die someday (unless Jesus comes back first, of course).

And because of our sin, none of us deserve to enter the Promised Land, that is heaven.

But the good news is found in the latter half of Romans 6:23.

It says, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Because Jesus died on the cross, our sins have been paid for.  And if we’ll just put our trust in him, we will be able to enter the Promised Land someday.

And even now, we can enter into God’s presence without fear.

How about you?  Have you put in your faith in Christ?  Do you know for sure that you’ll enter the Promised Land someday?