Numbers 14:21
"Yet as surely as I live and as surely as the whole earth is filled with the glory of the LORD,
Nevertheless
This word serves as a pivotal transition in the narrative, indicating a shift from the preceding context of Israel's rebellion and God's judgment. It introduces a divine declaration that stands firm despite human failure. In Hebrew, the word often translated as "nevertheless" is "ulam," which conveys a sense of contrast and determination. It underscores God's unwavering purpose and faithfulness, even when His people falter.

as surely as I live
This phrase is an oath, a solemn declaration of God's eternal existence and unchanging nature. In Hebrew, "chai ani" is a powerful affirmation of God's life and presence. It emphasizes His sovereignty and the certainty of His promises. The living God is not an abstract concept but a dynamic, active presence in the world, ensuring that His will is accomplished.

and as surely as the whole earth
The scope of this phrase is universal, indicating that God's plans and purposes extend beyond Israel to encompass all creation. The Hebrew word for "earth" is "eretz," which can mean land, country, or the entire world. This reflects the biblical theme that God's covenant and glory are not confined to a single nation but are intended for all humanity.

is filled with the glory
The term "glory" in Hebrew is "kavod," which signifies weight, honor, and splendor. It is a manifestation of God's presence and majesty. The filling of the earth with God's glory suggests a future reality where His divine attributes and reign are recognized and revered universally. This anticipates the eschatological hope found throughout Scripture, where God's kingdom is fully realized.

of the LORD
The name "LORD" in all capital letters represents the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, the personal and covenantal name of God. It signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. The use of this name here reinforces the idea that the fulfillment of God's glory filling the earth is rooted in His character and covenantal faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is speaking in this verse, affirming His sovereignty and the certainty of His promises.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who intercedes for the people after their rebellion and lack of faith in entering the Promised Land.

3. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who have just expressed doubt and fear about entering Canaan, leading to God's declaration of judgment.

4. The Promised Land (Canaan)
The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which the Israelites are on the brink of entering.

5. The Wilderness
The place where the Israelites are currently wandering due to their disobedience and lack of faith.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness
Despite human failure and rebellion, God's plans and purposes remain unshaken. His declaration that the earth will be filled with His glory is a testament to His ultimate control and faithfulness to His promises.

The Certainty of God's Promises
The phrase "as surely as I live" underscores the certainty and unchangeable nature of God's word. Believers can trust that what God has spoken will come to pass.

The Call to Reflect God's Glory
As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect God's glory in our lives. This involves living in obedience, faith, and love, so that others may see God's character through us.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The context of this verse is a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith. It serves as a warning to remain faithful and trust in God's promises.

Hope in God's Ultimate Plan
This verse provides hope that despite current circumstances, God's ultimate plan is for His glory to be recognized throughout the earth. This gives believers a future-oriented perspective, encouraging perseverance and faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the declaration in Numbers 14:21 about God's glory filling the earth encourage you in your current circumstances?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in reflecting God's glory in your community and daily life?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty and faithfulness help you trust Him more deeply, especially in times of uncertainty?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to avoid the pitfalls of disobedience and lack of faith, as demonstrated by the Israelites?

5. How do the connections to other scriptures, such as Habakkuk 2:14 and Isaiah 6:3, enhance your understanding of God's plan for His glory to be recognized universally?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Habakkuk 2:14
This verse echoes the promise that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, reinforcing the theme of God's ultimate plan for His glory to be recognized universally.

Isaiah 6:3
The seraphim proclaim that the whole earth is full of God's glory, highlighting the continuous and pervasive nature of God's presence and majesty.

Psalm 72:19
A prayer for the earth to be filled with God's glory, aligning with the prophetic declaration in Numbers 14:21.
The Could not Enter in Because of UnbeliefW. Binnie Numbers 14:1-45
A Bitter DisappointmentF. B. Meyer, B. A.Numbers 14:20-23
God's Answer to Moses' PrayerHenry, MatthewNumbers 14:20-23
God's GloryH. W. Beecher.Numbers 14:20-23
The Earth Filled with the Glory of the LordS. Miller.Numbers 14:20-23
The Majestic ConsummationR. S. Storrs, D. D.Numbers 14:20-23
The Result of One .False StepR. A. Hallam, D. D.Numbers 14:20-23
The Ultimate DecisionD. Young Numbers 14:20-23
People
Aaron, Amalekites, Caleb, Canaanites, Egyptians, Israelites, Jephunneh, Joshua, Moses, Nun
Places
Egypt, Hormah, Kadesh-barnea, Red Sea
Topics
Deed, Filled, Fills, Full, Glory, Honour, Indeed, Surely, Truly, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 14:21

     1045   God, glory of
     1110   God, present everywhere
     7949   mission, of Israel

Numbers 14:13-39

     6257   unbelievers

Numbers 14:20-24

     8720   double-mindedness

Numbers 14:20-35

     5431   oaths, divine

Numbers 14:20-38

     7258   promised land, early history

Numbers 14:21-23

     1193   glory, revelation of

Library
Moses the Intercessor
'Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.' --NUM. xiv. 19. See how in this story a divine threat is averted and a divine promise is broken, thus revealing a standing law that these in Scripture are conditional. This striking incident of Moses' intercession suggests to us some thoughts as to I. The ground of the divine forgiveness. The appeal is not based on anything in the people.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Weighed, and Found Wanting
'And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron; and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3. And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4. And they said one
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Order and Argument in Prayer
It is further observable that though a good man hastens to God in his trouble, and runs with all the more speed because of the unkindness of his fellow men, yet sometimes the gracious soul is left without the comfortable presence of God. This is the worst of all griefs; the text is one of Job's deep groans, far deeper than any which came from him on account of the loss of his children and his property: "Oh that I knew where I might find HIM!" The worst of all losses is to lose the smile of my God.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 12: 1866

The Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan

Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 11, 33-36. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon was first printed in 1535, at Wittenberg.] 1. This festival requires us to instruct the people in the dogma of the Holy Trinity, and to strengthen both memory and faith concerning it. This is the reason why we take up the subject once more. Without proper instruction and a sound foundation in this regard, other dogmas cannot be rightly and successfully treated. The other festivals of the year present
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What,"
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own
James Denney—The Death of Christ

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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