God’s power and mercy stand as the bedrock of faith for every generation.
Moses, who lived around 1526-1406 BC, leads the Israelites through their wilderness journey after the Exodus as their chosen prophet and mediator before God. In this pivotal moment, he intercedes on behalf of the people in the vicinity of the land of Canaan—geographically located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, often described in Scripture as a land flowing with milk and honey. In Numbers 14:17, he implores the Almighty with these words: “But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared” (v.17). By uttering this prayer, Moses seeks a renewed demonstration of God’s power to forgive, protect, and uphold the covenant He has made with Israel, showcasing the leader’s deep trust in divine promises, even after the people have shown fear and disbelief.
When Moses says, “let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared” (v.17), he appeals to God’s own statement of His nature. Earlier in this chapter, the Israelites doubted God’s ability to bring them into the Promised Land, losing hope because of intimidating reports from spies. Moses reminds the Lord—and his hearers—that God has already revealed Himself to be patient, abounding in lovingkindness, and faithful to His word. This echoes the greater theme of Scripture, where God’s merciful power contrasts with human weakness, culminating in the New Testament revelation of Jesus, who embodied God’s power and grace for redemption (John 3:16). Here in the wilderness of Paran, Moses stands boldly in intercession, affirming that the mercy and might of God are fully intertwined.
This verse underscores how God’s power is not just about raw strength but upholding His covenant and character. By praying “let the power of the Lord be great” (v.17), Moses highlights that genuine divine power includes compassion, forgiveness, and steadfast love. The prayer also anticipates how Christ would ultimately demonstrate God’s power through His sacrificial death and resurrection (Romans 5:8-10), affirming that God’s greatest strength is shown through redeeming a fallen people. The faith Moses exhibits encourages believers of all generations to trust that God’s promises stand firm, no matter the obstacles.
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Numbers 14:17 meaning
Moses, who lived around 1526-1406 BC, leads the Israelites through their wilderness journey after the Exodus as their chosen prophet and mediator before God. In this pivotal moment, he intercedes on behalf of the people in the vicinity of the land of Canaan—geographically located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, often described in Scripture as a land flowing with milk and honey. In Numbers 14:17, he implores the Almighty with these words: “But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared” (v.17). By uttering this prayer, Moses seeks a renewed demonstration of God’s power to forgive, protect, and uphold the covenant He has made with Israel, showcasing the leader’s deep trust in divine promises, even after the people have shown fear and disbelief.
When Moses says, “let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared” (v.17), he appeals to God’s own statement of His nature. Earlier in this chapter, the Israelites doubted God’s ability to bring them into the Promised Land, losing hope because of intimidating reports from spies. Moses reminds the Lord—and his hearers—that God has already revealed Himself to be patient, abounding in lovingkindness, and faithful to His word. This echoes the greater theme of Scripture, where God’s merciful power contrasts with human weakness, culminating in the New Testament revelation of Jesus, who embodied God’s power and grace for redemption (John 3:16). Here in the wilderness of Paran, Moses stands boldly in intercession, affirming that the mercy and might of God are fully intertwined.
This verse underscores how God’s power is not just about raw strength but upholding His covenant and character. By praying “let the power of the Lord be great” (v.17), Moses highlights that genuine divine power includes compassion, forgiveness, and steadfast love. The prayer also anticipates how Christ would ultimately demonstrate God’s power through His sacrificial death and resurrection (Romans 5:8-10), affirming that God’s greatest strength is shown through redeeming a fallen people. The faith Moses exhibits encourages believers of all generations to trust that God’s promises stand firm, no matter the obstacles.