The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for Numbers 14:26–35, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). This passage is not assigned as a reading for any particular Sunday. However, St. Paul references this even in the Epistle Reading for Septuagesima, 1 Corinthians 9:4–10:5. Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.
III. Moses’s intercession for the people, and what he thereby accomplished. (v. 13–35)
Annotated Text
26. And the Lord spoke with Moses and Aaron (what God had recently said to Moses only [v. 20–25], He repeated with more detail in the presence of Aaron), and said:
27. “How * long will this evil congregation murmur against Me?1 For I have heard the murmuring of the children of Israel, that they have murmured against Me.
* Psalm 106:25
1 Hebrew: “How long shall I overlook this evil congregation, which (still) murmurs against Me (incessantly)?”
28. Therefore, say to them, ‘As truly as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘I will do to you, that which you have said before my ears (since you have clarified that you would much rather die in this wilderness than cross over into the promised land, v. 2).
29. Your * bodies shall decay (and not be buried in the promised land where your forefathers, the patriarchs, lie) in this wilderness (that is so unpleasant to you); and all of you who were numbered1 from twenty years old and above, you who have murmured against Me (as well as your wives who likewise murmured, all of you together),
* Psalm 106:26; Hebrews 3:17 (Numbers 1–2; Joshua 14:6)
1 Hebrew: “as many as are yours”
30. You shall not come into the land over which I have lifted up my hand (sworn), that I would let you dwell therein; except * Caleb, the son of Jephunneh and Joshua, the son of Nun (and others from the tribe of Levi, who did not concur with your murmuring).
* Numbers 26:65, 32:12
31. Your * children, of whom you said, ‘They will be prey’ (v. 3), I will bring them in, that they shall know (and occupy) the land, which you have despised.
* Deuteronomy 1:39
32. But you, together with * your bodies, shall decay in this wilderness.
* Numbers 14:36
33. And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness (tending livestock; indeed, even themselves wandering about as a herd of cattle in the wilderness) for forty years (the two years that have already passed being included, Deuteronomy 2:14), and they shall bear * your harlotry (to repay your wickedness and unfaithfulness against Me, your faithful God, and to fully make you partakers of your spiritual harlotry, namely, the idolatry and murmuring against Me), until your bodies are all in the wilderness (until they are altogether ground up);
* Psalm 95:10–11; Ezekiel 4:6; Hebrews 3:17
34. According to the number of forty days in which you had scouted the land, for each you shall count a year (as many days as you spent scouting the land of Canaan, so many years you shall still remain in the wilderness), so that they2 shall bear your misdeeds for forty years (and not only your children, but also you yourselves, inasmuch as within such time you shall be decimated and die), * so that you (experience in fact and) become aware what it is when I withdraw2 (and, in addition, oppose myself to them in My wrath) the † hand (My grace, protection, and assistance from stiff-necked sinners).
1 Hebrew: “You shall”
* Jeremiah 2:19
2 Hebrew: “when one makes Me turn away (that is, hinders My purpose, as you have done).” See Numbers 30:6, 12; 32:7, 9.
† Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Psalm 74:11
35. I * the Lord have spoken that I will also do so to all this evil congregation, who have rebelled against Me. In this wilderness they shall all be, and there they shall die (and thus remain).’”
* Ezekiel 5:17
Useful Applications
III. DOCTRINE: Concerning God’s righteous judgment against impatient doubters. (v. 26, 35)
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 