Numbers 14:40, 44 And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised; for we have sinned….But they presumed to go up unto the hilltop: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.
After Israel realized they had sinned in unbelief in regard to entering the Kingdom, they presumed to go up and take the land. This they attempted by themselves in their own strength. This they did without God: the ark and Moses did not go with them, indicating they acted on their own without God’s command or His presence. They were immediately chased back and defeated by the enemies. The lesson was clear: don’t presume to go it alone. They waited another 38 years before they went up under Joshua according to God’s Word, His command, His presence, and His timing. Then God was with them, and they were successful.
“These things were written for our learning.” The NT believer learns that Jesus is always with you, but He does not go with you when you presume to be good enough and strong enough by yourself. We go with God and not alone by our own reason or strength. We always fail. Jesus never fails. We do not try to be better, try to fix ourselves, or try to do good to right what we did wrong. We confess our sin and empty works, receive forgiveness, and desire to go with God when and where He leads. We don’t presume like a Pharisee, but beg mercy like a Publican. The choice is clear: trust in self or trust in God.