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The Perils Of Paran
Contributed by Chris Johnson on Oct 17, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: The Christian life is fraught with dangers illustrated by Israel’s experience in Paran.
What Paran was supposed to be for the Children of Israel.
1. A Place to Catch a New Vision of God’s Promise for Them.
They had seen it from far but now they could view it up close.
2. A Place to Taste of Sample of What God Had in Store for them.
Not only look but actually taste and see that the Lord is good.
3. A Place to Launch out into the Promises of God.
The Lord was going to bring them into what He promised.
But Paran instead became of place of judgment and destruction; a place that would be looked back on with sorrow and shock.
What are the Perils of Paran? Why is it dangerous when we are on the very border of the blessings?
I. Vv. 31-33—Unbelief.
A. They knew that God had not lied about the goodness of the Land.
B. Now they wondered if He was able to bring them into this goodness.
C. Hebrews 3:19-4:1 "So we see that they could not enter in because ofunbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it."
II. 14: 1-10—Rebellion.
A. Rebellion is wanting to do things our own way and taking things into our own hands.
B. Rebelled against God’s Promise, Against God’s Leadership, and Against God’s Plan.
III. 14: 39-45—Presumption.
A. To presume is to act proudly and outside of God’s authorization.
B. Attempting to do God’s work our way and by our own power—without God’s direction or presence.