Hello Steve,
Besides complimenting you on your excellent post, I have what is probably a dumb question. You noted that in Exodus an adult is age 20. Would you please give me the book and verse which states this? Thanks much! YSIC, Diana
Dear Diana,
I am glad you enjoyed the article. Normally, when I write something I try to list all the references, chapter and verse. That allows others to verify and make their decisions concerning interpretation. I was getting a little pressed for time and made the comment as an event of the exodus, though I may have capitilized it and implied that it was in the book of Exodus. I do not think it is in the book of Exodus, though it is recorded as part of the 40 year wandering of the Hebrew children following the exodus and it is found in Numbers 14:29-33 and again in Numbers 32:11-13.
It comes up about 2 years after the exodus when a member of each tribe is selected to go over Jordon and scout out the promised land and bring back a report. It was at the time of the firstripe grapes and they scouted the land 40 days. When they came back, they gave an evil report of giants etc, all except Joshua and Caleb. The people did not want to go in and blamed Moses and God. Due to their many other sins and lack of belief, God curses that generation and those 20 years old and upward are forbidden to enter the promised land. Their children are required to wander 38 more years, totaling 40 until all the adults are dead. For many, their normal liftetime years were cut short.
Numbers 14:29 -- "Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from 20 years old and upward, which have murmured against me. 30 --Doubtless, ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 --But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. 32 --But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. 33 -- And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness."The next group of verses occur as they wander on the east side of Jordan. Reuben and Gad see that the land is good for cattle and want the land given to them for a possession and not go over Jordan. The Lord's anger is again kindled at their attitude and he sware:
Numbers 32:11 -- "Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me; 12 -- Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Num: for they have wholly followed the Lord. 13 -- and the Lord's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed."
There is clearly a generational dividing mark here. The adult generation would not cross over except the two who had wholly followed God. The children were obviously not held accountable for the sins of their parents and God was willing to forgive whatever sins they may have committed. If you go back to Numbers 14:22, you will notice that the older generation had sinned and tempted God ten times. It was not just a one time thing. Even after all the miracles God had shown them, they continuously complained and doubted God. They were hardened in their lack of faith. The children were yet tender and their failures could be forgiven.
Having children around this age, two just older and one who will be 20 this summer, there is always the parent's question of when our children are accountable. I had one child die at age 11. Just in case this is an area of concern, let me say this. I personally think the above passage is for the purpose of establishing a prophetic marker, not the establishing of some magic age of individual accountability. I have read the Bible from cover to cover and much of it many times. I have found nothing that to me shows a specific age of "adult" accountability.
Quite the contrary. God judges the heart and has an intimate knowledge of every individual. The word says that God knows even the number of hairs on our head. He knows when every sparrow falls and we are much more important than they. He says every deed, word, even thoughts and intents are not only known, but are recorded in the books. (The book of Life is a separate book.) Jesus says unto whom much is given, much is required. It is apparant to me that God judges each person individually and he does so with a very intimate knowledge. Even man can easily see that some are given much more than others, mentally, physically, materially, financially etc. Some have severe handicaps, some are raised in poor homes and terrible circumstances.
If you have more than one, you will surely see there are great differences in their personalities and how you must handle each one. As parents we get to participate in the creation process. Our children's bodies, including the mind, are a jumble of our genes. But their spirit, I believe, comes directly from God. Not only is their body unique, but so is their spirit and so is the circumstances which they will face in life. I believe the age of accountability is an individual thing and the judgment of each person both for eternal life and rewards is an individual thing. Only God could ever be such a judge and particularly Jesus who was both man and God.
The area that I was writing about in my Fivedoves article concerned those worthy of the first resurrection on whom the second death has no power (Rev 20:5-6). It includes the worthy saints who were resurrected and ascended with Jesus, the pre-tribulation bride and the tribulation saints. All these will receive the reward of serving as kings and priests with Jesus in his 1000 year earthly kingdom. It appears to me that these have undergone trials and have been proven worthy for this reward. These trials and afflictions are part of our testing and sanctification process. They are over and above the freely given justifcation which saves.
Contrary to much of the prosperity preaching, God desires us first to be holy (righteous). Many believe that all those saved by the blood will be raptured out and miss the tribulation, but nowhere in scripture does Jesus teach us that this is a reward of salvation. The word worthy is mentioned here. Luke 21:36 tells us to pray always that we are worthy to stand before the Son of man and miss the coming hour of trial. The 10 virgins indicate a split. A review of the 7 churches in Rev 2 and 3 indicate some are worthy and some are not. I personally know that I am saved, but I am not so sure I am worthy of being a king and priest with Christ. I think this is evident with Paul in his writings. Even so, Paul teaches us we must endure to the end.
When a person is saved (justified by the blood of Jesus) they then have eternal life. John 3:16 -- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Versions of this are stated several times in the New Testament, whosoever believeth on me have eternal life, shall be saved etc. Being justified (saved, given eternal life) is always tied to the resurrection at the last day. John 6:44 -- "No man can come to me, except the Father which have sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." At the end of the 1000 years is the general resurrection at the last day. These will undergo the great white throne judgement. Many preach that all who undergo this are sentenced to hell, but John tells us different. John 5:21-29 tells us the Father has given all judgement unto the Son. Vs 28-29 -- "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation." It appears to me that there is some judgement here, one that takes into account many who may have never heard of Jesus for whatever reason.
I hope I didn't go too far in answering your question. I certainly do not intend to offend or insult your intelligence. Being a parent myself and having some good friends who just lost a 21 year old son, I wondered if maybe there was something else underlying your question. I surely hope I have not confused you in any way. Thanks for writing. Please ask questions, make comments or just have a friendly gab anytime. I don't have all the answers, but am beginning to get a pretty solid foundation, particularly in certain areas. I do believe that if you seek, you will eventually find. God does tell us to study to make ourselves approved. There is a whole lot of deception going on in the press, on TV etc. Study, pray and maintain your obedience of Jesus' commandments that you not only do not fall for the deceptions, but that you might be found worthy. It could be any day, any feast, but next spring, maybe right before summer, looks mighty promising. Jesus also says, those who love me, watch. Thanks again for writing. Steve