Números 32:23

DISCOURSE: 183
THE CERTAINTY THAT SIN WILL FIND US OUT

Números 32:23. Behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.

THE fear of punishment, if not the best, is certainly the most common preservative from sin. Under the Mosaic dispensation it was the principal motive with which the divine commands were enforced. Nor did St. Paul, though so well acquainted with the liberal spirit of the Gospel, think it wrong to “persuade men by the terrors of the Lord.” The words before us therefore may, not improperly, be addressed to us [Note: The tribes of Reuben and Gad had solicited permission to have the land of Jazer and of Gilead for their portion, instead of any inheritance in the land of Canaan. Upon their promising to fight in conjunction with the other tribes until the whole of Canaan should be subdued, Moses acceded to their proposal; but warned them withal, that, if they receded from their engagement, they should assuredly meet with a due recompence from God.].

We may take occasion from them to consider,

I. In what manner we have sinned against the Lord—

It would be endless to attempt an enumeration of all the sins we have committed. We shall confine ourselves to that view of them which the context suggests—
[The sin against which Moses cautioned the two tribes was, unfaithfulness to their engagements, and a preferring of their present ease to the executing of the work which God had assigned them. Now we promised at our baptism to renounce the world, the flesh, and the devil [Note: See the Church Catechism.]. These promises then made for us, we have renewed at our confirmation and at the Lord’s table: but how have we kept the covenant which we have thus solemnly entered into? Have we not maintained that friendship with the world which is enmity with God [Note: Tiago 4:4.]? Have we not rather sought to please than to mortify our carnal appetites [Note: Tito 3:3.]? Has not the god of this world led us captive at his will [Note: Efésios 2:2; 2 Timóteo 2:26.]? And is not such a life one continued violation of our baptismal engagements?]

But the sin referred to in the text, will scarcely bear any comparison with ours—
[The Israelites were to maintain a warfare with men; we, with the devil [Note: Efésios 6:12.]. They were to fight for an earthly portion; we, an heavenly [Note: 1 Coríntios 9:25.]. They might have urged that their aid was unnecessary, when God was engaged; and that, after all, the prize was an inadequate reward for such fatigue and danger. But, can we hope to conquer without exerting our own powers? Do we suppose that God will subdue our enemies without our concurrence? Or can we say that the prize held forth to us is not worth the contest? If our engagements be more solemn, our work more noble, and our reward more glorious than theirs, our sin in disregarding all must be proportionably greater: yet who amongst us must not confess that he has forgotten all his vows? Behold then, we may say to all, “Ye have sinned against the Lord.”]

Nor are we to suppose that our sin will always pass unnoticed—

II.

What assurance we have that our sin shall find us out—

Sin may be said to find us out when it brings down the divine judgments upon us—
[Conscience, stupified or seared, often forgets to execute its office; nor speaks, till God, by his providence or grace, awaken it Sometimes years elapse before it reproves our iniquities [Note: Gênesis 42:21.]: sometimes it testifies to our face as soon as our sin is committed [Note: Mateus 26:74; Mateus 27:3.]. Whenever it thus condemns us, our sins may be said to find us out. But the expression in the text imports rather the visitation of God for sin. There is a punishment annexed to every violation of God’s law [Note: Ezequiel 18:4.]; and sin then finds us out effectually when it brings that punishment upon us.]

That it will find us out, we have the fullest possible assurance—
[The perfections of God’s nature absolutely preclude all hope of impunity. If he be omnipresent, he must see; if omniscient, remember; if holy, hate; and if just, punish the violations of his law. If he be possessed of veracity and power, he must execute the judgments he has denounced.

The declarations of hit Word abundantly confirm this awful truth [Note: Isaías 3:11; Romanos 2:9; Salmos 21:8; Provérbios 11:21.]. Sin leaves a track which can never be effaced; and evil, however slow-paced, will surely overtake it [Note: Provérbios 13:21; Salmos 140:11.]. However scoffers may exult in their security, their ruin is fast approaching [Note: 2 Pedro 2:3; 2 Pedro 3:4; 2 Pedro 3:9 and Deuteronômio 29:19.].

The remarkable instances of sin being detected and punished in this world afford a strong additional testimony. David and Gehazi, though so studious to conceal their guilt, had their iniquity marked in the punishment inflicted for it [Note: 2 Samuel 12:9; 2 Reis 5:26.]. When, according to human calculations, it was above two millions to one that Achan would escape, the lot fell on him by an infallible direction [Note: Josué 7:14.]. How much more then shall the most hidden things be brought to light hereafter!

The appointment of a day of final retribution puts the matter beyond a possibility of doubt. For what end can there be such a period fixed, but that the actions of men may be judged? And for what end can they be judged, but that every man may receive according to his deeds [Note: Eclesiastes 12:14.]? We may then emphatically say to every sinner, “Be sure your sin,” &c.]

Infer,
1.

How earnest should we be in searching out our own sins!

[We think little of evils which have been committed by us long ago, and imagine that they are effaced from God’s memory as well as from our own: but every action, word, and thought, is noted in the book of his remembrance. He sees the transactions of former years as if they had this moment passed. All our iniquities are viewed by him in one accumulated mass; nor does he abhor them less than in the very instant they were committed. Let us not then pass them over, or palliate them, as youthful follies. Let us remember how exactly the Lord’s threatenings were executed on the Israelites in the wilderness [Note: Números 32:10.]; and endeavour to avert his judgments while space for repentance is allowed us. Let us mourn over our innumerable violations of our baptismal covenant Let us lament our solicitude about a present portion, our aversion to fight the Lord’s battles, and our indifference about the heavenly Canaan. We must repent of these things, or lie under the guilt of them for ever [Note: Salmos 50:21; Lucas 13:3.]

2. How thankful should we be that a way of escape is provided for us!

[It is not sin lamented, but sin unrepented of, which will find us out. There is a city of refuge provided for those who will flee to it [Note: Hebreus 6:18.]. The man, Christ Jesus, is an hiding-place from the impending storm [Note: Isaías 32:2.]. If we flee to him, we may be sure that sin shall NOT find us out. Every perfection of the Deity is pledged to save a believing penitent [Note: 1 João 1:9.]. We are confirmed in this hope by the most positive declarations of Scripture [Note: Isaías 44:22; Miquéias 7:19; Hebreus 8:12.]. We have most authentic and astonishing instances of sin forgiven [Note: 2 Samuel 12:13; Lucas 7:47; Lucas 23:43.]; and the day of judgment is appointed no less for the complete justification of believers than for the condemnation of unbelievers [Note: 2 Tessalonicenses 1:9.]. Let this blessed assurance then dwell richly on our minds. Let it encourage us to take refuge under the Saviour’s wings [Note: Mateus 23:37.]. Let an holy confidence inspire those who have committed their souls to him [Note: 2 Timóteo 1:12.]. And let all rejoice and glory in him as able to save them to the uttermost [Note: Hebreus 7:25.]