Why 40 Years?
By Pastor Tony O’Aufa
Hello, fellow Papua New Guineans! On the 16th of September 2015 we celebrated our country’s 40 years of Independence, as we gained our independence from the Colonial Rule on the 16th of September 1975.
All Papua New Guineans, regardless of age, gender or education had thoughts about the Independence of our nation as we approached the 40 year anniversary.
For a regular, common citizen, he hoped to see some tangible developments that result in the betterment of the common people. For the government, it commended itself on how well it governs the country.
However, in the Christian circles, some brothers and sisters made connections to the 40 years of the ancient Israelites wandering in the wilderness. This subject interests me also, so I would like to make some connections as well.
First and foremost, I believe the question you and I need to ask is: Why did God allow the Israelites to sojourn in the desert for 40 years? The Word of God provides some striking answers to this question. We can draw out some good examples to live by from these answers – we can learn what God demands from His people in the New Testament.
Answer 1 – The Sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure (Genesis 15:16). The Amorites were one of the inhabitants in the Land of Canaan. This verse shows us some remarkable revelations of who God is. God is SOVEREIGN over every nation on this earth. He sets His eyes on every nation. And God takes into account every nation and every individual – that includes PNG – me and you. We also see the GRACE of God here. For a very long time God waited patiently for the Amorites. Yes, God hates sin, so God will definitely bring judgment even on PNG if there is not true repentance.
Answer 2 – When the 10 spies who had gone up with Joshua and Caleb shared a bad report about the land they had explored, the Israelites rebelled against God (Numbers 13:31, 32). So God swore an oath that this disobedient generation would die in the wilderness as they wished, except Joshua and Caleb. Forty years to compensate for each one of the 40 days that the 12 spies explored the land (Numbers 14:27-34). Their disobedience is the result of lack of faith in God, despite seeing God at work. God does not tolerate disobedience. Therefore, people who are disobedient and reject God promises, even today, will not inherit eternal rest.
God is SOVEREIGN over every nation on this earth. He sets His eyes on every nation. And God takes into account every nation and every individual – that includes PNG – me and you.
Some say that PNG has come a long way and is now on the banks of the Jordan River, about to cross over into the Promised Land. But what better land do we have beyond the land of Papua New Guinea? No land! No matter where you go in this world, you will never find true peace and rest. This implies that the true peace and rest can only be obtained somewhere else, away from this world.
The Israelites gradually entered the Promised Land, however true PEACE & REST were not fully obtained there. Yes, they took rest from working as slaves in Egypt, but battles were fought because the Canaanites were still in the land. Of course, the land was flowing with milk and honey, but unfortunately Israel’s prosperity brought about apostasy (unbelief). An example is King Solomon – his wealth drove his heart away from God (1 Kings 11:1-11). Thus, our Lord Jesus commands us to store up our treasures in heaven.
Israel’s little rest is a small foretaste of the coming eternal rest. Nevertheless, only through Jesus Christ, can we enter the New Earth. Jesus is our Perfect Deliverer and Mediator and He walked in perfect obedience before God. On the New Earth we will not have to toil for milk and honey for there will be no more hunger and thirst (Revelation 7:16).
Hence, my beloved Papua New Guineans, look to the cross of Jesus Christ. There you will have access to the Promised Land from above.