An object lesson for young men
Numbers 32:23 was given in the context of Moses giving promises and warnings to Israel, as they were about to enter the promised land after his death. In this specific case, the sons of Reuben and Gad requested permission to settle in Gilead rather than west of the Jordan River, which was the land specifically promised. Moses said that the Lord would allow this, on the condition that they go to war along with the rest of the sons of Israel against those living in the promised land that He had designated for destruction. The warning was “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out”. [Interlinear Hebrew gives this as “and-know-you sin-of-you which she-shall-find you”]
This is a much more general principle of how God works. We have a modern day example on an individual level, with the events and behavior of Robert Morris, the founding pastor of Gateway Church near Fort Worth, Texas. He has admitted that 45 years ago he had a long-term sexual relationship with Cindy Clemishire, who was at the time ages ranging 12 to 17. This was initiated when he was 21, married, with a child. The details of this, as well as the current legal filings are in the news media. Over the intervening years there have been various admissions of guilt, debate about what really happened, and legal and church leadership initiatives to resolve the open issues. The summary is that he committed adultery with a child who is deemed, both by law and by general social consensus, too young to give consent. Since he was the adult, and also male, it was his responsibility to say “no”, and he didn’t.
The warning Moses gave should be instilled into every adolescent and young person. Although God forgives sin, in human institutions and cultures some sins carry a lifetime onus. Robert Morris is 64 and retired. But it is possible he will spend many years of retirement behind bars. At the very least - despite his leadership and organizational skills, his preaching of the gospel, his achievement in building a widely known megachurch - his reputation is sullied and his future bleak.
Boys and young men should be instilled with this warning. Youth is only a partial excuse, because both the conscience and scripture (in numerous places) warn us against sexual immorality. Teenagers commingling sexually cannot escape ultimate consequences. Adults exploiting teenagers face worse. Once again, Jesus offers forgiveness to those who repent, but not to those who sin repeatedly with the intention of later asking for forgiveness, without true repentance. Throughout human history sexual immorality has been one of the key attributes of decaying and degenerate societies. It is widespread because every young male has these desires and must deal with them. Other defining sins such lust of the eyes (greed) and the boastful pride of life (lust for power and recognition) are more typically temptations for adults. But in all these cases, Moses warned, “be sure your sin will find you out.”
We need to teach male teenagers in particular, to “just say no” to sexual temptations that are wrong, and that when they become young men, they must make a firm decision to not have sexual relationships with underage girls, even if seemingly consensual. And us old men also need to remember this.
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