Curses with a Hidden Door: Repentance Always Possible

S: Numbers 20-22

O: When reading Numbers 20–22, I noticed how many nations opposed Israel as they entered the Promised Land, even though they had promised to only pass through and pay for any food or drink they might consume along the way. Later, God pronounces a judgment on the surviving nations that did this: “No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, even down to the tenth generation” (Deuteronomy 23:3–6). Yet people like Ruth the Moabite were accepted into the assembly of the Lord despite this curse.

Every time God pronounces a curse, there is also the implied “unless they repent.” It’s not stated explicitly, but it’s understood. Ruth the Moabite, Rahab the Canaanite, Uriah the Hittite, and Araunah the Jebusite were all accepted into the assembly of the Lord. The story of Jonah also illustrates this concept: God never told Jonah to say explicitly, “unless you repent,” yet both Jonah and the Ninevites clearly understood that was an option — and they did, and God saved them from impending doom.

I also think of the New Testament condemnation of the Pharisees, who were accused of the “unforgivable sin” of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22–28). Yet many of them came to Jesus, and some later became the Judaizers or “men of the circumcision” that Paul had to contend with, insisting that Gentiles must become Jewish proselytes to receive salvation in Jesus (Acts 15; Galatians 2; Galatians 5; Philippians 3).

A: When God pronounces a curse, there’s always the implied “unless they repent.” So repent and come to Jesus! Do not stay condemned!

If you feel condemnation, know that it’s not what God wants. As God says in Ezekiel 33:11: “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!”

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Feeling conviction is from the Lord and should drive you to repentance. Feeling condemned is from the devil, to keep you from coming to Jesus in repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

P: Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you that you always want us to repent and come back to you, and that you want to save us. When we feel condemned, may we turn to you in repentance and not wallow in it. In Jesus’ name, amen.