Accountability (Part Three), And Divine Justice: The Truth Will Out

When we start looking at these verses—Numbers 32:23, Hebrews 10:31, Matthew 10:26, and Psalm 1:1-2—there’s a thread that runs through them. It’s the idea that truth can’t be hidden forever. Sin, whether intentional or not, has a way of catching up with us, and God sees everything, even the things we think are hidden away. But what does this really mean, not just for the people back then, but for us today?

Let’s begin with Numbers 32:23. This moment in Israel’s history is a significant one. The Israelites had spent forty years wandering in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. That’s a whole generation who had not seen the Promised Land. They were about to cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan, but two tribes—Reuben and Gad—approached Moses with a request. They liked the land east of the Jordan River, land that was good for cattle, and they wanted to settle there rather than cross into Canaan with the rest of the people.

At first glance, this request seems practical. It makes sense to want to settle in a place that’s good for your livestock. But for Moses, this wasn’t just about land—it was about the larger mission God had called the Israelites to. This wasn’t about settling into comfort and self-interest. The conquest of the Promised Land wasn’t supposed to be about any one tribe’s comfort; it was about the whole nation coming together, working as one, to claim the land God had promised them.

Moses was concerned that if these two tribes didn’t join in the conquest of Canaan, the other Israelites would be discouraged. They’d think, “Why should we go to all this trouble if these tribes are getting off easy?” Moses understood the power of the collective mission and how one group pulling away could undermine the whole thing. He feared that these tribes were looking for an easy out, avoiding the fight, and in doing so, potentially sowing division and disobedience among the people.

So, Moses gave them a warning: "Be sure your sin will find you out." This isn’t just a vague warning—there’s weight behind it. The Hebrew word for “sin” here is chatta'ah (חַטָּאָה), which means to miss the mark. It comes from a root word that refers to making an error or falling short of what’s expected. It’s like when you shoot an arrow and it doesn’t hit the bullseye. The sin here isn’t necessarily willful rebellion, though it could be. It’s a broader concept that includes mistakes, missteps, and missing the point entirely.

Moses is telling them that their error—whether it’s intentional or not—will eventually be exposed. Chatta'ah doesn’t just refer to moral failings; it can also be about missing the mark in our relationships, our responsibilities, and our mission. There’s a sense of inevitability to it: if you’re off course, sooner or later, it’ll catch up with you. The phrase "your sin will find you out" in Hebrew, ki-tzotam timtza'ena (כִּי-צוֹתָם תִּמְצָאֶנָּה), literally means, “your sin will find you.” It suggests there’s no escaping it. The truth, whatever it is, will come to light.

This passage is as much about individual accountability as it is about the collective health of a people. Moses is reminding them that the covenant with God wasn’t just about getting land. It was about being in right relationship with God, and that requires obedience. It’s a call to integrity, to realize that no matter how we try to cover up our actions, God sees it all. Nothing is hidden from Him, and there are always consequences for the choices we make, whether they’re public or private.

Now, jumping ahead to Hebrews 10:31, we see a much different context, but the same principle is at work. Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” This statement comes at a time when Jewish Christians were facing intense persecution. The writer of Hebrews is urging them to stand firm in their faith despite the hardships they’re facing. Some of them were considering turning back to their old ways in Judaism because it was safer and easier than sticking with Christ, especially with the pressure and persecution mounting.

The writer is reminding them that if they abandon Christ, they’re not just rejecting a religion; they’re rejecting the living God—the very God who is actively involved in their lives, who has revealed Himself in powerful ways throughout history. The phrase "living God" contrasts sharply with the false gods of the surrounding nations, who were lifeless, statues or idols that could do nothing. The God of Israel is alive, involved, and active. His justice is real, and rejecting His salvation is a serious thing.

The word used here for “fearful” in Greek is phoberon (φοβερόν), which carries the idea of a deep, reverential fear. It’s not the kind of fear you feel when something scares you in the moment—it’s the kind of fear you feel when you stand before something overwhelmingly powerful and holy. The writer is telling them that to fall into the hands of the living God is no small matter. It’s not just about fear in the sense of being afraid; it’s about understanding the weight of God’s holiness and justice. His judgment isn’t arbitrary—it’s just, and it’s unavoidable.

For the original audience, this would have hit hard. The temptation to shrink back and return to their old ways was strong, but the writer of Hebrews is saying, "If you abandon Christ, you’re rejecting the very God who created the universe, the One who has saved you." This wasn’t just about religious preference. It was about standing firm in God’s truth, knowing the consequences of rejecting His salvation. It’s a stark reminder that God’s justice is not something to take lightly.

Now, let’s turn to Matthew 10:26, where Jesus tells His disciples, “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” Jesus is speaking to His disciples as He sends them out to preach the gospel. They were about to face tremendous opposition, from both religious leaders and the Roman authorities. Jesus knows they’ll be rejected, persecuted, and even hunted down, and He’s encouraging them not to fear those who oppose them.

The word for “covered” in Greek here is kryptos (κρυπτός), which means hidden or concealed. Jesus is reassuring them that no matter how much the truth is suppressed or hidden, it will eventually be revealed. Nothing will stay in the dark forever. The people who oppose them, who try to silence the truth, can’t keep it hidden. This is a powerful reminder for the disciples, who were about to face real hostility. Jesus is telling them to boldly proclaim the truth, knowing that God’s truth will ultimately come to light, no matter how hard the world tries to bury it.

For the disciples, this would have been a message of great encouragement. At that time, the Jewish leadership was doing everything they could to suppress the message of Jesus. The Roman authorities were not far behind, and the disciples were about to enter a hostile environment. But Jesus is telling them that no matter how much the world tries to silence them, God’s truth would always be revealed. It might not happen immediately, but in the end, the truth would out.

Finally, let’s look at Psalm 1:1-2, where the psalmist describes the blessed man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. Instead, the blessed person delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. This psalm is not just a nice introduction to the book of Psalms; it’s a profound statement about how a person should live if they want to experience true blessing. The word for “blessed” here is ashrei (אַשְׁרֵי), which refers to a deep, spiritual happiness or well-being. It’s not just about feeling good or being content with life; it’s about living in alignment with God’s will, finding true joy and peace in doing so.

The psalmist contrasts the righteous person with the wicked, showing how sin is a slow slide. First, you walk in the counsel of the wicked—you begin listening to their advice. Then you stand in the way of sinners—you start walking in their lifestyle. Finally, you sit in the seat of the scornful—you’ve fully immersed yourself in rebellion against God. This slow progression of sin is a powerful image, showing how it’s not always about big, dramatic steps. Sometimes, it’s the small compromises that lead us down a destructive path.

But the righteous person doesn’t do that. Instead, they meditate on God’s Word. The Hebrew word for “meditate” here is hagah (הָגָה), which means to quietly think, to focus deeply on something, or even to mutter to yourself. It’s not just about reading or memorizing Scripture; it’s about letting God’s Word shape you, letting it influence how you think, how you act, and who you are. It’s about allowing God’s truth to become so deeply embedded in your heart that it affects everything you do.

When you look at all of this together—Numbers 32:23, Hebrews 10:31, Matthew 10:26, and Psalm 1:1-2—you see a powerful theme emerging: the truth will come out. Nothing is hidden forever. Sin will be exposed, and God’s truth will eventually prevail. The life that’s grounded in God’s Word leads to blessing, while the path of sin leads to destruction. But it’s not just about what’s visible on the outside. It’s about the heart, the thoughts, and our relationship with God. God sees everything, even the things we think are hidden, and in the end, truth will always win out.

It’s a call to live intentionally, to reflect deeply on God’s Word, and to walk in the light of His truth, knowing that nothing escapes His sight.