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Quick outline on Numbers 13-14, and insights for our own lives:
The Lord sends 12 men to spy out the land of Canaan. They are to observe the land and the people. God has said He’s giving them the land, yet 10 spies return and say it can’t be done.
The Lord sends 12 men to spy out the land of Canaan. They are to observe the land and the people. God has said He’s giving them the land, yet 10 spies return and say it can’t be done.
Two of the spies (Caleb & Joshua) try to counter their discouraging words by telling the people it can be done. But the 10 discourage the listening nation again.
The response of the people? Weeping through the night, wishing they had never left Egypt. They despised the Lord.
The response of the people? Weeping through the night, wishing they had never left Egypt. They despised the Lord.
Moses, Aaron, Caleb, & Joshua beg them to quit sinning. They remind them of the Lord’s might over all things.
The Lord is angered at their lack of faith. Those 20 years old and more, will not enter the land because of their faithlessness. The 10 spies? Struck down.
The Lord is angered at their lack of faith. Those 20 years old and more, will not enter the land because of their faithlessness. The 10 spies? Struck down.
After this verdict from God falls, the people feel grief and want to go into the land to take it. Moses tells them no. God has forbid it. But once again, they don’t listen. They go, attack, and get routed.
Insights:
1. It’s easy to look with the eyes of our circumstances and doubt God’s promises. Faith requires seeing beyond what’s in front of you.
2. Words are powerful. 10 faithless spies turned the whole nation against God’s Word. Beware of this even in our own day.
1. It’s easy to look with the eyes of our circumstances and doubt God’s promises. Faith requires seeing beyond what’s in front of you.
2. Words are powerful. 10 faithless spies turned the whole nation against God’s Word. Beware of this even in our own day.
3. Caleb & Joshua didn’t let the giants deter them, because they had a big view of God: His rule, His might, and His involvement.
4. The Israelites preferred the predictable comforts of Egypt over the daily trusting of walking with God. Many of us prefer comfort over trust too.
4. The Israelites preferred the predictable comforts of Egypt over the daily trusting of walking with God. Many of us prefer comfort over trust too.
5. The 10 spies and Israelites weren’t just scared, they were sinful. Their unbelief was sin.
6. God’s patience gave way to judgment. We should not presume upon the kindness of the Lord.
6. God’s patience gave way to judgment. We should not presume upon the kindness of the Lord.
7. Many Israelites went into the land after their judgment, and died. Why?
- They still weren’t following God’s words.
- Their hearts still wanted to act on their own timing.
- They attempted to self-atone for their sins...but got the result all self-atonement brings: death
- They still weren’t following God’s words.
- Their hearts still wanted to act on their own timing.
- They attempted to self-atone for their sins...but got the result all self-atonement brings: death
Moral of the story: Trust God’s Word and act on it, despite the circumstances in front of you, and remember His character instead of being overcome by fear.
