SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 14
BIBLE VERSES:
“ All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” ( Numbers 14:”2-3)
“Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”(Numbers 14:6-9)
“The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” (Numbers 14:18-19)
THE PEOPLE REBEL (vs. 1-45)
The people grumbled against Moses and Aaron and blamed them for bringing them out. They would prefer to go back to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb assured the people that the Lord will lead them into the land with milk and honey. They told the people not to be afraid because the Lord is with them. but the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Thus the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting and told Moses that since the people refused to believe in Him, He will strike them down with plague and destroy them. But he promised Moses that He will make their nation great and stronger than the enemies. Moses begged for pardon so that the Egyptians will not say that the Lord was not able to bring these people into the land He promised them and slaughtered them in the desert Iv. 16).
The Lord promised to forgive them but those who had seen his glory and miraculous signs and still disobeyed and tested Him ten times, not one of them will ever see the Promised Land. They will die in the desert and their children will be shepherds there for 40 years. However, Caleb and Joshua will enjoy the land and inherit it. All those men responsible for spreading the bank report about the land died of a plague before the Lord. Then the Amalekites and Canaanites came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.
THOUGHTS:
Caleb and Joshua were a minority on the Search Committee and yet they did not give in even when the nation turned against them and their lives were in danger. They had a firm faith to stand on their ground. It is important that we should please God instead of men. God will never forsake those who trust in Him.
Rebellion and unbelief prompted the people to express a decision to replace Moses and return to Egypt. However, Moses still interceded for the people and pleaded on their behalf. He reminded God of His promises, mercy and forgiveness. He had the heart of a true shepherd – loving his people and praying for them.
The people thought that because they had confessed their sins, God would change His mind and give them victory. They were trying to accomplish God’s work apart from God’s will and blessings by advancing to the top of the hill but the enemy defeated them. Many Christians today realize their failings and try to make up for them in fleshly activities that only leads to discouragement and defeat.
Despite of the many miracles the Israelites had experienced during their exodus, fear had prevented them to enter the promised land. This is also true with us. We must trust God to handle the big problems, tough decisions and frightening situation. Continue to trust God in reaching your goal.
God promised Caleb that his descendants will receive the inheritance in the Promised Land because he followed God with all his heart and was rewarded for his obedience. Are you wholeheartedly committed to obey God?
God said that the Israelites had “again and again” failed to trust and obey him. Here are the instances:
- Lacking faith in crossing the Red Sea. (Exo. 14:11-12)
- Complaining over bitter water at Marah. (Exo. 15:24)
- Complaining in the Desert of Sin about no meat to eat (Exo. 16:3)
- Collecting more than the daily quota of manna (Exo.16:20)
- Collecting manna on the Sabbath day. (Exo., 16:27-29)
- Complaining over lack of water at Rephidim (Exo. 17:2-3)
- Engaging in idolatry with goddess calf (Exo. 32:7-10)
- Complaining about their hardship at Taberah (Numbers 11:1-2)
- Complaining of lack of delicious food. (Numbers 11:4)
- Failing to trust God to enter the Promised Land. (Numbers 14:1-4)