February 5 – 11, 2017
At this point, it has been one year since the Israelites left Egypt. Although they’ve been through quite a bit, they have not yet arrived in the Promised Land, the land promised to their forefathers. Indeed, there is still much to do: laws to be learned, a tabernacle to be constructed, a census to be taken.
However, once all of those events have transpired, it is finally time to leave Mt. Sinai and begin the final leg of the journey towards Canaan. And, once again, there is opportunity for the people to complain; it seems the miraculous provision of food isn’t good enough, the Israelites desire a particular type of food:
“The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, ‘If only we had meat to eat!'”
Number 11:4 NIV
The interesting side of this demonstration of human weakness is that God creates a council of 70 elders to help Moses deal with the people. In Numbers 11:24-25, the Bible records that “the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him [Moses], and He took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders.” To which Moses observes, “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”
Eventually, He will.
The critical story in this week’s reading is the recounting of the twelve men sent to spy out the land promised to the Israelites. For forty days, twelve men – one from each tribe of Israel – travel throughout the land to see “what the land is like, and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many.” (Numbers 13:17 NIV)
Upon returning, the spies report that the land is abundant, yet occupied by a people that strike fear into many of the spies. But not all of them. Two of of the spies – Caleb of Judah and Joshua of Ephraim – have complete faith in God’s ability to deliver the land as He promised:
“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 mile and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do no 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.
But the whole assembly talked about stoning them.”
Number 14:7-10 NIV
The Israelites react the way people do. They immediately cling to the negative report. They spread the negative among others while completely dismissing the positive report of Caleb and Joshua. They throw temper tantrums, complain at every turn, and, ultimately look for someone to blame. Shockingly, that person is God.
“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?” (Numbers 14:1-3)
To make matters worse, the Israelites suggest that they should choose a new leader and return to Egypt (Number 14:4). God’s anger is swift and His judgment is final. He strikes down the ten spies who provide the bad report, and he banishes the entire nation of Israel to the desert for 40 years – long enough for everyone who was witness to God’s miraculous signs in Egypt to pass away.
The lesson is clear. Faith in God requires that we overcome our fears; that we act on God’s word, regardless of what life throws at us. That is the story of Joshua and Caleb – two men who listened to God and acted in faith, believing His word, despite the fear created by their senses.
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV)