Day 75 – The 12 Spies & 40 Days of Wandering

• This the second half of the story we began on Saturday of the spies, their report of the Promised Land and the responses of the people regarding what they found. This is a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelite people, and shows us many interesting things. What are your initial thoughts after reading it?
• Yesterday we heard about the reaction of the spies to what they saw in the land. Ten of them were scared to continue, but two of them (Joshua and Caleb) trusted that God would keep them safe. Today we read about the reaction of the rest of the people. What did they think about the report the spies brought back? What, in Numbers 14:4, did they want to do initially?
• How does Joshua respond to the crowd, and what, in Numbers 14:10, was their violent reaction?
• We’ve seen several instances in our reading plan where Moses interceded for the rebellious people. He does it again in today’s readings. What does he say to God?
• God, after listening to Moses, pardons the people but nevertheless promises judgement and punishment. What was that punishment? You can see it in Numbers 14:28-35. What, in contrast, was Caleb’s reward?
• God demanded that the people stay in the wilderness for 40 years as punishment for their unbelief, but it seemed that some of the Israelites weren’t going to do that without a fight… literally. What did they try to do instead in Numbers 14:39-45? Who, and what, did they leave behind as they went?
• Did their attempts to go against God’s instructions work out well for them?
• What does this story tell us about listening to God first time?
• How does the passage in Hebrews help understand both the story from Numbers as well as an ongoing trust in Jesus?

Oh dear, it looks like things are really falling apart, doesn’t it? The people have refused to trust in God to deliver them safely to the Promised Land. They cry bitterly and want to head back to Egypt. Some try, in vain, to enter the Promised Land instead. And the adults – all of them except Caleb and Joshua – will now die in the wilderness. Only their children will come to enter into this new country that God has provided. Whilst God provides for His people, and rescues them time and time again, God doesn’t allow sin to be unpunished, and His judgement is required… and fair.

An encouragement as you read these words today. Around us will be people who encourage us to keep going, like Joshua or Caleb, and there will be still more who detract us from the gospel or God’s Word, like the other spies. Hebrews 3 encourages us to keep strong in our trust in the Lord. Look at verses 12-14 again. If you love and trust the Lord now, don’t ever let that go. Don’t let evil into your heart, don’t be hardened by the influence of sin, and hold onto the confidence you have now until the very end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz2LTIkWIB0