Moses sent 12 men to scout the promise land so they could plan their next step. When they returned they gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit (they brought grapes the size of cantaloupes). But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.” Then Caleb said, “We should go up and TAKE POSSESSION of the land, for WE CAN CERTAINLY DO IT.” (Numbers 13:27-30) Joshua and Caleb saw the enemy as being NO PROBLEM FOR GOD!
The other 10 spies gave a negative account, “We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers IN OUR OWN EYES, and we looked THE SAME to them.” (Numbers 13:33) The other 10 saw themselves as being NO PROBLEM FOR THE GIANTS!
The whole congregation said to each other, “We should choose a leader and GO BACK TO EGYPT.” Then Moses and Aaron FELL FACE DOWN in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. JOSHUA and CALEB, who were among those who had explored the land, TORE THEIR CLOTHES and said, “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 14:4-9) So, how did the Israelite assembly respond to this ENCOURAGING pep talk?
“…the whole assembly talked about STONING THEM. Then the GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with CONTEMPT? How long will they REFUSE TO BELIEVE in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?” (Numbers 14:10-11)
Remember what Jesus taught His disciples? “…WHATEVER THINGS YOU ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVING, YOU WILL RECEIVE.” (Matthew 21:22)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham