The Lord said to Moses "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites."-Numbers 13:1
This command from God to Moses comes during the time in which the Israelites and Levites are literally following God through the movement of a cloud that hovers over the ark and tabernacle that was carefully constructed based on God's instructions to Moses. We get an idea of this movement through Numbers 9:15-23. "On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and it His command they encamped."
What is so cool about this, is that God is showing himself and directing His people through their struggles and journey. Moses, in the tent of meeting is in direct communication and connection with God. We see this in Numbers chapter 12 as God speaks to Aaron and Moses's sister Miriam. God says "With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord."
After reading and studying this, I was curious as to why God would instruct Moses to send out spies to Canaan. Why would God want them to send out spies when He has promised to protect them and defeat their enemies? The spies came back saying that the Canaanites were huge people and that the cities are fortified and very large. They also did declare though that the land did flow with milk and honey. The Israelites started to grumble and once again ask God why He brought them out of Egypt! I don't have an exact count, but I'd say that this is probably near the 100th time the Israelites have doubted God, even through all of the blessings and miracles that God has shown them! Of the 12 spies that were sent, only 2 (Joshua and Caleb) begged the Israelites to trust in God and to not be afraid because God has promised them that He will lead them into the land of milk and honey. The Israelites however responded by wanting to stone them. God became angry and this is when He decided that because of their unfaithfulness they will wonder in the wilderness for 40 years.
As I read this I continually just want to grab the Israelites and shake them and say "Come on! Don't you remember all of the things God has done for you? Don't you remember when the cards were fully stacked against you that God saved you and your people?" I then apply this to me and my life. What is it that I'm trying to get a hold of in my future? What do I know is before me, yet I doubt and try and take the control myself? God had Moses send out spies because He wanted their account to be another opportunity for the Israelites to fully trust in Him. He wanted it to bring another great record of glory to His name. Just because the task is difficult, or even unimaginable, doesn't gibe you reason to doubt because with God you can do all things. Instead of doubting, it should show you even greater the power of our God.
This week I want you to be courageous in your pursuit of God and that you be like Caleb and Joshua. The world will say it can't happen. The world will pressure you into conforming to their methods and their thoughts. Do not conform, but rather be transformed internally with the power of Jesus. Because of Him we can do all things and with him our God is satisfied and welcoming to us. I don't want you to just live your life wandering in the desert until you die naturally like the unfaithful Israelites did. I want you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and enjoy all of His wonders. I want you to never fear death, pain, hurt, your past, or your future because God is with us through Jesus. No matter what your spies say, no matter the report of how difficult it might be, with God you will win: Every Time!
Have a great week!
Song of the Week: No Longer A Slave
This command from God to Moses comes during the time in which the Israelites and Levites are literally following God through the movement of a cloud that hovers over the ark and tabernacle that was carefully constructed based on God's instructions to Moses. We get an idea of this movement through Numbers 9:15-23. "On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and it His command they encamped."
What is so cool about this, is that God is showing himself and directing His people through their struggles and journey. Moses, in the tent of meeting is in direct communication and connection with God. We see this in Numbers chapter 12 as God speaks to Aaron and Moses's sister Miriam. God says "With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord."
After reading and studying this, I was curious as to why God would instruct Moses to send out spies to Canaan. Why would God want them to send out spies when He has promised to protect them and defeat their enemies? The spies came back saying that the Canaanites were huge people and that the cities are fortified and very large. They also did declare though that the land did flow with milk and honey. The Israelites started to grumble and once again ask God why He brought them out of Egypt! I don't have an exact count, but I'd say that this is probably near the 100th time the Israelites have doubted God, even through all of the blessings and miracles that God has shown them! Of the 12 spies that were sent, only 2 (Joshua and Caleb) begged the Israelites to trust in God and to not be afraid because God has promised them that He will lead them into the land of milk and honey. The Israelites however responded by wanting to stone them. God became angry and this is when He decided that because of their unfaithfulness they will wonder in the wilderness for 40 years.
As I read this I continually just want to grab the Israelites and shake them and say "Come on! Don't you remember all of the things God has done for you? Don't you remember when the cards were fully stacked against you that God saved you and your people?" I then apply this to me and my life. What is it that I'm trying to get a hold of in my future? What do I know is before me, yet I doubt and try and take the control myself? God had Moses send out spies because He wanted their account to be another opportunity for the Israelites to fully trust in Him. He wanted it to bring another great record of glory to His name. Just because the task is difficult, or even unimaginable, doesn't gibe you reason to doubt because with God you can do all things. Instead of doubting, it should show you even greater the power of our God.
This week I want you to be courageous in your pursuit of God and that you be like Caleb and Joshua. The world will say it can't happen. The world will pressure you into conforming to their methods and their thoughts. Do not conform, but rather be transformed internally with the power of Jesus. Because of Him we can do all things and with him our God is satisfied and welcoming to us. I don't want you to just live your life wandering in the desert until you die naturally like the unfaithful Israelites did. I want you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and enjoy all of His wonders. I want you to never fear death, pain, hurt, your past, or your future because God is with us through Jesus. No matter what your spies say, no matter the report of how difficult it might be, with God you will win: Every Time!
Have a great week!
Song of the Week: No Longer A Slave
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