February 26, 2009
12 men went to spy on Canaan
This weekend we are following the Israelites as they take their first steps towards entering the Promised Land. The story this weekend can be found in both Numbers chapter 13 and Deuteronomy 1:19-46. If you aren’t familiar with the story of the 12 spies I would recommend a quick reading of a pretty entertaining situation.
God had made a promise with his people, a covenant, that they would enter the land of their father Abraham. After years of captivity and months of waiting the Israelites finally made it to the border of Canaan. Twelve men were chosen from each of the twelve tribes to spy out the land.
Upon entering the land the spies discovered that the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey. Scripture even goes so far as to say that it took two of the spies to carry one cluster of grapes! It also records that the Canaanites, the people living in the land, were giant warriors who had defeated multiple nations and armies.
After 40 days in Canaan, the men returned to Moses. Ten of the men warned the whole of Israel that entering the land and overcoming the people simply wasn’t a possibility. They saw the warriors’ strength and their own weaknesses. But two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, told the people that with God’s help, they could do anything. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones to recall God’s faithfulness in holding up his end of the covenant.
Even in the midst of God's miracles, the Israelites still found time and energy to fear. They were afraid that they would be left alone against the wilderness, against the Canaanites, against their own hunger and thirst. Would God have really brought them this far only to let them be defeated at the edge of his promise to them?
May we follow the example of Joshua and Caleb this week. Don’t let fear do any of the deciding for you. Follow God and trust his promises.
“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19
God had made a promise with his people, a covenant, that they would enter the land of their father Abraham. After years of captivity and months of waiting the Israelites finally made it to the border of Canaan. Twelve men were chosen from each of the twelve tribes to spy out the land.
Upon entering the land the spies discovered that the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey. Scripture even goes so far as to say that it took two of the spies to carry one cluster of grapes! It also records that the Canaanites, the people living in the land, were giant warriors who had defeated multiple nations and armies.
After 40 days in Canaan, the men returned to Moses. Ten of the men warned the whole of Israel that entering the land and overcoming the people simply wasn’t a possibility. They saw the warriors’ strength and their own weaknesses. But two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, told the people that with God’s help, they could do anything. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones to recall God’s faithfulness in holding up his end of the covenant.
Even in the midst of God's miracles, the Israelites still found time and energy to fear. They were afraid that they would be left alone against the wilderness, against the Canaanites, against their own hunger and thirst. Would God have really brought them this far only to let them be defeated at the edge of his promise to them?
May we follow the example of Joshua and Caleb this week. Don’t let fear do any of the deciding for you. Follow God and trust his promises.
“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19
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