Thoughts on Numbers 14
….Now the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation complain against him by bringing a bad report of the land, those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the Lord. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land….
(Numbers 14:36-38)
In today’s chapter we saw the response of the people of Israel to the narrative of 10 of the leaders of the tribes that were sent to spy out the promise land.
Incidentally, our topic of discussion at Bible study yesterday focused on “Coping with Life’s pressures 2”, with a special emphasis on Peer Pressure. In part 1 of the study, we had discussed the various ways we get pressured-
– through people
– circumstances
– Satan and his cohorts
Following this, we then discussed the negative things we usually do when under pressure, the consequences of pressure if we succumb to them, and what God expects us to do when faced with pressure.
The events in chapter 13 and 14 of Numbers provide a good case study for the above as seen
from the pressure on hearing the “majority” report of the 10 spies, to the negative response of the people by succumbing to the pressure, and finally the punishment for their failure to act according to God’s expectation.
The direct implications of this story to our lives cannot therefore be down played. I urge us to pick our Bible study outlines and go through the series on “Coping with Life Pressure” for more insights.
More than ever before, we live in a world where we easily forget the many blessings that God has bestowed on us through Christ and choose to bear needless pains by dwelling or focusing on that one thing yet to be done by God we think, that will make our joy to be full.
As we muse on the lessons from today’s reading, let us carefully consider what scripture says in Habbakuk 3:17-18
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
May His mercy satisfy us in Jesus name. Amen 🙏