Sermon Audio: LINK

Series Introduction:

The journey of the Israelites through the wilderness has been a story of faith, trials, and God’s unwavering guidance. From their miraculous exodus from Egypt to the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, the Israelites experienced God’s power and provision in miraculous ways. He parted the Red Sea, provided manna from heaven, and led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Despite these mighty acts, the journey was also marked by moments of doubt and rebellion. The Israelites frequently complained about their hardships, doubted God’s provision, and even longed to return to their life of bondage in Egypt. As we will see this morning, as the Israelites approached the borders of the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey as God had promised, their faith would be tested once more. 

Scripture Reading:

Numbers 13:26-14:10, 26-45 (ESV) – And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.”

But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”

Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel…

And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.’ I, the Lord, have spoken. Surely this will I do to all this wicked congregation who are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall come to a full end, and there they shall die.”

And the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing up a bad report about the land, the men who brought up a bad report of the land, died by plague before the Lord. Of those men who went to spy out the land, only Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive.

When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly. And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the Lord has promised, for we have sinned.” But Moses said, “Why now are you transgressing the command of the Lord, when that will not succeed? Do not go up, for the Lord is not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies. For there the Amalekites and the Canaanites are facing you, and you shall fall by the sword. Because you have turned back from following the Lord, the Lord will not be with you.” But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the Lord nor Moses departed out of the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah.

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with gratitude for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. As we reflect on the journey of the Israelites, remind us that Your promises are steadfast and true. Help us to shift our focus from our problems to Your greatness, just as Joshua and Caleb did. Open our hearts and minds to receive Your truths, strengthen our faith to step boldly into Your promises, and remind us of Your past faithfulness and unchanging presence in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The Tale of Two Reports (Numbers 13:26-33)

Today our scripture recounts the return of the twelve spies from their mission to survey the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, a land that God Himself had promised to His people.

Picture the scene: twelve spies standing before Moses, Aaron, and the entire community. They even brought back samples of the fruit from the land as tangible evidence of its bounty. They confirmed what the people had hoped, the land indeed flowed with milk and honey. It was fertile and more than capable of providing abundantly for the people and their livestock.

However, amidst this good news, ten of the spies were overwhelmed by fear. They spoke of powerful inhabitants, fortified cities, and giants. They distorted the truth and allowed their fear to eclipse their faith. They saw only obstacles and danger, not the promise and power of God.

Yet, in the midst of this fear and negativity, Caleb stood up. He quieted the people and spoke with courage, declaring, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Caleb’s heart was full of faith, confident in the promise and power of God. But the other ten spies continued to sow seeds of doubt and fear. They exaggerated the dangers, describing the inhabitants as giants and themselves as mere grasshoppers in comparison. They painted a picture so grim that it turned the hearts of the people away from God’s promise. These ten spies, gripped by a spirit of cowardice, became stumbling blocks to the entire nation. Their negative focus caused many to stumble and lose heart.

Likewise, when we allow fear to dictate our actions, we not only harm ourselves but also those around us. We must be vigilant, ensuring that our words and actions build up rather than tear down. Fear paralyzes and distorts reality, but God’s Word repeatedly tells us not to fear:

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV).

Make no mistake, fear is the enemy of faith. It causes us to doubt God’s promises and question His power. Let us remember that the same God who promised the Israelites the land of Canaan is the same God who promises us victory. When faced with challenges, let us remember who is on our side and step forward with confidence and faith. 

Each of us faces our own “giants.” The question is, how will we respond? Will we be like the ten spies, focusing on the problems and allowing fear to distort our reality and rob us of God’s promises? Or will we be like Caleb and Joshua, choosing faith over fear and trusting that God will be faithful to us and will be with us?

In the midst of all the unbelief and doubt, Joshua and Caleb stood boldly, countering the negative report of their colleagues by shifting the focus from the greatness of the dangers to the greatness of God. They underscored three profound truths:

First, they reminded the people of the invincible power of God. Joshua and Caleb declared, “Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9, ESV). God’s power is unmatched, and no enemy can stand against Him. When we recognize the invincibility of God’s power, we understand that all earthly powers pale in comparison. No matter how formidable the giants in our lives may seem, they are nothing before the Almighty. This truth empowers us to face our challenges with confidence, knowing that victory is not by our might but by the Lord’s.

Next, they reminded the people that God’s purposes are immutable, meaning they cannot be overruled or undone by any power in all the universe. Joshua and Caleb reminded the people, “If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey” (Numbers 14:8, ESV). God’s purposes are unchanging, and His promises are sure. The Lord had promised the land of Canaan to the Israelites, and His word is steadfast. Similarly, God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, one that is filled with hope and a future. When we align ourselves with His will, trusting in His unchanging nature, we can rest assured that His promises will come to fruition, regardless of the obstacles we face.

Finally, they reminded the people that God’s presence would be with them every step of the way. They declared, “Do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9, ESV). God’s presence dispels all fear, and we can face any challenge knowing He is with us. The assurance of God’s immediate presence transforms our perspective. When we are aware that the Creator of the universe walks with us, fear loses its grip. His presence provides comfort, strength, and guidance, enabling us to navigate through the trials and tribulations of life with unwavering faith.

Faith Over Fear: Learning from Israel’s Unbelief

Unfortunately, the people listened to the fearful ten rather than the faithful two. They grumbled, doubted, and feared. This wasn’t just a momentary lapse of faith, it was the fatal climax of a long-standing pattern of doubt and rebellion against God. 

First, they raised their voices and wept aloud. “All the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night” (Numbers 14:1, ESV).  Imagine the scene: an entire community, thousands upon thousands, engulfed in wailing and despair. This was not a quiet lament, but a loud outpouring of rage and grief. The air was filled with the sounds of crying and shouting, a chorus of hopelessness. The Israelites had reached a breaking point, their collective anxiety and fear spilling over in a powerful, emotional eruption. It was as if the weight of their journey and the hardships they had endured had finally crushed their spirits.

Next, they turned against Moses and Aaron. “And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, ‘Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!’” (Numbers 14:2, ESV).  The people’s anger was misdirected at their leaders, Moses and Aaron, who had faithfully guided them according to God’s commands. They foolishly wished they had perished in Egypt or in the wilderness. This statement was not only a rejection of Moses and Aaron but also an implicit rejection of God’s plan and provision. Their despair had driven them to a point where death seemed preferable to the uncertainty and fear they faced.

As if rebelling against Moses and Aaron was not enough, the people then blasphemed the Lord by accusing God of forsaking them. “Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:3, ESV). In their fear, the Israelites accused God of bringing them to the Promised Land, only to be destroyed. Their fear caused them to question God’s intentions and faithfulness.They could no longer see God’s past faithfulness; the miracles in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna. Instead, they saw only the potential dangers ahead. They painted a bleak picture of their future, envisioning their families falling prey to their enemies. This was a panic-driven reaction, a manifestation of their deepest fears.

And finally, they suggested returning to Egypt. “And they said to one another, ‘Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt’” (Numbers 14:4, ESV). This desire to return to Egypt was a desperate attempt to regain a sense of control. While it seems foolish to us from the outside, it is actually a common response to those who are experiencing a deep feeling of anxiety. The unknown future seemed so terrifying that the certainty of past oppression appeared preferable. They envisioned a return to Egypt, forgetting the brutality of their slavery and instead idealizing the past. 

Just as the Israelites longed to return to the familiar chains of Egypt, many of us today are tempted to revert to our old ways of life, our former sins and comforts, rather than embracing the freedom that Christ offers. Consider Paul’s exhortation in Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (ESV). The Israelites’ desire to return to Egypt, as well as our desire to return to our old sins, highlights a sad truth about human nature: when faced with uncertainty and fear, we often retreat to what is familiar, even if it is not good for us. 

In both cases, the call is clear: do not return to bondage. The Israelites were called to trust in God’s promise of the Promised Land, just as we are called to stand firm in the freedom that Christ has won for us. The journey may be fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but God’s provision and direction are always for our ultimate good.

Moses and Aaron Intercede:

In the face of this rebellion, Moses and Aaron fell face down before the people, a gesture of helplessness and deep intercession. They did what any committed believers would do under such circumstances: they prayed, seeking deliverance through God’s power. Joshua and Caleb likewise tore their clothes in a symbol of mourning, they declared the truthful facts about the land. “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land” (Numbers 14:7, ESV).

They reaffirmed that God’s presence and pleasure were the keys to their success. “If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey” (Numbers 14:8, ESV).

They begged the people not to rebel or fear, reminding them that God would remove their enemies’ protection and lead them to victory .“Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9, ESV). 

Still, despite their pleas, the people plotted to stone these four godly leaders. This was the fatal rejection. They not only rejected Moses and Aaron but also God Himself. This underscores the seriousness of unbelief and rebellion against God.  Sadly, the generation that grumbled in the wilderness saw the fruit of their unbelief: they perished without seeing the Promised Land. Their children inherited what they had rejected through fear and rebellion.

In our own lives, how often do we let fear overshadow faith? How often do we focus on the size of our problems instead of the greatness of our God? When challenges arise, do we grumble and doubt, or do we trust in the Lord’s promises?

False Repentance Won’t Save: 

In Numbers 14:26-39, we witness the declaration of God’s charge and judgment against Israel. The people were guilty of unbelief, grumbling, and complaining against the Lord. God made it clear that He hears the complaints of His people (v. 27), and His judgment was equally clear: they would reap exactly what they had sown (v. 28). This divine justice echoes the truth found in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

The Israelites had expressed a preference for death in the desert rather than facing the enemies of the Promised Land. God’s judgment was to give them exactly what they asked for. Every adult who had grumbled would die in the wilderness (vv. 29-30). Not a single complainer would enter the Promised Land, except for Caleb and Joshua, who had remained faithful.

In contrast, the children of the Israelites, whom the people feared would be enslaved, would enter the Promised Land and enjoy its blessings (vv. 31-33). However, they would first endure forty years of wandering, a period of suffering and discipline due to their parents’ unfaithfulness. This time would serve to strengthen and teach them to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.

The duration of their judgment matched the number of days the spies had explored Canaan, forty years (v. 34). The fate of the older generation was sealed; they would die in the desert, never seeing the land promised to them (v. 35). Likewise, the ten unbelieving spies who misled the people faced a harsh punishment. Their exaggeration and distortion of the facts had caused widespread fear and rebellion. In perfect justice, God struck them with a plague, and they died (vv. 36-38). Only Joshua and Caleb were spared, for they believed in God’s promise.

When Moses conveyed God’s judgment, the people were gripped with sorrow and bitter mourning (v. 39). However, this sorrow was not true repentance. It was a worldly sorrow over their missed opportunity rather than a godly sorrow for their sin against God. This partial confession led to further disobedience, as they attempted to take the Promised Land in their own strength, against God’s explicit command (vv. 40-45). Predictably, they faced defeat at the hands of the Amalekites and Canaanites.

This reminds us that true confession and repentance involve turning away from sin and turning towards God. It is not enough to be sorry for the consequences of our sin; we must grieve for how our sin grieves the heart of God. True repentance listens to God’s Word and follows His commands. True repentance brings about a change in behavior. It means forsaking our sinful ways and embracing the new life God offers through Jesus Christ. It means listening to God’s Word and obeying it.

Conclusion: 

Today we face a similar choice to the choice the nation of Israel faced so long ago. We stand on the brink of the promises of God, the brink of an abundant life that He offers to each of us through Jesus Christ. The question before us is the same: will we trust in God’s promises, or will we turn back in fear?

Jesus Christ, our Mediator, stands as the ultimate assurance of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. He calls us to embrace the abundant life that He offers, a life filled with purpose, peace, and joy. He invites us to step forward in faith, to leave behind the fears and doubts that hold us back, and to enter into the fullness of His blessings.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He endured the cross, despising its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. In Him, we find the strength to endure our trials with faith, knowing that He walks with us every step of the way. When we face challenges and obstacles, let us remember that He has already overcome the world, and in Him, we too are more than conquerors. As we move forward, let us trust in God’s provision. Just as He provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, He will provide for us. He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

Closing Prayer: 

Gracious Lord, we thank You for the lessons learned today from Joshua, Caleb, and Moses. Empower us to remember Your past faithfulness, step out in faith towards Your promises, and face our giants with courage, knowing You are with us. Strengthen our trust in Your unchanging purposes and presence, and guide us into the fullness of Your blessings. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, fill us with confidence and joy. In His holy name, we pray. Amen.