“Day 14 (Numbers 14)”

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Rebelling Against Moses
 
Following the report of the ten spies in Numbers 10, unbelief and discouragement spread rapidly from heart to heart, and before long, “all the congregation lifted up their voice and cried; and the people wept that night” ( No. 14:1,2,0.) The next day the whole congregation criticized Moses and Aaron lamenting the fact that the nation hadn’t perished in Egypt or in the wilderness. Their eyes were on themselves and their circumstances, they lost perspective and said ridiculous things.
 
The Jews had a long history of complaining against God and His leaders. Their murmuring began on the night of the Exodus when they were sure Pharaoh’s army was going to kill them (Ex.  14:10-14). As Israel entered the wilderness of Shur, they complained because they did not have enough to drink (Ex. 15:22:2-27).  They, they murmured because they missed the delicious meals that were provided in Egypt (Ex. 16). “Would that we had died in Egypt” was their favorite lament.
 
The nation is weeping over their plight that had been caused by their own unbelief.  They blamed God and cried for a new leader to return them to Egypt (No. 14:3-4). Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb tried to get them to change their minds. Moses and Aaron even interceded for them. Joshua and Caleb spoke to the people and assured them God had promised them the land.
 
The ten unbelieving spies argued that the land of Canaan “would eat them up” (No. 13:32). Joshua and Caleb saw it differently. The saw the Canaanites as easily conquered (No. 14:9).  The Jews did not appreciate what Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb were trying to tell them. They decided to try to stone them all
 
When we walk by sight, we often lack the sense to know who our real friends are and we turn against those who can help us the most.
 
As a result of their unbelief all age twenty and over would not enter the Promised Land. Moses would lead the world’s longest funeral procession. Joshua and Caleb would enter the land.
 

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