Lessons from Numbers- the danger of rebellion (part 3)

Numbers 13 introduces a crisis which is the very heart of the book. The main theme of the book is God's promise (in covenant) of giving the people a land of their own, as well as descendants and blessing to other nations through them. Chapter 13 recounts how they sent spies into Canaan, who discovered that the land was good, but they were terrified by the 'giants' who occupied it. Joshua and Caleb were the only two who had faith to believe God would do as He had promised; nothing was too hard for Him:

“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.” (Numbers 14:7-9)

Chapter 14 details the people's reactions to the spies' report. No one seems to listen to Joshua and Caleb; they all start talking about choosing a new leader and heading back to Egypt (v4). Moses has to again intercede for them before the LORD, who says He will destroy them. In the end, the faithless spies die, and everyone else has to travel the wilderness for 40 years as none of that generation are allowed to see the promised land, except Joshua and Caleb.

It's a sobering lesson in what it means to have faith. You're never going to be 'mainstream'; you'll be in the minority. God describes Caleb as having 'a different spirit' and commends him for following Him 'fully' (v24). How many of us can honestly say that we are following God fully too? There are often areas of our lives where our discipleship is a bit lack lustre and half hearted, or perhaps where we think we are following God wholeheartedly, but the reality is, we've never been tested in those areas.

It is so easy to be held back by fear, but the lesson in Numbers here is that ultimately, the things the Israelites feared (falling prey in the wilderness) actually happened because they didn't trust God. It's safer to go forward into the unknown when God is with you, than to try to stay safe without God. That's no safe haven at all.