Archive for December, 2009

Fear and disbelief at the precipice of promise: Numbers 13 and 14

In Numbers 13 and 14 we are continuing with the Israelites as they are sojourning with God. In chapter 13 God tells Moses to send 12 men to scout out the promised land to determine what the land is like. One man from each of the 12 tribes of Israel head out into the promised land. They spend 40 days scouting out the land. To give perspective on how amazing the promised land is the 12 men cut a cluster of grapes which was tied to a pole and required two men to carry it. That is an amazingly massive cluster of grapes. There were many strong people within the promised land who the Israelites would have to kill and cast out for them to take possession. The scouts collected all of the information they needed and returned to Moses, Aaron, and the people of Israel. Read more

Lack of faith in God’s daily provision shown in Numbers 11 and 12

How easily it is to fail to see God for who He truly is. The Israelites consistently grumbled against God. In adversity what do you do? Is God’s anger kindled against you when you lack faith to trust in His provision? Do you think that God can do all things one moment and then you try to solve all your problems your way? In Numbers chapter 11 the people were grumbling to God and he burned up the outskirts of the camp. How amazing is that. God doesn’t change so when we grumble He is not pleased. I would imagine that the people would stop grumbling but they started up again complaining about the food that God was providing. How crazy is that! God was supplying what they needed but they were not thankful for that. The lie that freedom was found in their bondage in Egypt and not in God had poisoned the peoples thoughts so they didn’t see the truth that their freedom was through and in God. Read more