Bible Verse: Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. But you — your bodies will fall in this desert. Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. For forty years — one year for each of the forty days you explored the land — you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you. Numbers 14:30-34
Scripture Reading: Numbers 14
Our look at Numbers chapter 14 could begin with a TV narrator’s voice saying, “Last time, in the journey of the Israelites…” calling us back to remember chapter 13. In that chapter (you can go back and refresh yourself through yesterday’s devotional), God’s generosity was on full display.
To this group that God had already miraculously delivered from oppressive slavery in Egypt and brought, with signs and wonders and provision, on a journey to the doorstep of this new land, God was now showing them just what He was delivering them into: this is something like the Garden of Eden 2.0.
The Promised Land is a place of provision, protection, and presence, as much of a paradise as can be offered, after Eden was lost and the world was broken by sin.
But the land was not yet theirs. There was work to be done before the bounty could be enjoyed. And the work looked arduous. Tough enough that Israel lost heart and faith.
They lost faith in the leadership of Moses and Aaron. But most disturbingly, they lost faith in the God who had already done so much for them. The giants in the land were too much for their faith. The Israelites were defeated without fighting a single battle.
Does that sound at all familiar?
Perhaps not to scale, but how often is God’s faithfulness met by our unfaithfulness?
When we don’t want to face the situation in front of us, we feel that God can’t help us. Our fickle nature can disregard the history of God’s provision, the long record of His work on our behalf and His involvement in our lives.
Faithfulness is repaid with doubt and fear.
The consequences for Israel were dire. God did not take lightly the short memories of the Israelites. Their lack of faith despite the lived evidence of God’s presence and protection was a deep insult to God.
None of those who saw God’s goodness and power in their deliverance from Egypt would see the final result of their deliverance. They would not see the Promised Land.
Repaying God’s faithfulness with rebellion and faithlessness is a serious matter. God is committed to His people, and in return, He expects our trust and fidelity.
Prayer: God, faithfulness is Your character. You are true to Yourself, Your Word, and Your people. We, however, are often fickle, faithless, and floundering. We follow You weakly and often only when it is easy. Forgive me for my lack of trust. Help me to remember Your presence in my life and to follow You with all my life.
Reflection: What circumstances most often make you doubt God’s presence and goodness? Are you in a place of rebellion right now? Ask God to forgive you and help you grow and follow Him faithfully.
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