The Journey
The journey of the Israelites
The book of Numbers takes the reader on a long and windy path through the desert of excruciating details. In this book, the people of Israel
tested God's patience over and over again. In turn God tested their faithfulness and endurance.
Though the people failed many times, God continued to show His own faithfulness by His constant presence leading the way: though a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Numbers 13
The Lord said to Moses, "Send the men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel." Moses sent 12 spies, 40 days later
the report tells of a land flowing with milk and honey and abundant fruit, (just as the Lord had said) but the people in the land are very large, far to
large to conquer, says the majority.
How quickly we forget God's promises.
(photo credit: Jodi Benson)
How quickly we forget the promises of God.
40 years later, a new generation of Israelites stand in the very same place. Moses is given detailed instruction on entering the land of Canaan.
God speaks to Moses of the many dangers of not following God's plan completely.
Their 40 years in the wilderness, the idols and/or temptations that the world that the world brings were out of sight. They focused on God.
"But now that they were to pass over Jordan they were entering again into temptation, and therefore, they are strictly charged utterly to destroy all remnants of idolatry." (Matthew Henry commentary)
If they let the Canaanites live among them, the Israelites would learn their ways and slowly fall into step with the wrong way.
If we do not drive out the sin in our lives, sin will drive us out. If we do not put to death our lusts, our lust could quite possibly be the death of our soul.
Where you look is where you love.
Let us be an obedient people.
Until next time, Pam.
