Would these eleven be ready for the unknown, the unthinkable? Could they face insurmountable odds like their forefathers did?
- Would they remain God’s friend like Abraham?
- Could they be steadfast like Joseph?
- Would they lead grumbling followers like Moses?
- Could they be strong and courageous like Joshua?
- Would they be men after God’s own heart like David?
Each of these ancient men was enabled with specific talents by God for super human tasks that only God could ordain and bring the subsequent success. Would Jesus’ disciples go and do likewise?
I want to spend some time on a particular favorite of mine, Joshua. A little background will help us get a grasp of the full impact of the instruction laid out before this remarkable man of God.
The children of Israel were slaves in Egypt for more than 400 years when God miraculously rescued them from that bondage through his somewhat reluctant servant, Moses. Over time and through many public and private lessons, Moses became less and less hesitant and more and more valiant as leader over Israel. Now every great leader needs a trustworthy aide. For Moses, that man was Joshua. He served Moses as his attendant from his youth (Numbers 11:28) and led Israel into many battles as they journeyed through the desert to the land God promised them (Exodus 17:9-13).
Finally, the Israelites were near their final destination, the Promised Land, and God told Moses to send out twelve chosen men to spy out the land. Forty days after the twelve spies (Joshua being one of them) left to check things out, they returned with all kinds of wonderful produce and reports of a land flowing with milk and honey. Hmm…mmm! After all this time with nothing but manna and quail, the Israelites took off immediately and entered into the land God had promised them, right? Sadly, no. Ten of the men also reported to Moses and the people that there were giants in the land and they felt like grasshoppers in their sight (Numbers 13:33). This frightened all the people and confused them on what they should do next.
Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, tried to reason with the masses. Yes, there were giants. And yes, there were many cities to conquer. But God would enable them to overcome these obstacles (Numbers 13:30). The people decided to go with the majority. Needless to say, majority rule does not necessarily mean having the right answer. There was only one yes or no question on this test God put before His people. It should have been an easy question to answer in light of all God had done for the nation of Israel.
Can we trust God and enter into the land He promised our father Abraham? The correct answer is, “Yes! Pack up and move in!” Instead, the Israelites complicated the question with man’s reasoning, logic, and majority opinion. They answered, “No! Let’s go back to our tents and figure out some other way.”
The Israelites got this simple yet critical yes or no question wrong and it cost them everything. They would wandered in the wilderness for another 40 years until the entire generation who went with the majority vote died out. Except, that is, for Joshua and Caleb. Because of their correct answer to this yes or no question of trusting God, their lives were spared. In fact, God used both of them in miraculous ways to conquer the land meant for His people Israel.
The naysayer generation eventually dies out, and because of his own lapse of faith, and in reality, God’s providence, Moses will not be going into the Promised Land. God takes Him to the top of a mountain, shows him all the land, and tells him he will not be going any further.
Moses dies.
Discussion
- We are told in I John 2:6 that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life sums up all that is in the world. How would each of these hinder the mandate to love one another? To Christians in general? To you specifically?
- Lust of the flesh
- Lust of the eyes
- Pride of life
One Another Living 