The progress of the wilderness wandering is regularly interrupted with murmuring and complaints from the children of Israel. Early in their journey from Egypt, God patiently endured their grumblings (Ex. 14:11; 15:24; 16:2,20,27; 17:2) graciously supplying all the protection and sustenance they demanded. When serious disruptions occurred, God dealt directly with those responsible and punished them for their sins (Ex. 32:35; Num. 11:1,33).
Yet even after much rebuke, the opposition to Moses continued to grow and eventually more drastic measures were necessary so God’s purpose could be fulfilled. Thus in Numbers 14, a turning point is reached. An entire generation of Israelites had to be punished for their obstinate failure to hearken to God’s voice and enter the promised land.
The spies sent out
In Numbers 13, we read that God commanded spies to search the land of Canaan (13:1,2). In the parallel account in Deuteronomy, however, we learn that this idea originated with the children of Israel. The Lord determined the makeup of the scouting party but the people had come “near unto me [Moses] every one of you, and said, ‘We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come” (Deut 1:22).
When the negative consequence of the mission becomes apparent, we can well ask: Was the request for spies a sincere one, or was it just another rationalization for delay on the road to
Canaan (Deut. 1:6)? Did these former Egyptian slaves really want to enter the land or were they looking for yet another excuse to return to Egypt?
No vision
By this time, Israel had spent more than a year in the wilderness. Besides having witnessed the mighty acts of God in Egypt, they now daily experienced God’s merciful provisions of food, drink and protection from their enemies. Yes, even in this remote area, God could feed them; how much greater would His blessings be once they were in the promised land.
Unfortunately, many still longed for the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic of Egypt. By concentrating their thoughts on the good times of the past, these people left no room in their hearts for a vision of the future (Prov. 29:18). We can understand their thinking as we all experience the difficulty of keeping clear the vision of future blessings.
Regular reminders provided
During the journey, Moses regularly reminded the people of their promised inheritance. They had brought Joseph’s bones from Egypt with the intention of burying them in Canaan (Ex. 13:19). Even this simple act should have illustrated to them the tangibility of the promises to Abraham.
Unfortunately, many of the people would not be present when Joseph’s bones were put to rest in the land that God had appointed for them. Instead, their own bones would be wasted in the wilderness, and only their children would enter the promised land.
Moses hopes they will be encouraged
Moses gave specific instructions to the spies indicating he hoped to gain information about conditions in the land. See “whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land” (13:20).
If Moses believed the Israelites would stop murmuring after the spies reappeared with fruit, then he was greatly disappointed. Although the grapes were spectacular, one cluster between two staffs (13:29), Israel’s murmuring only intensified. Similarly our complaints are liable to increase when we start taking God’s gifts for granted.
Gathered in front of the people, the spies all agreed about one matter: “…surely (the land) floweth with milk and honey…” (13:27). None questioned the goodness of the land. The problem was the apparent strength of the present inhabitants. Ten spies claimed that conquering the land was impossible and exaggerated the dangers in Canaan by saying: “…there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight…We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” Where was faith in God in this evaluation?
A complaint too many
The reaction of the people to such a report was predictable: “Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!” (14:2).
Little did they realize that this time their wish would be granted. God said: “Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness…from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me” (14:29). Although they had claimed “their little ones would be a prey,” in fact, they would die and their “little ones” would “go in thither” (Deut. 1:39).
Faithful men rejected
Though all the spies had seen the same situation, two saw it with eyes of faith. “Let us go up at once, and possess it” Caleb shouted, “for we are well able to overcome it” (Num. 13:30). Then he and Joshua reminded the people that there was no need to be fearful for “their defense [the Canaanites] is departed from them, and the LORD is with us” (14:9; Ex. 23:23).
Instead of heeding this right exhortation, the people would have stoned Caleb and Joshua had not God’s glory suddenly appeared (Num. 14:10).
The reason for their rejection
Why couldn’t the people go forward? “They could not enter in because of unbelief…the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” is the evaluation of Heb. 3:19 and 4:2.
Jesus seems to have the children of Israel in mind when he admonishes us: “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:29-32).
Let us heed the exhortation and strive to do the will of our Heavenly Father so as not to be hardened through the deceitfulness of unbelief.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One