For 40 Days – Day 13: The Scouts’ Reports: Concepts

Key Episode Scripture: Numbers chapters 13-14

I, the Lord, have spoken. Surely this will I do to all this wicked congregation who are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall come to a full end, and there they shall die. (Numbers 13:17-20 ESVUK)

Twelve men were sent to spy on the land God promised to Israel. It took them 40 days to do so, but those 40 days left an impact that would dramatically change the course of a generation of Israel. We explored aspects of the context of this episode before outlining the content. What goes on in this episode helps us gain insights into the human condition, the character of God, and the point of mission.

The value of God’s glory. Those who God calls are given the responsibility of representing Him well because His glory is at stake. What is the glory of God – why is it so important? The glory of God is the weighty essence of His presence. It is the recognition that God has been present in a way that displays His wonder and His majesty. God’s glory is seen in creation. It is seen in how His mighty works are expressed – such as how He brought the people out of slavery. It’s seen when men and women humbly obey God to declare and demonstrate His will. God’s glory is expressed and then goes on to be expressed through various actions and more. Thus, to be among those whom God calls to rebel against what He has called brings into disrepute the glory of God. The instructions the twelve men received had nothing to do with checking if Israel could enter the land. It was an expedition to see what the people were about to win. It was an opportunity for the people to glimpse how great and glorious God is in the quality of what He’s promised. Underpinning this entire episode isn’t just about the character of God; it’s about the high value of His glory.

The matter of faith. The crucial aspect of this episode of what happens in 40 days is the matter of faith. Is it faith directed to God and agreeing with what He says, or is it detaching that connection and seeing things from the limitations of our perspective? It answers the question, whose report will you believe? Twelve men witnessed similar aspects of the land promised. Twelve men even agreed on what was described about the land. The majority of men, however, chose not to believe God. They saw in their eyes and didn’t remember God, who had rescued them from the superpower that was Egypt. They saw in their eyes and considered themselves inadequate and ill-equipped to take on the inhabitants and even to manage such a rich, prosperous and lush land. Their eyes revealed the source of their faith, and it wasn’t God. That was the majority view.

Yet, two of them had a very different view. What Caleb says about the opportunity reveals the kind of character God delights in. It does not depend on self and presuming capability. This is about those who keep their view on God and take Him at His word. Faith may be about brave acts and taking a stand against the majority view, and one who sees them on the brink of being stoned by the congregation is certainly very brave. That bravery, however, is not sourced in bravado and a gung-ho tendency – it is trusting in what God has done. We read these events and marvel and applaud those who take these steps. As we marvel and applaud, though, it’s so important to understand that these acts are not superhero qualities reserved for the few. This is available to anyone who chooses to keep their eyes on God over all situations.

Pardon and Punish. It might feel like déjà vu to hear Moses appealing to God not to do something because it would give Him a bad reputation to the surrounding people. It could be a chance to see the importance of intercession again. However, the focus is not so much on what Moses does but on how God responds. God can pardon, but it doesn’t mean He won’t punish. That might sound odd, but it makes more sense when it’s understood that all God has done is to change immediate wipeout to a wipeout over 40 years. God’s deliberate plan of letting that generation die in the wilderness is a sobering reminder that His idea of not letting the guilty go unpunished and His high value on His glory can be worked out in the long term, not just immediately. It’s a sobering insight into the character of God, who can patiently bear with us and is merciful and gracious but is not One to let things go without resolving things.

The Presumption Problem. It was one thing to be motivated by fear to disobey God. Israel compounded their issues with God by choosing to be presumptuous after God had spoken on the matter. What is it about us as people that makes us presumptuous? What about us leads us to take matters into our own hands from one degree to another, failing to appreciate what God says? Again, this highlights the lack of respect and trust people had in God. Who did they think they were impressing to go up against the neighbours without God? As these questions are explored, they reveal not just a problem God’s people had at that time. It shows an aspect of our lives that tells more about how self-centred and self-absorbed we can be than listening and humbly responding to God’s words. The same faith that gets us to trust God when He speaks should be the one that gets us only to go where He goes and no further and do what He instructs without getting improvisational as if we can add something to what He says.

Next, we will reach conclusions about this episode, examining what we can learn from the people’s choice to believe the evil report of ten men rather than God’s perspective through two.

For His Name’s Sake

C. L. J. Dryden

Shalom