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trarily imposed. They had been pre served from death in Egypt by the blood, they had been brought thus far from Egypt by God’s power, but they kept themselves out of the land by their own faithlessness and dis obedience. All who came out of Egypt were to die in the wilderness, with the ex ception of Caleb and Joshua who had wholly followed the Lord. Another generation, born in the wilderness, would possess the land. Whatever God’s people might do, and however great their punishment, they could not defeat His purpose “that all the earth ...b e filled with the glory of the Lord.” Points and Problems 1. “How long will this people pro voke me?" (Num. 14:11). God was pro voked because of Israel’s unbelief. In spite of all the evidences of His love and care, they still did not trust Him. This lack of faith resulted in con tinual complaining on Israel’s part. The Book of Numbers has been called “ thé book of murmurings.” Note the instances of these grievances: (1) be cause-of the way (11:1-3); (2) be cause of the -food (11:4-6) ; (3) because of their leader (12:1, 2) ; (4) because of giants in th e .way (13:33-14:2); and (5) because of thirst (20:1-6). God was displeased with this resentful spirit as He always is, for it shows a lack of confidence in Him. 2. “Then the Egyptians shall hear it" (Num. 14:13). Here is the expression of Moses’ real concern in ,connection with God’s threatened chastisement of His sinning children. He knew that the outside world would learn of it and .thereby God’s cause would be brought into reproach. It is always a sad thing when the unregenerate world sees and hears about the per sistent failures of God’s children. It therefore behooves believers always to so conduct themselves as to give no occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme (1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:15). 3. "Surely they shall not see the land . . . neither shall any of them that pro voked me see it" (Num. 14:23). Thus we observe a people redeemed, but never reaching complete victory and blessing in their lives. The blood of redemption was theirs in Egypt, but the victory and rest in Canaan were not their experience. Why? Because of their faithlessness. So it is today: Many saved ones fail to enjoy Canaan peace and triumph. They accept Christ as their Saviour, but never go on to recognize Him as their Lord. They are satisfied merely to get out of Egypt, but never get beyond the wil derness. It is the Canaan experience that brings the richest rewards, the greatest glory to God, and the deepest heart satisfaction.
Per the Children B rave C aleb N umbers 13:17-20, 27, 28, 30, 31; 14:6-9 MEMORY VERSE: “I will trust and not be afraid” (Isa. 12:2). APPROACH: For many months, the Children of Israel journeyed from the land of Egypt where they had been slaves, to the new land which God had promised to give to them. As they came near to their new land, God spoke again to their leader, Moses, as He had done many times in the years since the nation left Egypt. LESSON STORY: God told Moses to choose twelve men to go ahead of the Children of Israel in order to see what their new land was like. Moses told the twelve spies to find out about the people, whether .they were weak or strong; about the land, whether the crops and forests were good or poor; and about the cities, whether the peo ple lived in tents or well-built houses. After forty days, the spies returned. They brought some fine fruit, and told Moses what a wonderful land they had seen. However, ten of the spies were afraid for the Children of Israel to enter the land because the people lived in walled cities and were very strong; some of them were giants. One of the spies, Caleb, remembered what God had done for His people in the past. He said to the Children of Israel, “Let us go up at once arid possess it [the land]; for we are well able to overcome it” (Num. 13:30). Instead of paying attention to Caleb, and trusting in God to give them the land, the people listened to the other unbelieving spies and decided to re turn to Egypt. C a l e b and Joshua begged them to trust in God to take care of them, and to help them in the new land, but they refused to listen. God was so displeased with His children for not believing His word that He would not let them enter the beautiful country to which He had been leading them. Because of their lack of faith, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years until those who had refused to trust God had died. What a foolish choice they made! Perhaps there are t i m e s when Christian boys and girls do not re ceive from God some of the blessings that He has planned for them because they do not have faith in Him. Unless we are willing to trust Him in times of hardship and disappointment and danger, He may make us wait for some of the good things that He would like to give us. Those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour can always say, "No matter what happens, I will trust and not be afraid.”
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