Wednesday 05 August 2009

Background

In this passage, we continue on our journey with the Israelitestowards the Promised Land.

So far, they have arrived at Kadesh and set up camp. Moses thensent spies ahead to explore the land: Canaan. Having spent 40 daysexploring it they return to tell the people what they have seen andtheir story causes the Israelites to fear the inhabitants of theland. It is at this point that we join the story.

Through the eyes of the crowd we see a frightened people respondingwith anger towards Moses and Aaron, and in turn, God. In a splitsecond they forget all that God has done for them; they forgetGod's character; they lose faith and yearn for the so-called bettertimes. They take their hands off the plough and look back, for allthey can see ahead is disaster and death. They are weary and scaredfrom their travels. God is no longer in their sight.

But we also see Joshua, son of Nun, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh -two members of the spying party - responding with grief anddistress at the people's lack of faith. They plead with the people,asking them not to lose faith, telling them that God will deliverthe land into their hands. Their trust in God is absolute. As faras they are concerned, if it is God's will then the land will betheirs. Theirs is a faith built on the experience of a god whonever fails and always keeps promises.

In their anger, the people seek to kill Joshua and Caleb, but justas in the case of Moses in yesterday's reading, God stands up for God's elect and appearsin the tent of meeting before all the Israelites, preventing themfrom being killed. It is at this point that we leave the story.

To Ponder

After the people witnessed so many miracles, whywas it only Joshua and Caleb who seemed to trust God?

How often do you trust God to handle the smallthings, but doubt God's ability to take care of the big problems,the tough decisions and the frightening situations?

In the famous hymn, "Guide me, O thougreat Jehovah", a line invites God to "bid my anxious fearssubside". What situation, or worry, or decision, can you entrust toGod today?