This week we looked at The Twelve Spies from Numbers with a theme on failure. It’s clear throughout this passage that failure and the fear of failure clouded the minds of the Israelites as well as their faith. The task of entering Canaan to take the Promised Land was too overwhelming and unfathomable, except to two of the entrusted leaders, Caleb & Joshua, who pleaded with the people to trust that they were capable of the task set before them.
We explored the feelings that Caleb, Joshua, and Moses might have felt hearing the views and feedback from the other 10 tribe leaders, who were suggesting that they were by no means capable of entering Canaan to take the land; these 10 and the large majority of the Israelites were also questioning God’s direction through Moses, suggesting a new leader was needed, to return them to Egypt.
After the glory of the Lord appears before Moses at the Tabernacle and informs him that this unbelieving generation will not get into the Promised Land, the Israelites profess their sin, and against God’s will, enter Canaan where they were defeated. Conversations at the different tables led to discussion about why a second chance wasn’t extended to the Israelites when they decided to enter the region upon learning of their initial sin.
From the plagues that struck and killed the 10 tribe leaders to the denial of the Promised Land, this passage shows God’s power; however, you also see His grace and mercy, by providing for the Israelites who returned to the wilderness for the rest of their lives per God’s instruction. As stated in the passage, “Their clothes and shoes didn’t get old, and God provided their daily food.”
Despite the theme of failure throughout this passage, you also get a glimpse of passionate leadership persistence from Caleb and Joshua. They stood strong in their faith in God to lead and protect them in their efforts to enter the Promised Land. They did not let the masses persuade them otherwise, and instead, pleaded to lead them into Canaan, where they believed they would successfully take the land. Although they weren’t able to convince the Israelites to follow them, they never gave up, and in the end, were allowed into the land of Canaan.
How do you tackle the daily obstacles in life where you feel like a grasshopper amongst giants, just as the 10 tribe leaders expressed in this passage? Do you have a way to deal with the fear of failure? Lean on God for your faith in conquering these daily challenges.
I pray this week that you see God’s hand in all that you do and that you don’t allow fear to cloud your faith.