Números 14

Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin

Números 14

Spurgeon - Morning, April 30 “And all the children of Israel murmured.” —Numbers 14:2 There are murmurers amongst Christians now, as there were in the camp of Israel of old. There are those who, when the rod falls, cry out against the afflictive dispensation. They ask, “Why am I thus afflicted? What have I done to be chastened in this manner?” A word with thee, O murmurer! Why shouldst thou murmur against the dispensations of thy heavenly Father? Can he treat thee more hardly than thou deservest? Consider what a rebel thou wast once, but he has pardoned thee! Surely, if he in his wisdom sees fit now to chasten thee, thou shouldst not complain. After all, art thou smitten as hardly as thy sins deserve? Consider the corruption which is in thy breast, and then wilt thou wonder that there needs so much of the rod to fetch it out? Weigh thyself, and discern how much dross is mingled with thy gold; and dost thou think the fire too hot to purge away so much dross as thou hast? Does not that proud rebellious spirit of thine prove that thy heart is not thoroughly sanctified? Are not those murmuring words contrary to the holy submissive nature of God’s children? Is not the correction needed? But if thou wilt murmur against the chastening, take heed, for it will go hard with murmurers. God always chastises his children twice, if they do not bear the first stroke patiently. But know one thing—“He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” All his corrections are sent in love, to purify thee, and to draw thee nearer to himself. Surely it must help thee to bear the chastening with resignation if thou art able to recognize thy Father’s hand. For “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.” “Murmur not as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer.” A Warning To Grumblers They did not believe His word, but complained. — Psalm 106:24-25 Today's Scripture: Psalm 106:6-25 Most of us do our share of complaining, but few of us see it for what it is. Although we condemn some sins in others, we tolerate our own murmuring as nothing more than a negative attitude. But in the Scriptures, God condemns it as a grievous sin. One example of its seriousness is found in Numbers 13 when Israel refused to enter the Promised Land, objecting that the people were stronger than they were (vv.26-33). Psalm 106:24-25 lists three sins that kept the Israelites in the wilderness: They “despised” the blessings of the Promised Land, they “did not believe” God’s word that all would be well there, and they “did not heed” His voice of direction. Instead, they sat in their tents and “complained.” God wanted to bless His people, yet they preferred to hang on to the barren familiarity of the wilderness. So God did not allow any of that generation to enter the land. Author Ian Thomas warns today’s grumblers: “Ignoring what you need, you will begin to clamor for what you want, and if you are not careful—God will give it to you!” When things go wrong, I would not be a grumbler, Complaining, seeing everything as grim; For when I think of how the Lord has blessed me, I cannot help but give my praise to Him. —Hess God always gives his best to those who leave the choice with him. Numbers 14:3 "Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" BGT Numbers 14:3 καὶ ἵνα τί κύριος εἰσάγει ἡμᾶς εἰς τὴν γῆν ταύτην πεσεῖν ἐν πολέμῳ αἱ γυναῖκες ἡμῶν καὶ τὰ παιδία ἔσονται εἰς διαρπαγήν νῦν οὖν βέλτιον ἡμῖν ἐστιν ἀποστραφῆναι εἰς Αἴγυπτον NET Numbers 14:3 Why has the LORD brought us into this land only to be killed by the sword, that our wives and our children should become plunder? Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?" NLT Numbers 14:3 "Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?" ESV Numbers 14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" NIV Numbers 14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" KJV Numbers 14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? YLT Numbers 14:3 and why is Jehovah bringing us in unto this land to fall by the sword? our wives and our infants are become a prey; is it not good for us to turn back to Egypt?' LXE Numbers 14:3 Would we had died in the land of Egypt! or in this wilderness, would we had died! and why does the Lord bring us into this land to fall in war? our wives and our children shall be for a prey: now then it is better to return into Egypt. ASV Numbers 14:3 And wherefore doth Jehovah bring us unto this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be a prey: were it not better for us to return into Egypt? CSB Numbers 14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and little children will become plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" NKJ Numbers 14:3 "Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" NRS Numbers 14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become booty; would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" NAB Numbers 14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land only to have us fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will be taken as booty. Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" NJB Numbers 14:3 Why has Yahweh brought us to this country, for us to perish by the sword and our wives and children to be seized as booty? Should we not do better to go back to Egypt?' Why is the LORD: Ps 78:40 Jer 9:3 our wives: Nu 14:31,32 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage Yet you were not willing to go up, but rebelled against the command of the LORD your God; 27 and you grumbled in your tents and said, ‘Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us. (Dt 1:26-27) Why is the LORD bringing us into this land - Notice in verse 2 they blame Moses but now blame God! This land sounds like they are referring to it in a slightly disparaging manner. Why don't they BELIEVE the covenant that God promised to Abraham? In that covenant there was a specific divine promise that Abraham's seed would inherit 'THE LAND" (Ge 12:7+ Ge 13:18, Ge 15:7+). They refused to believe and thus they rejected God's promise. As Jesus said centuries later " you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (Jn 8:31) Either they did not know the truth, they forgot the truth or they choose to simply reject the truth. We can do the same as believers today and in so doing fail to enter into the abundant life God promises to those who hear and heed the truth (Jn 10:10). The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth (rages) against the LORD. (KJV) People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD. (NLT) -- Proverbs 19:3

Números 14

Spurgeon - The report of the spies Numbers 14:6–7 Every unguarded word you use, every inconsistent act, puts a slur on Christ. The world, you know, does not find fault with you—they lay it all to your Master. If you make a slip tomorrow, they will not say, “That is John Smith’s human nature;” they will say, “That is John Smith’s religion.” They know better, but they will be sure to say it; they will be sure to put all the mischief at the door of Christ. Now, if you could bear the blame yourself you might bear it manfully; but do not allow Christ to bear the blame—do not suffer his reputation to be tarnished—do not permit his banner to be trampled in the dust. Then there is another consideration. You must remember, if you do wrong, the world will be quite sure to notice you. The world carries two bags: in the bag at the back they put all the Christian’s virtues—in the bag in front they put all our mistakes and sins. They never think of looking at the virtues of holy men; all the courage of martyrs, all the fidelity of confessors, and all the holiness of saints, is nothing to them; but our iniquities are ever before them. Please do recollect, that wherever you are, as a Christian, the eyes of the world are upon you; the Argus eyes of an evil generation follow you everywhere. If a church is blind the world is not. It is a common proverb, “As sound asleep as a church,” and a very true one, for most churches are sound asleep; but it would be a great falsehood if anyone were to say, “As sound asleep as the world,” for the world is never asleep. Sleeping is left to the church. And remember, too, that the world always wears magnifying glasses to look at Christians’ faults. Numbers 14:7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, "The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. BGT Numbers 14:7 καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς πᾶσαν συναγωγὴν υἱῶν Ισραηλ λέγοντες ἡ γῆ ἣν κατεσκεψάμεθα αὐτήν ἀγαθή ἐστιν σφόδρα σφόδρα NET Numbers 14:7 They said to the whole community of the Israelites, "The land we passed through to investigate is an exceedingly good land. NLT Numbers 14:7 They said to all the people of Israel, "The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! ESV Numbers 14:7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, "The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. NIV Numbers 14:7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. KJV Numbers 14:7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. YLT Numbers 14:7 and they speak unto all the company of the sons of Israel, saying, 'The land into which we have passed over to spy it, is a very very good land; LXE Numbers 14:7 and spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, The land which we surveyed is indeed extremely good. ASV Numbers 14:7 and they spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceeding good land. CSB Numbers 14:7 and said to the entire Israelite community: "The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. NKJ Numbers 14:7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. NRS Numbers 14:7 and said to all the congregation of the Israelites, "The land that we went through as spies is an exceedingly good land. exceedingly good land: Nu 13:27 Dt 1:25 Dt 6:10,11 Dt 8:7-9 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 1:25 “Then they took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us; and they brought us back a report and said, ‘It is a good land which the LORD our God is about to give us.’ Deuteronomy 8:7-9 “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. JOSHUA AND CALEB SPEAK OUT BOLDLY and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel - How 2 million plus could hear them is unclear. Bush - Nothing could well be a stronger proof of their undaunted courage and incorruptible fidelity than daring thus, in the face of so vast a multitude, to bear a testimony directly opposite to that which had been given by the faithless spies. Saying, "The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land - They had first hand witness to these facts! Note the land was not just "good" but "exceedingly good!" This should be enough to motivate a change of heart in the congregation, but their hearts had become hardened. That is what sin will do to our hears Hebrews 3:13 stating we are to "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened (skleruno) by the deceitfulness (apate) of sin." Sin had deceived the congregation into thinking their fate in Egypt would be better than their fate in the Promised Land! NET Note on exceedingly good - The repetition of the adverb מְאֹד (mé’od) is used to express this: “very, very [good].” Bush - Heb. “Is a good land, very, very.” Gr. “Exceeding, exceeding good;” that is, every way desirable. This is the mode of expressing the superlative degree in Hebrew. Numbers 14:8 "If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us--a land which flows with milk and honey. BGT Numbers 14:8 εἰ αἱρετίζει ἡμᾶς κύριος εἰσάξει ἡμᾶς εἰς τὴν γῆν ταύτην καὶ δώσει αὐτὴν ἡμῖν γῆ ἥτις ἐστὶν ῥέουσα γάλα καὶ μέλι NET Numbers 14:8 If the LORD delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us– a land that is flowing with milk and honey. NLT Numbers 14:8 And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. ESV Numbers 14:8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. NIV Numbers 14:8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. KJV Numbers 14:8 If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. YLT Numbers 14:8 if Jehovah hath delighted in us, then He hath brought us in unto this land, and hath given it to us, a land which is flowing with milk and honey; LXE Numbers 14:8 If the Lord choose us, he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which flows with milk and honey. ASV Numbers 14:8 If Jehovah delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it unto us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. CSB Numbers 14:8 If the LORD is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. NKJ Numbers 14:8 "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us,`a land which flows with milk and honey.' NRS Numbers 14:8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. pleased: De 10:15 2Sa 15:25,26 22:20 1Ki 10:9 Ps 22:8 147:10,11 Isa 62:4 Jer 32:41 Zep 3:17 Ro 8:31 a land which: Nu 13:27 THE MINORITY REPORT CONTINUES If the LORD is pleased with us: What pleases Yahweh? Hebrews 11:6+ says "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Samuel said "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." (1Sa 15:22). In short Yahweh would have been pleased with the sons of Israel if they had taken Him at His Word and in their belief would have been willing to enter the Promised Land. The old Hymn says it best, "Trust and obey, for there's no better way to be happy in Jesus, then to trust and obey." Bush - The meaning is, if we are careful not to forfeit the divine favor by our remissness or disobedience. THOUGHT - That sinful men can even potentially please a perfect God ought to make us fall on our face in wonder and awe and thankfulness. How great is our Father's love? 1 John 3:1+ - See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Then He will bring us into this land and give it to us - Note the verbs indicate God would bring them in and God would give them the land. This was in essence His promise of the land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but it was a promise that had to be obtained by faith, which they seem to be sorely lacking. A land which flows with milk and honey - They amplify their description of an exceedingly good land with the picture of a land flowing with milk and honey (which even the 10 spies acknowledged in Nu 13:27+). God is not asking them to believe in something horrible, but in something exceedingly wonderful. NET Note on milk and honey - The subjective genitives “milk and honey” are symbols of the wealth of the land, second only to bread. Milk was a sign of such abundance (Gen 49:12; Isa 7:21, 22). Because of the climate the milk would thicken quickly and become curds, eaten with bread or turned into butter. The honey mentioned here is the wild honey (see Deut 32:13; Judg 14:8–9). It signified sweetness, or the finer things of life (Ezek 3:3). Related Resource: Why was Israel called the land of milk and honey? G Campbell

Números 14

Spurgeon - Morning, August 27 “How long will it be ere they believe me?” —Numbers 14:11 Strive with all diligence to keep out that monster unbelief. It so dishonours Christ, that he will withdraw his visible presence if we insult him by indulging it. It is true it is a weed, the seeds of which we can never entirely extract from the soil, but we must aim at its root with zeal and perseverance. Among hateful things it is the most to be abhorred. Its injurious nature is so venomous that he that exerciseth it and he upon whom it is exercised are both hurt thereby. In thy case, O believer! it is most wicked, for the mercies of thy Lord in the past, increase thy guilt in doubting him now. When thou dost distrust the Lord Jesus, he may well cry out, “Behold I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves.” This is crowning his head with thorns of the sharpest kind. It is very cruel for a well-beloved wife to mistrust a kind and faithful husband. The sin is needless, foolish, and unwarranted. Jesus has never given the slightest ground for suspicion, and it is hard to be doubted by those to whom our conduct is uniformly affectionate and true. Jesus is the Son of the Highest, and has unbounded wealth; it is shameful to doubt Omnipotence and distrust all-sufficiency. The cattle on a thousand hills will suffice for our most hungry feeding, and the granaries of heaven are not likely to be emptied by our eating. If Christ were only a cistern, we might soon exhaust his fulness, but who can drain a fountain? Myriads of spirits have drawn their supplies from him, and not one of them has murmured at the scantiness of his resources. Away, then, with this lying traitor unbelief, for his only errand is to cut the bonds of communion and make us mourn an absent Saviour. Bunyan tells us that unbelief has “as many lives as a cat:” if so, let us kill one life now, and continue the work till the whole nine are gone. Down with thee, thou traitor, my heart abhors thee. Numbers 14:12 "I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they." BGT Numbers 14:12 πατάξω αὐτοὺς θανάτῳ καὶ ἀπολῶ αὐτοὺς καὶ ποιήσω σὲ καὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός σου εἰς ἔθνος μέγα καὶ πολὺ μᾶλλον ἢ τοῦτο NET Numbers 14:12 I will strike them with the pestilence, and I will disinherit them; I will make you into a nation that is greater and mightier than they!" NLT Numbers 14:12 I will disown them and destroy them with a plague. Then I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are!" ESV Numbers 14:12 I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they." NIV Numbers 14:12 I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they." KJV Numbers 14:12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. YLT Numbers 14:12 I smite it with pestilence, and dispossess it, and make thee become a nation greater and mightier than it.' LXE Numbers 14:12 I will smite them with death, and destroy them; and I will make of thee and of thy father's house a great nation, and much greater than this. ASV Numbers 14:12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they. CSB Numbers 14:12 I will strike them with a plague and destroy them. Then I will make you into a greater and mightier nation than they are." NKJ Numbers 14:12 "I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they." NRS Numbers 14:12 I will strike them with pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they." smite: Nu 16:46-49 25:9 Ex 5:3 2Sa 24:1,12-15 will make: Ex 32:10 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Exodus 32:10+ (GOLDEN CALF EPISODE) “Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” "I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they." - The Lxx translates pestilence with thanatos the word for death. God would deprive them of the land promised to their fathers. Their bodies would fall but the covenant would not fail. For the second time God offered to make of Moses a new nation in place of this one Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” (Ex 32:10+). Pestilence (01698)(deber from dabar = to speak) refers to plague. In the first 3 uses in Exodus deber speaks of divinely induced pestilence on Egypt (Ex 5:3, 9:3, 15). In Lev 26:25 as punishment for Israel's sin God promises "I will send pestilence among you, so that you shall be delivered into enemy hands." (Compare Nu 14:12, Dt 28:21) Pestilence in the English dictionary = a deadly or highly infectious epidemic outbreak usually of an infectious disease but figuratively can be an evil influence. Bush comments that "The noble disinterestedness of Moses appears conspicuous in his reply. He is much more concerned for the divine honor than his own." Numbers 14:13 But Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, BGT Numbers 14:13 καὶ εἶπεν Μωυσῆς πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἀκούσεται Αἴγυπτος ὅτι ἀνήγαγες τῇ ἰσχύι σου τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ἐξ αὐτῶν NET Numbers 14:13 Moses said to the LORD, "When the Egyptians hear it– for you brought up this people by your power from among them– NLT Numbers 14:13 But Moses objected. "What will the Egyptians think when they hear about it?" he asked the LORD. "They know full well the power you displayed in rescuing your people from Egypt. ESV Numbers 14:13 But Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them, NIV Numbers 14:13 Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. KJV Numbers 14:13 And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;) YLT Numbers 14:13 And Moses saith unto Jehovah, 'Then have the Egyptians heard! for Thou hast brought up with Thy power this people out of their midst, LXE Numbers 14:13 And Moses said to the Lord, So Egypt shall hear, for thou hast brought up this people from them by thy might. ASV Numbers 14:13 And Moses said unto Jehovah, Then the Egyptians will hear it; for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them; CSB Numbers 14:13 But Moses replied to the LORD, "The Egyptians will hear about it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from them. NKJ Numbers 14:13 And Moses said to the LORD: "Then the Egyptians will hear it, for by Your might You brought these people up from among them, NRS Numbers 14:13 But Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for in your might you brought up this people from among them, Then the: Ex 32:12 De 9:26-28 32:27 Jos 7:8,9 Ps 106:23 Eze 20:9,14 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES REASONS THAT YAHWEH'S REPUTATION WILL BE TARNISHED But Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it - Moses had made a similar appeal in Exodus 32:12+ asking God “Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people."

Números 14

Spurgeon - Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach. Like a bold warrior who defends the wall when there is an opening for the adversary and destruction is rushing in upon the city, Moses stopped the way of avenging justice with his prayers. Moses had great power with God. He was an eminent type of our Lord, who is called, as Moses here is styled, "mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth." As the Elect Redeemer interposed between the Lord and a sinful world, so did Moses stand between the Lord and his offending people. The story as told by Moses himself is full of interest and instruction, and tends greatly to magnify the goodness of the Lord, who thus suffered himself to be turned from the fierceness of his anger. With disinterested affection, and generous renunciation of privileges offered to himself and his family, the great Lawgiver interceded with the Lord to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. Behold the power of a righteous man's intercession. Mighty as was the sin of Israel to provoke vengeance, prayer was mightier in turning it away. How diligently ought we to plead with the Lord for this guilty world, and especially for his own backsliding people! Who would not employ an agency so powerful for an end so gracious! The Lord still harkens to the voice of a man, shall not our voices be often exercised in supplicating for a guilty people? Numbers 14:21 but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD. indeed De 32:40 Isa 49:18 Jer 22:24 Eze 5:11 18:3 33:11,27 Zep 2:9 all the: Ps 72:19 Hab 2:14 Mt 6:10 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries YAHWEH'S PROPHECY OF FUTURE GLORY But indeed, as I live, A common oath form. In the Pentateuch, it occurs only here and in (Nu 14:28). All of God's dealings with His people up to this point should have conveyed the idea that He was a living God. Here it is explicitly stated. He is not like dead images that cannot speak, see, or move. By contrast, God is the living God who communicates with us and is involved in the events of His world. All the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD - This was to have been the role of the Chosen People, to carry the glory of Jehovah to all of the peoples of the world. They failed miserably, but one offspring, succeeded majestically when He died a cruel death on a Cross. This opened the path for the glory of the LORD to begin to fill the whole earth as the Gospel of Jesus was carried globally by His ambassadors. The ultimate fulfillment of this is a prophecy will be in the time of the Messianic Kingdom. Habakkuk 2:14+ “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea. Psalm 72:19 And blessed be His glorious name forever; And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. FSB - God has power over all nations. It was important that God preserve the covenant, since the covenant contained an element (Gen 12:3) guaranteeing that Israel would be the divine instrument for reclaiming all the nations disinherited at Babel (Deut 32:8–9; compare Gen 11:1–9). Numbers 14:22 "Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, have seen: Nu 14:11 De 1:31-35 Ps 95:9-11 106:26 Heb 3:17,18 test: Ex 17:2 Ps 95:9 106:14 Mal 3:15 Mt 4:7 1Co 10:9 Heb 3:9 ten times: Ge 31:7,41 Job 19:3 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Surely all the men who have seen My glory - Day and night they have seen the Shekinah glory! and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness - The Passover, bread from heaven, water from a rock, etc. yet - Term of contrast. In spite of the clear evidence of Jehovah's existence and His love and care for the nation of Israel. Have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice - Here God associates testing Him with not listening to Him. Bush on ten times - These many times; a definite number for an indefinite, as in Gen. 31:7, “And changed my wages ten times,” i. e. frequently. Job 19:3, “These ten times have ye reproached me.” Lev. 26:26. Test (tempt) (05254)(nacah/nasah Lxx = peirazo) in most OT uses has idea of testing or proving quality of someone or something and doing so often through adversity or hardship. As the following context makes clear (note "to see," lit., "to know," in 3:4), the purpose of this divine test was to determine if Israel was truly loyal. An examination of parallel passages shows that such divine tests were designed to reveal otherwise hidden character qualities. Testing which shows what someone is really like generally involves difficulty or hardship. 34x in OT - Gen. 22:1; Exod. 15:25; Exod. 16:4; Exod. 17:2; Exod. 17:7; Exod. 20:20; Num. 14:22; Deut. 4:34; Deut. 6:16; Deut. 8:2; Deut. 8:16; Deut. 13:3; Deut. 28:56; Deut. 33:8; Jdg. 2:22; Jdg. 3:1; Jdg. 3:4; Jdg. 6:39; 1 Sam. 17:39; 1 Ki. 10:1; 2 Chr. 9:1; 2 Chr. 32:31; Job 4:2; Ps. 26:2; Ps. 78:18; Ps. 78:41; Ps. 78:56; Ps. 95:9; Ps. 106:14; Eccl. 2:1; Eccl. 7:23; Isa. 7:12; Dan. 1:12; Dan. 1:14 NET Note on test - The verb נָסָה (nasah) means “to test, to tempt, to prove.” It can be used to indicate things are tried or proven, or for testing in a good sense, or tempting in the bad sense, i.e., putting God to the test. In all uses there is uncertainty or doubt about the outcome. Some uses of the verb are positive: If God tests Abraham in Genesis 22:1, it is because there is uncertainty whether he fears the LORD or not; if people like Gideon put out the fleece and test the LORD, it is done by faith but in order to be certain of the LORD’s presence. But here, when these people put God to the test ten times, it was because they doubted the goodness and ability of God, and this was a major weakness. They had proof to the contrary, but chose to challenge God. Ten times - possibly it was just the Hebrew way of saying. For example Job 19:3 says “These ten times you have insulted me; You are not ashamed to wrong me." FSB on ten times - This does not necessarily refer to a literal 10 times, but is a figure of speech meaning “too many” (compare Gen 31:7). The point is that Israel has a habit of testing Yahweh, and this is a habit he does not appreciate. Ten Times - "Ten” is here a round figure, emphasizing the complete testing." (NET) And while we can make a list of "Ten" the truth is that the list could probably be much longer! Here are some examples... Red Sea (Ex 14:10-12) Marah (Ex 15:22-24) wilderness of Sin (Ex 16:1-3) connection w manna (Ex 16:19-20) connection w manna (Ex 16:27-30) Rephidim (Ex 17:1-4) Horeb (Ex 32:1-35, 7) Taberah (Nu 11:1-3) complaint of rabble (Nu 11:4-34) Kadesh-barnea (Nu 14:3). Numbers 14:23 shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. BGT Numbers 14:23 ἦ μὴν οὐκ ὄψονται τὴν γῆν ἣν ὤμοσα τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν ἀλλ᾽ ἢ τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν ἅ ἐστιν μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ ὧδε ὅσοι οὐκ οἴδασιν ἀγαθὸν οὐδὲ κακόν πᾶς νεώτερος ἄπειρος τούτοις δώσω τὴν γῆν πάντες δὲ οἱ παροξύναντές με οὐκ ὄψονται αὐτήν NET Numbers 14:23 they will by no means see the land that I swore to their fathers, nor will any of them who despised me see it. NLT Numbers 14:23 They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. ESV Numbers 14:23 shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. NIV Numbers 14:23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. KJV Numbers 14:23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: YLT Numbers 14:23 they see not the land which I have sworn to their fathers, yea, none of those despising Me see it; LXE Numbers 14:23 surely they shall not see the land, which I sware to their fathers; but their children which are with me here, as many as know not good or evil, every inexperienced youth, to them will I give the land; but none who have provoked me shall see it. ASV Numbers 14:23 surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that despised me see it: CSB Numbers 14:23 will ever see the land I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have despised Me will see it. NKJ Numbers 14:23 "they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. NRS Numbers 14:23 shall see the land that I swore to give to their ancestors; none of those who despised me shall see it. Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE CONSEQUENCES OF ISRAEL'S UNBELIEF shall by no means see the land God is saying that they did not believe the ''good news'' and so they shall never enter His rest!! One enters His rest by faith which is demonstrated by obedience to His clear commands. Obedience per se does not save a person, but it is evidence that the person truly believes (otherwise why would he obey?). NET Note - The word אִם (’im) indicates a negative oath formula: “if” means “they will not.” It is elliptical. In a human oath one would be saying: “The LORD do to me if they see …,” meaning “they will by no means see.” Here God is swearing that they will not see the land. Which I swore to their fathers - This again refers to the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3+, Genesis 15:1-21+) Nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it - This same truth is seen in the NT. For example Jesus declared in Mark 8:38+ “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And again Jesus declared "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." (Mt 10:33+) Spurn (despise, reject, blaspheme) (05006)(naas) means to revile, to scorn, to reject, despise, abhor (hate extremely or with contempt), spurn, treat with contempt, revile. God tells Moses His people "spurn" Him (Nu 14:11) and that those who "spurned" Him would not enter the promised land (Nu 14:23) The rebellion of Korah and those with him in effect "spurned the LORD" (Nu 16:30) by challenging Moses' divinely appointed role as leader (Nu 16:1-3). God prophesied that His people would "spurn" Him by turning to other gods and serving them and thus breaking His (Mosaic) covenant (Dt 31:20). Israel made Jehovah jealous with strange gods, provoking Him to anger (even sacrificing to demons!) and thus Jehovah "spurned them because of the provocation." (Dt 32:19, context Dt 32:16-18) The sons of Eli were worthless men who did not know Jehovah and as a result "despised the offering of the LORD." (1Sa 2:17). Naas is used in the Psalms of a greedy man who "spurns Jehovah" (Ps 10:3), the wicked who "spurned God" (Ps 10:13), "the enemy" who spurned His Name (Ps 74:10), foolish people who "spurned" His Name (Ps 74:18) and His people who "spurned the counsel of the Most High." (Ps 107:11). Israel was disciplined because they "despised the word of the Holy One of Israel" (Isa. 5:24, cp Isa 1:4 "despised the Holy One of Israel"). Numbers 14:24 "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. BGT Numbers 14:24 ὁ δὲ παῖς μου Χαλεβ ὅτι ἐγενήθη πνεῦμα ἕτερον ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐπηκολούθησέν μοι εἰσάξω αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν γῆν εἰς ἣν εἰσῆλθεν ἐκεῖ καὶ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ κληρονομήσει αὐτήν NET Numbers 14:24 Only my servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit and has followed me fully– I will bring him into the land where he had gone, and his descendants will possess it. NLT Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land. ESV Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. NIV Numbers 14:24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. KJV Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. YLT Numbers 14:24 and My servant Caleb, because there hath been another spirit with him, and he is fully after Me -- I have brought him in unto the land whither he hath entered, and his seed doth possess it. LXE Numbers 14:24 But my servant Chaleb, because there was another spirit in him, and he followed me, I will bring him into the land into which he entered, and his seed shall inherit it. ASV Numbers 14:24 but my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. CSB Numbers 14:24 But since My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me completely, I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it. NKJ Numbers 14:24 "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. NRS Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me wholeheartedly, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. my servant: Nu 14:6-9 13:30 26:65 De 1:36 Jos 14:6-14 followed me: Nu 32:11,12 De 6:5 Jos 14:8,9 1Ch 29:9,18 2Ch 25:2 Ps 119:80,145 Pr 23:26 Ac 11:23 Eph 6:6 Col 3:23 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage Nu 13:30+ Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” Joshua 14:8; 9; 14 “Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully..... 14:9 “So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.’... 14:14 Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the LORD God of Israel fully. Numbers 32:11; 12 (NOTE THE STRIKING CONTRAST) ‘None of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob; for they did not follow Me fully, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have followed the LORD fully.’ Deuteronomy 1:35-36 (CONTRAST OF DAVID AND SOLOMON) ‘Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and to his sons I will give the land on which he has set foot, because he has followed the LORD fully.’ 1 Kings 11:6 Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done. (SEE Acts 13:22+) But My servant Caleb - Now God speaks of the one (along with Joshua) who believed His Word of promise regarding the Promised Land. God considers Caleb My servant, where "My" is the personal possessive pronoun. Caleb belongs to God. Who could wish for a better Master? Other servants: Abraham, Job, Joshua, David, Eliakim (Isa 22:20), Zerubbabel (Hag 2:23), Caleb, Moses, Isaiah, Israel (Jacob) (Isa 41:8,9). Servant ((05650) 'ebed from 'abad = work in any sense) This noun appears over 750 times in the Old Testament. and means a slave or bondservant. Slavery in Israel amounted to indentured servitude. A fellow Israelite could not be held indefinitely against his will. In fact, his time of service was limited to 6 yr (Ex 21:2). The master could be punished if evil intent against the slave was proven (Ex 21:14) or if the slave died (Ex 21:20). These types of servants held a position of honor (Ge 24:2ff; 41:12, 15:2). The phrase, the servant of the Lord, is the most outstanding reference to the Messiah in the Old Testament, and its teachings are concentrated at the end of Isaiah (Isa. 42:1, 19; 43:10; 49:3, 5–7; 52:13; 53:11). The “servant” was not a free man. He was subject to the will and command of his master. But one might willingly and lovingly submit to his master (Ex 21:5), remaining in his service when he was not obliged to do so. Hence it is a very fitting description of the relationship of man to God. The Septuagint translates ebed here in Numbers 14:24 not with the Greek word we might have expected (doulos), but pais, which literally means a child, a youth, but in relation to God speaks of men as God's servants (Lk 1:54, 69, Acts 4:25) and is even used of Jesus Christ! (Mt 12:18, Acts 3:13, 26; 4:27, 30). So here in Nu 14:24 pais is used in reference to social position of a servant, slave "boy" (Lk 7.7), as a servant in a ruler's household (Mt 14.2). NIVSB - Caleb may be singled out—even from Joshua—because he took the initiative to encourage the people to possess the land (Nu 13:30). His ultimate vindication came 45 years later (See commentary on Joshua 14:6ff) Because - Term of explanation. In a sense it explains why God considers Caleb a servant, but it is also the explanation (that follows) of what He will reward His servant. He has had a different spirit - Different than who or what? Well, in context, different than the 10 spies, but also different than the two million! Caleb has a "one in a million" spirit. As the context shows, this is a spirit of submission and obedience to the will of the Master. Bush on different spirit - That is, he was actuated by a very different spirit from the rest of the spies. His was a bold, resolute, courageous spirit, while theirs was a base, cowardly, and pusillanimous spirit...The same testimony is doubtless to be understood as applicable to Joshua, though not here named, for the reason probably that he was not classed with the mass of the people, but was a constant attendant upon Moses. He is expressly included in the promise, Nu 32:12. Caleb and Joshua (see Nu 27:18+) had a different spirit, so God preserved their lives until they entered the land. That’s a common dynamic among God’s followers. Those who submit to His processes experience fulfillment of promises; those who complain about the processes don’t. TSK - Caleb had another spirit; not only a bold, generous, courageous, noble, and heroic spirit, but the Spirit and influence of God, which thus raised him above human inquietudes and earthly fears. Therefore he followed God fully; literally, "and he filled after me:" God shewed him the way he was to take and the line of conduct he was to pursue, and he filled up this line, and in all things followed the will of his Maker. Spurgeon: "Be out-and-out for him; unfurl your colours, never hide them, but nail them to the mast, and say to all who ridicule the saints, “If you have any ill words for the followers of Christ, pour them out upon me. . . . but know this – ye shall hear it whether you like it or not, - ‘I love Christ.’” (The Secret of Love to God) And has followed Me fully - What a beautiful description of a human being, that God would say he has followed Me fully. Followed fully is two words in Hebrew (achar male - also in Josh 14:8, 9, 14) but is translated with one word epakoloutheo (from epi = upon or an intensifier + akoloutheo = to follow and figuratively in a moral sense - see below) literally means to follow after, to follow upon or follow closely. To follow close upon. Literally to go along in someone's footsteps. The figurative meaning is to follow or imitate someone's life, living in the same way. Another nuance describes pursuing a matter (with devotion, dedication or attention) (as in 1Ti 5:10). The root verb akoloutheo in the NT refers to being a disciple of Christ, which can include external following (Mt 8:19+, Mk 10:28+) but with the added idea of "a total commitment and in an exclusive relation to one who is recognized as not just a teacher but the Messiah. This discipleship brings participation in salvation (Mk 10:17, Lk 9:61, 62, Jn 8:12, Rev 14:4) but also in suffering (Mt 8:19, 20, Mk 8:34, Jn 12:25, 26)" (TDNTA) One might say that Caleb was like an "Old Testament Disciple" of Jehovah, and as such gives a perfect pattern for the NT disciple of Jesus to imitate. Epakoloutheo is used in 1 Peter 2:21 "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps." May God's Spirit enable us all to follow Christ the way Caleb fully followed Jehovah so that so that He might bring us fully into our spiritual inheritance in Christ all for His glory and fame. Amen Note the contrasting description of those who did not inherit the land "None of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob; for they did not follow Me fully (male) except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have followed the LORD fully (male)." (Nu 32:11+). (See the related passage in Joshua below where fully - male is used THREE TIMES -- clearly male is a key word in the description of Caleb!). Bush on followed Me fully - That is, hath exhibited a full, constant, and complete obedience in this matter; hath neither turned aside, halted, or come short in following or complying with my commands. The same original phrase occurs Deut. 1:3, Josh. 14:8, 9, 14, Fully (04390)(male) means to fill or to be full, to complete, to fulfill, to finish, to satisfy. Male is used of something full in both the spatial and temporal sense. This same word is used in Nu 14:21 "all the earth will be filled (male) with the glory of the LORD." Don't miss the principle that obedience is the path to divine blessing! There are no shortcuts and no bypaths! Caleb's song could have been "Single Heart" or even better "Pure Heart" both sung by Craig Smith... Over and over I hear it again That the Father desires pure heart Not to seek earthly treasure or the favor of man But to be found with pureness of heart Chorus Pure heart is what the Father desires Holy heart purified by God's holy fire Broken heart, proven to be faithful and true Fashion in me a heart that's thirsting for You Search ever chamber, expose them to me Create motives of honor and simplicity May you find faithfulness, integrity A heart which is worthy for Your eyes to see Chorus My only ambition is to stand before You And find I was pleasing in Your sight And obedient child of God, faithful and true Found with pureness of heart Chorus Craig Smith not only wrote and sang "Pure Heart" but wrote the following regarding "Pure Heart" The pure heart is free of mixed motives. It is one emptied of self, and filled with total devotion to the Lord.--Craig Smith In the natural realm, when we speak of the heart, we are referring to the chief physical organ in the human body. Though failure of other human organs can result in death, no other part plays a more important life sustaining role than that of the heart. This is also true in the spiritual realm. Throughout Biblical history, the heart has represented the man himself. The very center of his every emotion and appetite. It is no wonder then, that the Lord requires we love Him with all our heart. A heart wholly devoted to the Lord is a heart which is pure, it has no admixture. It is not divided, polluted, or contaminated by foreign substances. The Psalmist tells us (Ps 51:16,17) God is not pleased with sacrifices and burnt offerings. In fact, He told the Israelites, the very ones He set up the sacrificial system through, that He no longer took pleasure in their burnt offerings, and that the offerings had even become "worthless." (Is 1:11-13) The problem was not in His system, but was instead in the hearts of His people. He knew their hearts, and their hearts were void of the necessary total devotion and love for Him. They were merely going through a heartless motion of meaningless religious ceremony. The result, "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you, yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen." (Is 1:15) He then appeals to them to repent of their sins and by doing so, even though their "sins are a scarlet, they will be washed white as snow..." I cannot help but mention the close parallel in Israel's situation then, with the present situation in our western culture today. According to various polling systems, the majority of people living in the United States have a belief in God. However, for a majority, we do not seem to have a great effect on our society. Could it be that a great many of those polled are just going through "meaningless religious ceremony"? We would all do well to compare our present relationships with Christ with the early churches relationships to Christ. Once again, what pleases the Father is the whole heart devoted to Him. The acceptable sacrifices to the Lord are no longer "burnt offerings" but instead "...a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart..." The word "broken" in these passages refers to a crushing into the form of powder. If you were to take a small stone and toss it into a swift stream of water, the stone would resist the flow and quickly sink to the bottom. However, you could recover the same small stone, pound it into a fine powder, and then pour it from your hand into the stream and even though it is the same mineral substance, it no longer resists the stream's flow, but instead floats wherever the stream carries it. In many ways we are like the small stone. With selfish, unsubmissive hearts, we resist God's flow or direction and find ourselves sinking. However, if we are wise, we will approach the Lord and ask Him to reveal any and hurtful object in our hearts. Reveal anything that divides us from a right relationship with Him and restore us to the joy of our salvation. May our prayers be that He will crush us into submissive, totally devoted hearts. Suddenly we will realize we are flowing with Him and being totally fulfilled by our relationship with Him, instead of living in the strife of resistance. We will never know total fulfillment, until He has from us a total heart, a whole heart, a pure heart.--Craig Smith I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it - Note 2 promises. First Caleb would be brought into the Promised Land. It took 45 years, but God answered (cf Joshua 14:6-15, Joshua 15:13-19. Who are Caleb's "descendents?" Indeed they were his physical descendants but applicationally this is anyone who obeys God believing that what He has promised He will perform no matter what the "odds" may look like. Cp Heb 11:6 for similar truth. THOUGHT - Frances Havergal in the great hymn Like a River Glorious wrote: "They who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly True." Caleb experienced this wonderful blessing and joy and we can too. Lord God give each of us a "different spirit" one that follows You "wholly" so that we too might joyfully find You "wholly true". In Your Name Faithful and True. Amen. Lord You promised that those who diligently seek You will find you (Pr 8:17). Let it be Lord. Amen. In Joshua 14 Caleb now recalls the promise from the Lord 45 years earlier at Kadesh Barnea (Joshua 14:6-13+) Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know the word which the LORD spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea. 7 “I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. 8 “Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully (male). 9 “So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully (male).’ 10 “Now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today. 11 “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. 12 “Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken.” 13 So Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. 14 Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the LORD God of Israel fully (male). Take possession - (Dt 32:47) is yarash which has the legal sense of becoming an heir (Jer 32:8+) and the military sense of invasion for the purpose of settling in the territory. Both meanings are prominent with regard to God’s covenant with Israel. God told Abraham that the land of Canaan would belong to his descendants but, after leaving Egypt, they had to take possession of the Promised Land. Note the juxtaposition of God's sovereignty (''will bring (him) into the land'') and man's responsibility (Caleb ''entered'') When? He entered with 12 spies--the difference being that Caleb entered by faith, taking God at His Word and laying hold of His promises not just with his mouth but by his walk. Spurgeon - Caleb—the man for the times’ Numbers 14:24 I would to God that we had all of us that which is the distinguishing mark of a right spirit, the spirit of faith, that spirit which takes God at his word, reads his promise, and knows it to be true. He that has this spirit will soon follow the Lord fully. Unbelief is the mother of sin, but faith is the nurse of virtue. (2Pe 1:5KJV+) More faith, Lord, may we have more simple childlike faith upon a precious Saviour! (Mk 9:24+, Lk 17:5+) Then a faithful spirit always begets a meek spirit, and a meek spirit always begets a brave spirit. It is said of the wood of the elder tree that none is softer, but yet it is recorded of old that Venice was built upon piles of the elder tree because it will never rot; and so the meek-spirited man who is gentle and patient lasts on bravely, holding his own against all the attacks of the destroying adversary. The true believer has also a loving spirit as the result of Jesus’ grace. He loves God, therefore he loves God’s people and God’s creatures, and having this loving spirit he has next a zealous spirit, and so he spends and is spent for God, and this begets in him a heavenly spirit and so he tries to live in heaven and to make earth a heaven to his fellow-men, believing that he shall soon have a heaven for himself and for them too on the other side of the stream. Such a spirit had good Caleb. We cannot imitate him till we get his spirit; we are dead until God quickens us. O that his Holy Spirit would lead us to go to Jesus just as we are, and look up to Him and beseech Him to fulfil that great covenant promise—‘A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you....I will put My Spirit within you" (Ezek 36:26-27+) Related Resources: Who is Caleb in the Bible? James Hastings on Caleb (from Great Men and Women of the Bible) Richard Mayhue - People of God's Word Let me introduce you to some people in Scripture who exemplified a key element in having a right relationship to God's Word. If you will incorporate each of these examples into your experience, you can lead the normal Christian life. First, Job hungered for and craved God's Word. He prioritized spiritual nourishment higher than the physical. 'I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food' (Job 23:12). Second, Caleb fully obeyed God's Word. He understood the Word as orders from above with the obligation to follow in every detail. 'But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it' (Num. 14:24). Third, the post-captivity Jews honoured God's Word. When the Word was opened, it was as though God entered their presence. They responded with appropriate respect. 'Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, 'Amen, Amen!' while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground' (Neh. 8:5-6). Fourth, Ezra studied God's Word. He viewed Scripture not as a shallow stream to wade in but rather a deep river in which to swim. 'For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel' (Ezra 7:10). Fifth, Apollos understood God's Word. Accuracy became his hallmark. 'Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John' (Acts 18:24-25). Sixth, Paul discipled faithful and able men in the Scriptures. He realized the responsibility to hand the Word on to coming generations. 'The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also' (2 Tim. 2:2) Wholehearted! Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Numbers 14:24 Today's Scripture & Insight: Numbers 13:26–32; 14:20–24 Caleb was a “wholehearted” person. He and Joshua were part of a twelve-man reconnaissance team that explored the Promised Land and gave a report to Moses and the people. Caleb said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Num. 13:30). But ten members of the team said they couldn’t possibly succeed. In spite of God’s promises, they saw only obstacles (vv. 31–33). Ten men caused the people to lose heart and grumble against God, which led to forty years of wandering in the desert. But Caleb never quit. The Lord said, “Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (14:24). Forty-five years later God honored His promise when Caleb, at the age of 85, received the city of Hebron “because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly” (Josh. 14:14). Centuries later an expert in the law asked Jesus, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matt. 22:35–38). Lord, may we love You wholeheartedly today and follow You every day of our journey on this earth. Commitment to Christ is a daily calling. Do You See Giants? My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land. —Numbers 14:24 Today's Scripture: Numbers 13:17-30 The 12 spies who were sent out by Moses scouted the land of Canaan for 40 days. When they returned, all but Joshua and Caleb gave this pessimistic report: “We were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” (Num. 13:33). These faithless ones saw only difficulties and defeat. Yes, the giants were great, but wasn’t their God greater? How could they so easily forget the way God led them through the wilderness? The 10 spies who were filled with doubt died in the wilderness. We know that Joshua led the people into the Promised Land. But what about Caleb? God blessed him and brought him into the land too because he had a different spirit and followed Him wholeheartedly (14:24). Think for a moment of two balloons. One is filled with carbon dioxide and cannot rise. The other balloon is filled with helium and immediately goes up. So too, if our hearts are filled with doubts and fears, we will not be able to rise in faith to do what God wants us to do. Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone, Laughs at impossibilities, And cries, "It shall be done!" —Anon. Fear sees the obstacle; faith sees the opportunity. CALEB My servant Caleb, because he … hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went.—Num. 14:24. CALEB is one of the finest characters in the Bible. He is a stalwart, honest character, a man who obeyed God without question, who never feared to do his duty, and never turned his back on an enemy. His father, Jephunneh, is described as “the Kenezite.” The Kenezites were outside the pale of the chosen people. Thus Caleb was not of Israelitish birth or descent. He was of an alien people. He was one of the first-fruits of the Gentile harvest of which Jethro, Rahab, Ruth, Naaman, and many others were samples and signs. Yet this man, a stranger to Israel by birth, became one of Israel’s most illustrious ornaments. In spirit and service he was “an Israelite indeed.” The son of the Kenezite was a true son of God. I THE WITNESS And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.—Num. 13:30. 1. The year that followed the Exodus was a wonderful one for the children of Israel. It was spent at the foot of Mount Sinai, where measures were taken to organize them into a theocratic commonwealth. It was here that they received the Decalogue. It was here that Moses, as God’s viceroy, gathered about him the princes and the forty elders, the former of whom constituted the Upper and the latter the Lower House of Parliament. And it was here that an army of able-bodied men was mustered and mobilized under Joshua as commander-in-chief. Thus, in twelve months, the people who had escaped from Egypt a mere rabble of slaves were transformed into a well-organized and formidable nation. And now at length they stood facing the land towards which all hearts were yearning. The time was ripe. Everything hinged upon a concerted movement to take possession. But the people must deliberately choose. Moses could lead them only with their will. Accordingly, a committee was representatively appointed, one member from each tribe, through whose eyes the people might see the land and upon the basis of whose report they might act. 2. The men did their work thoroughly, traversing the valleys and climbing the hills, viewing the oliveyards and vineyards, and skirting the slopes of Hebron where the Anakim dwelt. After forty days’ search they returned, bringing with them a branch with one cluster of grapes, and also a specimen of the pomegranates and the figs. On the whole, their report was very gloomy. They had, of course, some good things to say about the productiveness of the land, but they gave a very alarming account of the people: “The people be strong that dwell in the land.” “All the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature;.… we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” ¶ Thou camest to spy out the land of promise; go not back without one cluster of grapes to show thy brethren for their encouragement. Let them see that thou hast tasted of the wine, by the gladness of thy heart; and that thou hast been anointed with the oil, by the cheerfulness of thy countenance; and hast fed of the milk and honey, by the mildness of thy disposition, and the sweetness of thy conversation. This heavenly fire would melt thy frozen heart, and refine and spiritualize it, but it must have time to operate. Thus pursue the work till something be done, till thy grace be in exercise, thy affections raised, and thy soul refreshed with thy delights above. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. 3. The children of Israel, who had counted on an easy victory, gave way to a cowardly despair, even before the report was brought to its conclusion. They heard the words, “The people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great,” and there was an immediate outburst of panic and confusion. Caleb, and at this point in the history he alone, “stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” His associates in the exploration, however, repeated their discouraging reports. The whole work of the Exodus and of Sinai seemed on the point of being frustrated: First, there was the despairing wish, “Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Would God, we had died in this wilderness!” Then there was the natural result of that backward look, “Were it not better for us to return into Egypt?” Then the thought passed into a deliberate purpose, “Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” And then the two who had not yielded to the first impulse of fear—Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun—stood forward against the madness of the people. They “rent their clothes” in passionate protest against the rebellious cowardice of the people. They testified once more that the land to which they had been sent was an exceedingly good land; that the Lord Jehovah was able to bring them into it, and give it them; that the people of the land would be as “bread” for them to devour. They ended with the watchword of all true hero-souls, “The Lord is with us: fear them not.” The others had measured themselves against the trained soldiers and giants, and were in despair. These two measured Amalekites and Anakim against God, and were jubilant. They do not dispute the facts, but they reverse the implied conclusion, because they add the governing fact of God’s help. ¶ Once Frederick the Great wrote to one of his generals, “I send you against the enemy with 60,000 men.” But, when the troops were numbered, it was found that there were only 50,000; and the officer was surprised and displeased. “There is no mistake,” Frederick replied, “I counted you for 10,000 men.” But who will say for how many God counts? 4 Caleb and Joshua saw two things. First, they saw and put prominently forward the greatness of the opportunity; and they saw also that behind the land’s strength there was a real weakness. It may have been that they detected the moral rottenness of the people among whom they had gone. But, whether or not, there was certainly in them the conviction that God was with Israel to carry through the purpose which He had begun—that astonishing conviction, one of the greatest of the world’s miracles, which went with Israel through its history, and which still binds into unity for us the whole of the Old Testament. With that conviction burning in them they gave their voice for the forward policy. But the heart had gone out of the people. They feared and trembled and refused to advance. It was in vain that Caleb pointed to the grapes he had gathered at Eshcol; it was in vain he tried to tempt his countrymen. There were even some who would have slain Caleb for his earnest exhortations. “Stone him! Stone him!” they cried; and there is no telling what would have happened, but for the fact that just then the cloud appeared above the tabernacle of the congregation to signify that God would speak with the people. And through Moses He delivered this message: “How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me?… Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my signs, which I wrought in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted me these ten times and have not hearkened to my voice; surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that despised me see it: but my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” ¶ If Mistrust and Timorous had been prepared to face the dangers of the way, they, like Christian, would have reached the Celestial City. “Now when he was got up to the top of the Hill, there came two men running to meet him amain; the name of the one was Timorous, and the other Mistrust. To whom Christian said, Sirs, what’s the matter you run the wrong way? Timorous answered, That they were going to the City of Zion, and had got up that difficult place; but said he, the further we go, the more danger we meet with, wherefore we turned, and are going back again. Yes, said Mistrust, for just before us lies a couple of Lyons in the way, (whether sleeping or waking we know not) and we could not think, if we came within reach but they would presently pull us in pieces. Chr. Then said Christian, Yon make me afraid, but whither shall I fly to be safe? If I go back to mine own Countrey, That is prepared for Fire and Brimstone, and I shall certainly perish there. If I can get to the Celestial City, I am sure to be in safety there, I must venture; To go back is nothing but death, to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward. So Mistrust and Timorous ran down the Hill; and Christian went on his way.” 5. Caleb was an optimist. He dreamed dreams and saw visions. No wonder he possessed such a spirit, for he “wholly followed the Lord his God.” This is a striking expression. In the Hebrew it is a pictorial word, and describes a ship going out at full sail. This was the reason of his optimism: he flung every power of body and soul and spirit like a free sheet to the winds of God’s grace and God’s Spirit and God’s providence. He went in whole-heartedly for God and His cause, unhampered by any spirit of limitation. Caleb had something of Moses in him. He had an eye for the future. He was capable of Pisgah glimpses. His was one of those lives which seem always to be pitched upon a hill; he could see things afar off. He is the real hero of this enterprise; he has made the work of exploration his own. Joshua is the actual conqueror of Canaan; Caleb is the man who predicted the advantage of possessing it. But Caleb’s confidence that “we are well able to overcome” was more than natural optimism; it was religious trust, as is plain from God’s eulogium on him in Num. 14:24. ¶ We may compare Caleb, to use the metaphor of good old Gotthold, to a tree. The wind had been blowing—it was a dreadful hurricane, and Gotthold walked into a forest and saw many trees torn up by the roots; he marvelled much at one tree which stood alone and yet had been unmoved in the tempest. He said, “How is this? The trees that were together have fallen, and this alone stands fast!” He observed that when the trees grow too closely they cannot send their roots into the earth; they lean too much upon each other; but this tree, standing alone, had space to thrust its roots into the earth, and lay hold on the rock and stones; and so when the wind came it fell not. It was so with Caleb—he always would lay hold upon his God, not upon men; and so when the wind came he stood. ¶ The Rev. F. B. Meyer, in course of an appreciation of the life and work of Dr. Paton, wrote: An invincible optimist! For him, no good cause can ever be a lost cause. I question if he has ever been permanently disappointed, or ever absolutely failed. “Impossible” and “impracticable” are words for which he has no use; and though they have probably been hurled often enough at his schemes, when first announced, they have been found to be inappropriate and untrue. A visionary, whose visions have been realized; a dreamer, whose dreams have clothed themselves in fact! At an age when ninety-nine men out of a hundred leave the conduct of affairs to others, he is in the forefront and thick of the fight; and the rest of us gladly recognize that he is in his right place, and that years have not diminished but enhanced his competence to lead in all that makes for the betterment of the people. His optimism and enthusiasm are so contagious that statesmen, bishops, deans, ministers of every religious body, philanthropists, and shrewd business men are swept into his orbit and become inspired by his aims. His motives are absolutely selfless; his soul is simple and pure as a child’s; and the strength of his personality is fairly irresistible. When he begins to weave his web around you to secure your interest and co-operation, you may as well yield at once to his genial persuasiveness, for you will have to do so sooner or later. In fact, you would feel it mean to leave a load on those broad and burdened shoulders which you could lighten or remove. ¶ Florence Nightingale did many things herself, but she was also the inspirer and instigator of more things which were done by others. She was able of her own initiative to institute considerable reforms; but she was a reformer on a larger scale through the influence which she exercised. Though she was in truth no magician, there were men on the spot who, not being able to understand the secret and sources of her power, seemed to find something uncanny in it. Our good friend, Colonel Sterling, who hated the intrusion of petticoats into a campaign, was very much puzzled. The thing seemed to him “ludicrous,” as we have heard, but he had to admit that “Miss Nightingale queens it with absolute power”; and elsewhere he speaks of “the Nightingale power” as something mysterious and “fabulous.” The secret, however, is simple. “The Nightingale power” was due to causes of which some were inherent in herself and others were adventitious. The inherent strength of her influence lay in the masterful will and practical good sense which gave her dominion over the minds of men. The adventitious sources of her power were that she had both the ear and the confidence of Ministers, and the interest and sympathy of the Court. I have called this accession of influence “adventitious,” but it also accrued to her, in a secondary degree, from the inherent force of her character. II THE REWARD Now therefore give me this mountain.—Josh. 14:12. 1. Now followed a period of thirty-eight years in which the children of Israel wandered to and fro, entangled in the wilderness. The life of Caleb, during those weary years, is recorded in the single sentence, “He wholly followed the Lord.” In other words, he was doing his duty and biding his time. Not for a moment did he lose his confidence in the promise of God. Nor was he discontented or over-eager for action. He who “wholly follows the Lord,” knows how to labour and to wait. So Caleb kept his soul in patience. He acquiesced in the postponement of his own heaven. He concealed his aspiration. He hid his contempt for the sordid throng. He gave no hint that he was above their business. He joined them on their own level, in their own work. He took up his brothers’ cares—cares about inferior things. He put his hand to the duties of the desert when his heart was up in Canaan. He saw the people dropping out, one by one, until the entire generation that had come out of Egypt lay in graves along the way. He saw Moses climb to his lonely sepulchre, and heard his last farewell: “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” And still the faith of Caleb failed not. 2. Then came the crossing of the Jordan, the taking of Jericho, the driving out of the native tribes and the distribution of the land. The deadly plague which befell the ten, and the nearly forty years’ wandering which befell the people, the preservation of the lives of Caleb and Joshua only of all the nation above twenty years of age who came out of Egypt, followed by the ultimate conquest of the land, had been a sufficient vindication of the faithfulness of God and the truthfulness of Caleb and Joshua. Now, however, that the land was to be distributed among the conquerors, and there were still a few unconquered, although greatly weakened, districts—and notably the main stronghold of the Anakim of the south, within whose walls the last chief of the tribe held out against the conquerors—Caleb went to Joshua, his old comrade, repeated the story of forty years before, referred to the promise of Moses that he should possess this stronghold, and pleaded that the privilege might be given him to take it. His case was a very strong one, his record good and fair. He had been frank when truth was unpopular and hard to speak, and loyal when defection was widespread; he had experienced Providential help and deliverances; he had retained the capacity, and won the moral right, to essay the capture of Hebron; he was an efficient man, but he was in absolute dependence on the sufficiency of God. His estate that was to be was still occupied by the enemy. He was not about to enter upon a peaceful occupation; it was a conquest that lay before him. The Lord had preserved his life during these forty years—preserved it, as he believes, that he might be permitted to conquer the sons of Anak. 3. It makes the blood run fast in a man’s veins to read the courageous words of the grim old soldier. He stands there before Joshua and says: “I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, and to go out and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakim were there, and cities great and fenced: it may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as the Lord spake.” There is nothing in the Bible more wonderful in its way than Caleb’s testimony at eighty-five years of age. Nor was this a mere boast. The old man was not self-deluded in the matter of his strength. He was ready for war, ready to storm the stronghold of Hebron. Jubilant in prospect of driving out the Anakim, Caleb had youth’s strength and valour and optimism in extreme old age. ¶ One day when Signor had ended a delightful talk with Sir William Richmond, as this sympathetic friend was leaving the studio he said to me that he found Signor’s interests and range of thought wider even than they were. “Well, to grow still at seventy-eight is youth,” he added. Sir James Knowles spoke in much the same terms, and gave me his interpretation of the saying, “Whom the Gods love die young”; which was, that in mind they never grew old. Of this Sir James Knowles wrote to me later: “I am so glad you like my interpretation of that old proverb. This is how I put it down:— ‘Whom the Gods love die young,’ the proverb told; The meaning is they never can grow old However long their list of labours past; God-given youth is with them to the last. You have the proof of this before your eyes every day, and long may it be so! I send him my best regards.” Once, speaking of his own feeling, Signor told me the only difference he found in himself as he grew older was this—“I am interested in more things, and I feel younger instead of older. I know I am quite as eager, quite as much striving for improvement in my work, as I was at the beginning of life.” Therefore I summon age To grant youth’s heritage, Life’s struggle having so far reached its term: Thence shall I pass, approved A man, for aye removed From the developed brute; a god though in the germ. And I shall thereupon Take rest, ere I be gone Once more on my adventure brave and new: Fearless and unperplexed When I wage battle next, What weapons to select, what armour to indue. 4. There is something very noble in Caleb’s conception of a possession worth the having as that which involves toil and heroism on our part. God’s best gifts are after all given on these conditions. It is “to him that overcometh” that the choicest blessings of the Apocalypse are given. The inheritance of the saints in light, like that of Caleb, is to be the inheritance of the conqueror. Caleb had caught this essential aspect of a noble life. The reward of the man who has done well is that he shall do more. The fire had been smouldering in the heart of this man for forty-five years; and now in sight of the mountain it flamed up. All that time he had been waiting for an opportunity to have at the giants; and now that the hour had come, he proved himself no idle boaster. He drove the giants from one town to another, and finally they seem to have made their last stand in a strong town called Kirjath-sepher. In his eagerness to gain this town he offered the hand of his daughter Achsah to any warrior who should obtain possession of it, and the prize was claimed by Othniel. It was followed, in the striking story, which breathes in every word the spirit of a remote antiquity, by the grant with it of the “upper and the nether springs,” that the city might not be, in any sense of the word, a barren and unfruitful heritage. Of all the Israelites who received their inheritance in the Land of Promise, Caleb appears to have been the only one who succeeded in entirely expelling the native occupiers of the country. The Israelites generally seem to have made but poor headway against their strong and mighty foes, with their chariots of iron and fenced walls. Repeatedly we encounter the sorrowful affirmation that they were not able to drive them out. But Caleb was a notable exception. What though Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim (Josh. 14:15), what though his three grandsons, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the sons of Anak, were prepared to yield their lives rather than give up possession (15:14), Caleb drove them out—not he indeed, but the Lord, who was with him, and gave him a victory that must have otherwise eluded even his strong hands. The man who “wholly followed the Lord” was alone wholly victorious. ¶ Nowhere is thoroughness more needed than in religious work, nowhere is slackness more prevalent. There are Christians who serve Christ as diligently and faithfully as they do their earthly work, and they shall not miss their reward; but many of Christ’s servants would not be tolerated for a week by any other master. The poorest joint-stock company in the land is better served by its directors than many congregations are by their office-bearers. There are no teachers anywhere so ignorant and so casual as certain Sunday-school teachers; there is no clerk in a dry-goods store dare treat his duty as lightly as some of the voluntary officers of the Christian Church. They will absent themselves without leave and without excuse; they will never inquire how their work is being done or whether it is done at all; they will not take the trouble to prepare themselves to do it, and they are not concerned when it fails in their hands. They will place their pleasure and their fancies, and their social engagements, and their imaginary ailments before their Christian duty. And it would be difficult to say how little must be the burden, how short must be the time, that they would be willing to count an obligation upon them and would be prepared to face. One is sometimes inclined to propose a general resignation of the Christian staff, and then an invitation to all who are prepared to do Christ’s work as well as the work of the world is done, and it might be that three hundred thoroughgoing men like the Band of Gideon would do more for Christ than ten times the number of irresponsible casuals. 5. How much longer Caleb lived after he claimed Hebron for his inheritance we do not know; but the language he uttered in his eighty-fifth year is very remarkable. What a sublime retrospect! He can look back on the voyage of his life and say, “I wholly followed the Lord.” Such a retrospect can be won only by years of fighting the good fight. The people also acknowledged his faithful service. “Joshua blessed him,” we read of Caleb in his mellow old age (Josh. 14:13). Joshua prayed for the aged hero and saint. Joshua sought God’s anointing for the venerable soldier of Israel. Caleb reaped a harvest of sympathetic prayer. Joshua not only prayed for Caleb but commended him in the sight of Israel. He held him up to honour. He enthroned the brave veteran on the approbation of the people. So the man of complete devotion to God received honour of man. ¶ In February 1889, when he reached his seventieth birthday, Lowell was entertained to dinner by his friends in Boston. Describing the event in a letter to the wife of his English friend Leslie Stephen, Lowell says: “I was dined on my birthday, and praised to a degree that would have satisfied you, most partial even of your sex. But somehow I liked it, and indeed none but a pig could have helped liking the affectionate way it was done. I suppose it is a sign of weakness in me somewhere, but I can’t help it. I do like to be liked. It gives me a far better excuse for being about (and in everybody’s way) than having written a fine poem does. That’ll be all very well when one is under the mould. But I am not sure whether one will care for it much. So keep on liking me, won’t you?” ¶ 19th Feb. 1826.—J(ames) B(allantine) came and sat an hour. I led him to talk of Woodstock; and, to say truth, his approbation did me much good. I am aware it may—nay, must—be partial; yet is he Tom Telltruth, and totally unable to disguise his real feelings. I think I make no habit of feeding on praise, and despise those whom I see greedy for it, as much as I should an under-bred fellow, who, after eating a cherry-tart, proceeded to lick the plate. But when one is flagging, a little praise (if it can be had genuine and unadulterated by flattery, which is as difficult to come by as the genuine mountain-dew) is a cordial after all. 13th May 1826.—I think very lightly in general of praise; it costs men nothing, and is usually only lip-salve. They wish to please, and must suppose that flattery is the ready road to the good will of every professor of literature. Some praise, however, and from some people, does at once delight and strengthen the mind, and I insert in this place the quotation with which Lord Chief Baron Shepherd concluded a letter concerning me to the Chief Commissioner (Adam): “Magna etiam ilia laus et admirabilis videri solet tulisse casus sapienter adversos, non fractum esse fortunâ, retinuisse in rebus asperis dignitatem.” I record these words, not as meriting the high praise they imply, but to remind me that such an opinion being partially entertained of me by a man of character so eminent, it becomes me to make my conduct approach as much as possible to the standard at which he rates it. P G Matthew - In Numbers 13 and 14 we are introduced to two behaviors of the Israelite majority: paralysis and convulsion. We see spiritual paralysis when they failed to trust in God and refused to go up and take possession of the Promised Land. Spiritual convulsion followed God’s subsequent prohibition and resulted in defeat. Both behaviors are the result of unbelief. In the end, most of the Israelites died in their sins. Two men, however, shine as stars in the midst of this crooked generation—Joshua and Caleb. Unlike the others, they did cross the Jordan to enjoy a land flowing with milk and honey. We are told four times in the Bible that they “followed the Lord wholeheartedly.” What does this commendation mean? First, they exercised saving faith in the covenant-keeping, Redeemer Lord who had brought them out of Egypt and had promised to bring them into Canaan. This faith necessarily issued in complete obedience, the very opposite of paralysis and convulsion. Obedience is ridiculed in today’s society, yet it alone receives God’s commendation. We tend to look upon one hundred percent obedience as an unattainable ideal. But God says that it is his unchangeable requirement. Mature faith also bears the good fruit of hope and confidence in God and his promises. The majority report emphasized the size of the Anakites and concluded with the counsel of despair. Joshua and Caleb, however, encouraged the people: “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Num. 13:30). They looked to the Lord while the others looked around. A child of God is eager to solve problems, while the unbelieving and the timid retreat from problems. Joshua and Caleb went on to cross the Jordan, fight their enemies, and triumph. They and their families each inherited a portion of the Promised Land. Caleb’s daughter married a proven man of God who had a lively faith. At the end of his life, Joshua could say, “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” The choice is clear. We can die in our unbelief and disobedience, or we can choose to follow the Lord wholeheartedly and enjoy covenant life and blessings. May God help us to choose life! Numbers 14:25 "Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea." BGT Numbers 14:25 ὁ δὲ Αμαληκ καὶ ὁ Χαναναῖος κατοικοῦσιν ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι αὔριον ἐπιστράφητε ὑμεῖς καὶ ἀπάρατε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ὁδὸν θάλασσαν ἐρυθράν NET Numbers 14:25 (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites were living in the valleys.) Tomorrow, turn and journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea." NLT Numbers 14:25 Now turn around, and don't go on toward the land where the Amalekites and Canaanites live. Tomorrow you must set out for the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea. " ESV Numbers 14:25 Now, since the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valleys, turn tomorrow and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea." NIV Numbers 14:25 Since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea." KJV Numbers 14:25 (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea. YLT Numbers 14:25 'And the Amalekite and the Canaanite are dwelling in the valley; to-morrow turn ye and journey for yourselves into the wilderness -- the way of the Red Sea.' LXE Numbers 14:25 But Amalec and the Chananite dwell in the valley: to-morrow turn and depart for the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea. ASV Numbers 14:25 Now the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the valley: to-morrow turn ye, and get you into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea. CSB Numbers 14:25 Since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the lowlands, turn back tomorrow and head for the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea." NKJ Numbers 14:25 "Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valley; tomorrow turn and move out into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea." NRS Numbers 14:25 Now, since the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys, turn tomorrow and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea." the Amalekites: Nu 13:29 turn: Nu 14:4 De 1:40 Ps 81:11-13 Pr 1:31 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys - These were peoples Israel feared (and we will soon see their fear was justified!). turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea - NLT - "Tomorrow you must set out for the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea. " NET Note - The judgment on Israel is that they turn back to the desert and not attack the tribes in the land. So a parenthetical clause is inserted to state who was living there. They would surely block the entrance to the land from the south—unless God removed them. And he is not going to do that for Israel. FSB - by way of the Red Sea - Probably refers to the Gulf of Aqaba (see Exod 10:19; 13:18 and note). Since the Israelites are afraid to go forward, they are commanded to go backward, toward the very sea that they crossed on the way out of bondage (Exod 14–15). Related Resource: Who were the Amalekites? | GotQuestions.org Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask - NUMBERS 14:25—Did the Amalekites live in the mountain or in the valley? PROBLEM: This verse says the Amalekites and Canaanites “dwell in the valley.” But verse 45 says the opposite, namely, they “dwelt in that mountain.” SOLUTION: There are two possibilities. One is that these two verses may be referring to different groups. Some of them may have lived in the mountain and some in the valley. Or, it may have reference to the same people who lived in a valley or plateau which was also a mountain relative to the lower area around it from which they “came down” to fight (v. 45). Numbers 14:26 The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, Numbers 14:26-35 So Near And Yet So Far Back in Canada’s early days, pioneers were taking shelter in Fort Babine. When supplies were nearly exhausted, Victor Clark and a young guide left the fort and walked to the town of Hazelton to get food. On their way back to the fort, snow began to fall. Soon the two travelers were chilled to the bone by a stinging wind and were unable to follow the trail in the darkness. Forced to stop, they built a fire and spent a miserable night. Then as light slowly dawned, they saw the fort with its warmth and comfort—only a few hundred yards away from where they had stopped. So near and yet so far! The Israelites were at the very border of the Promised Land (Numbers 13). Caleb and Joshua, the two courageous spies, had brought back the lush foods of Canaan and encouraged the people to take possession of the land (vv.26,30). But the people doubted and condemned themselves to 40 years of wandering and death in the desert (14:28-30). They too were so near and yet so far away! A Prayer Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that You died and took my punishment. I trust You as my Savior and Lord. Now is the time to choose the Lord—later may never come. Numbers 14:27 "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. BGT Numbers 14:27 ἕως τίνος τὴν συναγωγὴν τὴν πονηρὰν ταύτην ἃ αὐτοὶ γογγύζουσιν ἐναντίον ἐμοῦ τὴν γόγγυσιν τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἣν ἐγόγγυσαν περὶ ὑμῶν ἀκήκοα NET Numbers 14:27 "How long must I bear with this evil congregation that murmurs against me? I have heard the complaints of the Israelites that they murmured against me. NLT Numbers 14:27 "How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. ESV Numbers 14:27 "How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. NIV Numbers 14:27 "How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. KJV Numbers 14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. YLT Numbers 14:27 'Until when hath this evil company that which they are murmuring against Me? the murmurings of the sons of Israel, which they are murmuring against Me, I have heard; LXE Numbers 14:27 How long shall I endure this wicked congregation? I have heard their murmurings against me, even the murmuring of the children of Israel, which they have murmured concerning you. ASV Numbers 14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. CSB Numbers 14:27 "How long must I endure this evil community that keeps complaining about Me? I have heard the Israelites' complaints that they make against Me. NKJ Numbers 14:27 "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. NRS Numbers 14:27 How long shall this wicked congregation complain against me? I have heard the complaints of the Israelites, which they complain against me. How long: Nu 14:11 Ex 16:28 Mt 17:7 Mk 9:19 I have heard: Ex 16:12 1Co 10:10 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? - Grumbling seems to have been Israel modus operandi. Notice here Jehovah clearly states the grumbling ever to His leaders like Moses was ultimately against Him. Bush adds "So also in the ensuing clause the idea is that of a murmuring which is first entertained by one party and thence communicated and propagated to others (ED: In the Lxx gogguzo is in the present tense speaking of continual murmuring). . It implies the spreading of a disaffection like the widening of the waves on the surface of a lake." Grumbling (murmur)(03885)(lun) is a word that has two meaning that are very different. In Exodus 17:3 the meaning is clearly grumble or murmur. See note below on gogguzo also used here in the Septuagint. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me - These complaints have been going on since they were redeemed from Egypt. Complaints (grumblings) (08519)(telunah from lun = to murmur) describe speech used of Israel's murmurings against the Lord (or His representatives) and as such represent an overt act rebellion, disbelief, and disobedience to duly constituted authority. Stated another way grumblings are rebellious expressions of complaint and dissatisfaction especially against Yahweh! They complained about having no food, so the Lord rained manna and quail from the sky (Exo. 16:3-15). The congregation also complained about the report of the spies who visited the Promised Land and expressed fear of the inhabitants. The Lord afflicted them with a plague and sent them back to Sinai for forty years (Num. 14). The Israelites grumbled against the authority of Moses and Aaron (cf. Ex 16:41-17:10). Telunah is translated in the Septuagint with gogguzo which describes making an utterance made in a low tone and can be a direct assault or "behind the scenes talk." It means to murmur, mutter, make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath. Gogguzo is an onomatopoeic word derived from the sound made when murmuring or muttering in a low and indistinct voice with the idea of complaint. In short this word gives us a vivid picture to help us imagine this scene of Israelites making audible expressions of their dissatisfaction with Jehovah! NET NOTE - It is worth mentioning in passing that this is one of the Rabbinic proof texts for having at least ten men to form a congregation and have prayer. If God called ten men (the bad spies) a “congregation,” then a congregation must have ten men. But here the word “community/congregation” refers in this context to the people of Israel as a whole, not just to the ten spies. Numbers 14:28 "Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; BGT Numbers 14:28 εἰπὸν αὐτοῖς ζῶ ἐγώ λέγει κύριος ἦ μὴν ὃν τρόπον λελαλήκατε εἰς τὰ ὦτά μου οὕτως ποιήσω ὑμῖν NET Numbers 14:28 Say to them, 'As I live, says the LORD, I will surely do to you just what you have spoken in my hearing. NLT Numbers 14:28 Now tell them this: 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. ESV Numbers 14:28 Say to them, 'As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: NIV Numbers 14:28 So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: KJV Numbers 14:28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: YLT Numbers 14:28 say unto them, I live -- an affirmation of Jehovah -- if, as ye have spoken in Mine ears -- so I do not to you; LXE Numbers 14:28 Say to them, As I live, saith the Lord: surely as ye spoke into my ears, so will I do to you. ASV Numbers 14:28 Say unto them, As I live, saith Jehovah, surely as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: CSB Numbers 14:28 Tell them: As surely as I live," this is the LORD's declaration, "I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. NKJ Numbers 14:28 "Say to them,`As I live,' says the LORD,`just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: NRS Numbers 14:28 Say to them, "As I live," says the LORD, "I will do to you the very things I heard you say: As: Nu 14:21,23 26:64,65 32:11 De 1:35 Ps 90:8,9 Heb 3:17 as you have: Nu 14:2 Numbers 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A DIVINE "BOOMERANG" The people of Israel brought upon themselves their punishment when they declared that they would rather die in the wilderness Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD - This is the same oath that God swore in Nu 14:21. It is an oath He swore by himself. “As the LORD lives,” or “by the life of the LORD,” are ways to render it. As Bush points out "It is here that the Lord swears in his anger that they shall not enter into his rest. Comp. Psalms 95:11 “Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest.” Spurgeon comments - There can be no rest to an unbelieving heart. If manna and miracles could not satisfy Israel, neither would they have been content with the land which flowed with milk and honey. Canaan was to be the typical resting place of God, where his ark should abide, and the ordinances of religion should be established; the Lord had for forty years borne with the ill manners of the generation which came out of Egypt, and it was but right that he should resolve to have no more of them. Was it not enough that they had revolted all along that marvelous wilderness march? Should they be allowed to make new Massahs and Meribahs in the Promised Land itself? Jehovah would not have it so. He not only said but swore that into his rest they should not come, and that oath excluded every one of them; their carcases fell in the wilderness. Solemn warning this to all who leave the way of faith for paths of petulant murmuring and mistrust. The rebels of old could not enter in because of unbelief, "let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should even seem to come short of it." (Hebrews 4:1+) One blessed inference from this psalm must not be forgotten. It is clear that there is a rest of God, and that some must enter into it: but "they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief, there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." The unbelievers could not enter, but "we which have believed do enter into rest." Let us enjoy it, and praise the Lord for it for ever. Ours is the true Sabbatical rest, it is ours to rest from our own works as God did from His. While we do so, let us "come into his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms." (Ps 95:2) Hebrews 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? Numbers 32:10; 11 “So the LORD’S anger burned in that day, and He swore, saying, (11) ‘None of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob; for they did not follow Me fully, just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you - NLT = " I will do to you the very things I heard you say." What did they say? In Nu 14:2 they had foolishly declared "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!" In God's ears these functioned as their "prayers," and now He will fulfill their desire to die in this wilderness! As the NET Note puts it "They had expressed the longing to have died in the wilderness, and not in war. God will now give them that. They would not say to God “your will be done,” so he says to them, “your will be done” (to borrow from C. S. Lewis)." Bush on just as you have spoken - The Lord is here pleased to take them at their word; their wish was that “they might die in the wilderness,” . Nu 14:2+. Here their own imprecation comes upon them, as it did upon their descendants afterwards when they wished that Christ’s blood might be upon their own and their children’s heads, Mt. 27:25. Numbers 14:29 your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. BGT Numbers 14:29 ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ταύτῃ πεσεῖται τὰ κῶλα ὑμῶν καὶ πᾶσα ἡ ἐπισκοπὴ ὑμῶν καὶ οἱ κατηριθμημένοι ὑμῶν ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω ὅσοι ἐγόγγυσαν ἐπ᾽ ἐμοί NET Numbers 14:29 Your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness– all those of you who were numbered, according to your full number, from twenty years old and upward, who have murmured against me. NLT Numbers 14:29 You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. ESV Numbers 14:29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, NIV Numbers 14:29 In this desert your bodies will fall--every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. KJV Numbers 14:29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, YLT Numbers 14:29 in this wilderness do your carcases fall, even all your numbered ones, to all your number, from a son of twenty years and upward, who have murmured against Me; LXE Numbers 14:29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all those of you that were reviewed, and those of you that were numbered from twenty years old and upward, all that murmured against me, ASV Numbers 14:29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, that have murmured against me, CSB Numbers 14:29 Your corpses will fall in this wilderness-- all of you who were registered in the census, the entire number of you 20 years old or more-- because you have complained about Me. NKJ Numbers 14:29 `The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. NRS Numbers 14:29 your dead bodies shall fall in this very wilderness; and of all your number, included in the census, from twenty years old and upward, who have complained against me, corpses: Nu 14:32,33 1Co 10:5 Heb 3:17 Jude 1:5 all: Nu 1:45 Nu 26:64 A DESERT DEATH DECREE your corpses will fall in this wilderness - KJV says "Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness." NLT has "You will all drop dead in this wilderness!" This is a key phrase or thought in this last section of Numbers 14 for this judgment is issued three times (Nu 14:29, Nu 14:32, Nu 14:33). The irony is that Israel had feared falling dead at the hands of their enemies, but now will fall dead at the hand of God, Who in a sense is now their "Enemy," for they have repeatedly spurned and rejected His kindnesses and covenant promises. Even all your numbered men (ESV = listed in the census), according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward - This refers back to the list in Numbers 1:45+ (cf Nu 1:3) "So all the numbered men of the sons of Israel by their fathers’ households, from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war in Israel." Since they spurned God and refused to go to war, they would go to the grave in the wilderness! who have grumbled against Me - Notice the clear implication of this qualifying statement. All except for 2 (Caleb, Joshua) would die, because they ALL grumbled against Jehovah.