ADULT STS LESSON 96 THE SPIES REPORT AND ISRAEL’S REBELLION
MEMORY VERSE: “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not (Numbers 14:9).
TEXT: Numbers 13:1-33; 14:1-45
God commanded Moses to send twelve Israelites, head of the tribes, to spy the land of Canaan before their entry and possession of it. This expedition was aimed at encouraging and stimulating the people’s faith on the reality and prospect of Canaan. Well-intentioned, this was a divine strategy employed to usher in the Israelites into their promised possession of the land flowing with milk and honey, which the Scripture calls the “glory of all lands” (Ezekiel 20:6). God is holy; and He has good purposes for giving us instructions and strategies (Jeremiah 29:11). His instructions, guidance or rebuke, when accepted, are to make us continue to discover His faithfulness, omnipotence and other attributes from time to time in different situations. He does not ask us to do anything that will result in our downfall. It is unfortunate, however, that God’s good purposes do not always yield the expected results as we would see in the outcome of this divine assignment in this lesson.
- SELECTION OF THE TWELVE SPIES WITH A SOLEMN CCHARGE
Numbers 13:1-24, 21:32; Deuteronomy l:19-25: Numbers 32:8-13: Galatians 2:4,5; 2 Kings 4:23-26: Matthew 10:6-11; Acts 26:16-20
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them” (Numbers 13:1,2). Those who were chosen for this service were rulers among them and “heads of the children of Israel” (Numbers 13:2,3). From each tribe, one person was taken. There was good intention in selecting such caliber of people for this important and sensitive assignment. It was intended to give the best result and in accordance with biblical pattern of choosing leaders, such as missionaries, pastors and representatives to take up responsibilities (1 Timothy 3:6). The terms of reference, scope of work or mission statement for the spies were clearly defined. They were sent into the land of Canaan to “see the land, what it is”; that is, to ascertain its present state. Their assignment fell into two main areas of survey: one, to enquire concerning the land itself, whether it is good or bad; and to enquire about the inhabitants population, stature, strength and their mode of dwelling. Their mission was a fact-finding one. That faith does not necessarily depend on facts does not imply that there are no facts to back up or prove faith. There are innumerable facts and evidences to substantiate our faith. Faith is verifiable. The onus is on doubters and sceptics to come, “taste and see that the LORD is good…” (Psalm 34:8). Moses gave a parting charge to the spies to “…be of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land” (Numbers 13:20). This charge shows that he expected always to walk by faith and not by sight and to put a positive construction on the most gloomy situations and experiences of life. Mountains are to be seen as miracle opportunities, stumbling blocks as stepping stones, trials as testimony indicators and every cross as a crown in disguise. This is the spirit that conquers always. Ours is a charge to win souls of men in every land (2 Timothy 4:1,2). This was not the first time spies were sent out in the Scriptures. Moses, Joshua and David used spies as means of investigation (Numbers 13:1-33; 21:32;Joshua 2:1: 1 Samuel 26:4). The spies went forth with great zeal and commitment from Zin in the south and came to Rehob, near Hamath in the north. They proceeded to Hebron, an old city where the burying place of the patriarchs was situated. They eventually came to a particular brook where they cut a bunch of grapes and other fruits of pomegranates and figs as evidence of the richness of the land and the faithfulness of God. Their example is a challenge to believers on how to be zealous and enthusiastically committed to our own commission of preaching the gospel. The cluster of grapes and other fruits brought from Eshcol remind believers of the ripened field for harvest and the acute need for harvesters (Matthew 9:36-38; John 4:34-38; Revelation 14:15-18). Like our Master and perfect Example, Jesus Christ, we must work while it is day for the night comes when no man can work (John 4:34; 9:4). “And they returned from searching of the land after forty days” (Numbers 13:25). Some people do not see any need to give account of their stewardship to their leaders. The church needs both oral and written reports of its activities for planning and projections.
- REPORT OF THE TEN SPIES
Numbers 13:25- 33; Deuteronomy 1:25-33; 1 Kings 8:56; 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24; Hebrews 10:23; Luke 10:17-20; Mark 6:30,31
“And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature” (Numbers 13:32). Though the report Spies confirmed that God’s promise concerning the land was good and that it flowed with milk and honey, the majority harped on the difficulties they discovered. They considered the walled cities, the giants. And the terrain, which they claim “eateth up the inhabitants there of”. Thus, ten of the twelve men exaggerated the difficulties and underestimated God’s Omnipotence, faithfulness and ability to fulfil His promises: Their evil report brought discouragement to the entire congregation of Israel. They soon forgot all the miracles that God wrought in the past. Such spectacular and supernatural manifestation of God’s presence, power and providence ought to have built in them implicit trust and confidence about what God can. The subtle process of unbelief and the destructive effects of walking by sight are all too obvious in their evil report. Walking by sight tends to becloud and belittle Our vision of power, while it magnifies our vision of the little problems on the way. This attitude and lot of the ten spies teach believers some important lessons.
One, when God appoints the way of duty, we must beware of allowing our minds to dwell on the difficulties to be encountered.
Two, we must be careful not to underestimate God’s promise and ability to aid us in the course of His service. To be negative, cold, faithless or fearful because of difficulties has the capacity to weaken the hands and cripple the feet of both the leaders and the laity.
Three, we should avoid exaggerating the true position of problems or issues.
Four, we should develop the habit of confronting and countering negative or challenging situations by faith.
- GOOD REPORT OF THE TWO SPIES
Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9; Hebrews 11:1; Romans 10:10: 2 Corinthians 4:13,18; Romans 4:17
Faith, the opposite of fear, is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Joshua and Caleb were people of faith; and it showed in their positive confession challenging the multitude to act on God’s age-long promise by possessing the land of Canaan. They sought to overwrite unbelief and negative impressions on their minds with confession of faith. “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” (Numbers 13:30). Caleb considered and set his heart on the promises and power of God rather than on the facts they saw in Canaan. He counted on God’s faithfulness in the past and was strongly persuaded that He was able to do it again. He relied on God’s ability as the basis for their ability. He called those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17). He did not keep quiet and allow the clamour of unbelief to silence the voice of faith. Faith distinguishes a man. The faith of Caleb and Joshua marked them out as unique and extraordinary. By faith, they pleased God and obtained a good report that they wholly followed the Lord (Hebrews 11:2,6; Deuteronomy 1:36). In a world of unbelief and ungodliness, we can stand out as special stock through our faith. Believers must be careful and watchful to draw the line between words of faith and those expressing unbelief in God. We must be wary of the kind of words we hear, the kind of preachers we listen to, the kind of books we read so that our faith is not destroyed while our hearts are infected and contaminated with unbelief.
- ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF AND REBELLION AGAINST GOD
Numbers 14:1-45; 13:26-33;16:4,22,45; Deuteronomy 1:26-36; 1 Corinthians 10:1-5,10-12; Hebrews 3:7-19; 4:6,11; Romans 8:35-38; Exodus 17:4; 16:7; 1 Samuel 30:6; Matthew 23:37; Acts 7:52,59.
Multitudes of the Israelites went off course when they failed to exercise faith in the word and power of God. In their unbelief, they cried, made derogatory statements against their leaders, confessed their desire to die and blasphemed the God who brought them out of Egypt. They said they wanted to go back to Egypt through leaders they sought to appoint for themselves. “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?” (Numbers 14:3). This is clear rebellion. God is never happy with those who draw back from Him (Hebrews 10:38). It is fear and unbelief that make men to doubt God’s omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience in all situation of life, and to murmur against Him and His appointed leaders. Believers need to be careful with the use of tongues so as not to incite other fickle-minded and unstable Christians to murmur against God or His appointed leaders. Rather than present negative examples that discourage, we are enjoined to extort other brethren to “lift up and the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees: …lest that which is lame be turned out of the way: but let it rather be healed” (Hebrews 12:12,13). The eyes of faith see silver lining in any cloud of circumstances. So, it was with Caleb and Joshua. Failure to see with the eyes of faith can lead to missed opportunities and ultimate failure in life. Manifestation of unbelief in a single person can lead thousands of others astray. To prevent the manifestation of God’s Wrath that would usually lead to deaths of many Israelites, Moses interceded for them. What a good example this is for every spiritual leader! He earnestly pleaded for God’s mercy and forgiveness on their behalf. Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now” (Numbers 14:19). Though God purposed to disinherit Israel and raise up for Moses a greater and mightier nation, he refused to see the multitude perish and himself become a greater nation. He always advanced reasons that bother on the glory of God as grounds for them to be forgiven (Exodus 32:12,32; 34:9; Numbers 14:13-19; Deuteronomy 9:28). A leader then must not place his personal gain above the interest of God’s heritage. He should stand in the gap for God’s people and see how God could be glorified in all things (1 Peter 5:1-4). The Lord granted the prayer of Moses for Israel but insisted on destroying those who disbelieved Him. All the adult Israelites who despised the pleasant land, which they should have inherited were shut out of it. “And this promise of God was to be fulfilled for their children who were under twenty years of age, and whom they, in their unbelief, said should be a prey”. Caleb was a man of noble and heroic courage. He was rightly rewarded for his uprightness, steadfastness and total reliance on God’s promise. He got to the Promised Land and possessed his possession even at an old age (Joshua 14:7,10-12,14). Underscored here is the point that it is not just enough to begin the Christian race, it is those who continue and endure to the end that will be saved and rewarded. But it is faith that will win the victory. God rewards only those who overcome. Those who bear their cross to the end will wear the crown. Our God is a God of mercy and of judgment. Those who lead others into sin do not escape His judgment. If these men who brought evil report with the congregation had heeded the plea of Moses and the exhortation of Joshua and Caleb, they would have escaped being judged. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). As children of God, we should continue to live a faith-filled and graceful lifestyle in Christ to the end, and we shall be rewarded.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
- What quality of character is expected of those charged with important responsibilities in the church?
- What were the twelve spies sent to do in the land of Canaan?
- Point out the challenges and encouragement soul- winners can receive from the spies.
- What are the pitfalls believers should avoid from the evil report of the ten spies?
- What can a believer learn from the life of Caleb?
- How should a Christian use his tongue to fulfil Christ’s plan of redemption for humanispie
- What can we learn from Caleb’s spirit of wholehearted dedication to God’s word and service and His faithfulness to His promises?
