DO NOT REBEL AGAINST THE LORD WHO IS WITH US

Passage: Numbers 14:1-10

Key verse: 9

NIV

The People Rebel

14 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud.(A) 2 All the Israelites grumbled(B) against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt!(C) Or in this wilderness!(D) 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?(E) Our wives and children(F) will be taken as plunder.(G) Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?(H)” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.(I)”

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown(J) in front of the whole Israelite assembly(K) gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun(L) and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes(M) 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.(N) 8 If the Lord is pleased with us,(O) he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey,(P) and will give it to us.(Q) 9 Only do not rebel(R) against the Lord. And do not be afraid(S) of the people of the land,(T) because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with(U) us.(V) Do not be afraid of them.”(W)

10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning(X) them. Then the glory of the Lord(Y) appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.

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ESV

The People Rebel

14 Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people (A)wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel (B)grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or (C)would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? (D)Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, (E)“Let us choose a leader and (F)go back to Egypt.”

5 Then (G)Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. 6 (H)And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, (I)“The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If (J)the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, (K)a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only (L)do not rebel against the Lord. And (M)do not fear the people of the land, for (N)they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” 10 (O)Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But (P)the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron after hearing the bad report by ten leaders. God had promised to give them the land (13:2), yet they still did not trust God. In their fear, they doubted God’s love. They wanted to take matters into their own hands and return to Egypt, the land they had suffered as slaves! Our words have a great impact, and must not be spoken casually. We must greatly consider the influence of what we say in community (Eph 4:29), and not plant doubt.

Moses and Aaron did not side with the majority rule. Nor did they begin to fight and argue. They fell down on their face, demonstrating submission to God and humility to people. They hoped to help the people overcome their fear. Joshua and Caleb reminded the people that God is with them; it is not their power that will overcome their enemies, but the mighty hand of God. Their fear made them rebellious and even violent against Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb. Our community, the Church, is ruled by God through his Holy Spirit, who is working for our good. How do we respond to a bad report? We should not grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:3

), but remember God’s promises, pray, and trust him.

Prayer: Father, your plans are for our good, even when they are difficult. Help us live by faith and not doubt your good plan. Help me pray and guard my heart from fear.

One Word: Trust and obey God who is with us