18: Same Facts, Different Interpretation (Num 13:26-14:10)

All twelve spies brought the same report about the land and the Canaanites. But their interpretation was totally opposite.

πŸ‘‰ Read Numbers 13:26-14:10

What were the two facts in their report? (27-29)


What were the two things in Joshua and Caleb's words? (4:7-9)

 

Compare the interpretation of the ten spies (31-33) and the one of Joshua and Caleb (4:7-9). What made the two parties wrought totally opposite interpretations?

 

As they failed to grasp the Lord’s promise, they doubted (       )'s intention, regretted the exodus, and wanted to return to (                  ).

 

Answers and Meditation

The land was good. The inhabitants were strong.

They focused more on how strong the Canaanites were than on how good the land was. Maybe they had not expected their enemies would be that strong.

Our enemy is not human but Satan.

God’s promise and His vision come with two facts like this: abundant blessing and impossibleness to achieve it. Thus, we need faith.


The land was exceedingly good. If the Lord delights in us, we will have it.

However, to the men of faith, what matters is not their strength but their faith. Note that Joshua and Caleb didn't mention the strength of the Canaanites. 

 

Other spies focused on their weakness compared to the Canaanites.

Joshua and Caleb focused on the Lord’s willingness and obedience to the Lord.

Their weakness is a fact. But the men of faith relied on God’s power and willingness to conquer the land for them.

We will encounter stronger enemies as we march forward in God’s commands and vision. We should focus on obeying His words rather than looking for how to detour the obstacle.

We are strong not because of our ability but God's power who is with us (9).

 

God, Egypt

Without holding fast to the Word of God, you would doubt God’s good purpose throughout not-so-good situations and return to the non-Christian life.

How to interpret your life situation tells your faith. Let His word interpret the situation and facts, not your experience. Walk by faith, not by sight.

 

They got out of Egypt and came here to enter Canaan. God’s vision for them in the land of Canaan was not just to enjoy prosperity but to become God's holy nation. When they lost God’s vision in their hearts, whether Canaan or Egypt didn’t matter to them as long as they could survive.

Survival will become your first priority if you lose God’s vision. Even you will become a slave of the world to survive. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

15: They repented for the first time, But... (Judges 10:1 – 18)

They repented before the Lord, but He was not willing to deliver them because He knew their irresistible tendency toward idol worship. Read Judges 10:1 - 18 Q1. After the death of Abimelech, Tola rose up to (             ) Israel and (         ) Israel for 23 years. After him, (             ) rose up and (           ) Israel for 22 years. The towns he and his sons ruled were collectively called (                   ). Both (          ) and were buried in their hometowns. Answers πŸ‘‰ After the death of Abimelech, Tola rose up to ( deliver ) Israel and ( led ) Israel for 23 years. After him, ( Jair  ) rose up and (  led  ) Israel for 22 years. The towns he and his sons ruled were collectively called ( Havvoth Jair ). Both ( died ) and were buried in their hometowns. They "rose up." While there is no explicit mention that the Lord appointed them as judges, this does not necessarily mean they assumed leadership on their own.  Tola appears to have risen to deliver Israel du
Read more

25: ‘Tell us plainly’ vs ‘The Father and I are one.’ (John 10:22 – 42)

As Jesus announced the Father and Jesus were one, the Jewish leaders tried to stone him. πŸ‘‰ Read John 10:22 - 42 Q1. Why did the Jewish leaders not believe in Jesus? Answers πŸ‘‰ They refused to believe in Jesus, for they were not Jesus’ sheep. ‘you refused to believe.’ This tells their willing refusal.  Note that Jesus Himself doesn’t call Himself the Messiah. Instead, He called Himself the One sent from God. He focused on doing the Father’s works and proclaiming His words. From Jesus’ works, they could have concluded that He was the Messiah sent from God. But they refused to admit it. Instead, they asked Jesus to admit His identity as the Messiah plainly, which Jesus wouldn’t do. Q2. They asked Jesus if He were the (           ). But Jesus claimed that the (          ) and He are one. Because of this, they condemned Him of (             ) and tried to stone Him. Answer πŸ‘‰ They asked Jesus if He were the ( Christ ). But Jesus claimed that the ( Father  ) and He are one
Read more

13: Abimelech: The Rise of a Self-Appointed Leader (Judges 9:1 – 21)

All the judges in the Book of Judges were chosen by God. However, Abimelech claimed kingship on his own. The people of Shechem supported him but did not truly follow him. Although they appeared to act out of loyalty to their kin, they were ultimately pursuing their own interests. This alliance would ultimately lead to mutual destruction. Read Judges 9:1 - 21 Q1. Why did the people of Shechem follow Abimelech? (2-3) Answers πŸ‘‰ Abimelech was their close relative. His mother was from Shechem.  Q2. The people of Shechem gave him (                 ) silver coins. And he hired some (            ) men and killed his (             ), seventy sons of Jerub Baal, on (              ).  Answer πŸ‘‰ The people of Shechem gave him ( seventy ) silver coins. And he hired some ( lawless ) men and killed his ( brothers ), seventy sons of Jerub Baal, on ( one stone ). Take note of expressions that emphasize brotherhood, such as “our own flesh and blood” and “He is our close relative.” Alt
Read more