Explore the Promised Land, Abraham Kim
DO NOT BE AFRAID
Passage: Numbers 14:1~9  
Key verse: 9
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)
Cross references
- Numbers 14:1 : S Ge 27:38; Ex 33:4; Nu 25:6; Dt 1:45; Jdg 20:23, 26; 2Sa 3:32; Job 31:29
- Numbers 14:2 : S Ex 15:24; Heb 3:16
- Numbers 14:2 : S Ex 16:3
- Numbers 14:2 : S Nu 11:1; 16:13; 20:4; 21:5
- Numbers 14:3 : S Ex 5:21
- Numbers 14:3 : ver 31
- Numbers 14:3 : S Ge 34:29; Dt 1:39; Ps 109:11; Isa 33:4; Eze 7:21; 25:7; 26:5
- Numbers 14:3 : Ac 7:39
- Numbers 14:4 : Ne 9:17
- Numbers 14:5 : S Lev 9:24; Nu 16:4, 22, 45; 20:6; Jos 5:14; 2Sa 14:4; 1Ch 21:16; Eze 1:28
- Numbers 14:5 : S Lev 19:2
- Numbers 14:6 : Nu 11:28
- Numbers 14:6 : S Ge 37:29, 34; Jdg 11:35; 2Sa 13:31; 2Ki 19:1; Ezr 9:3; Est 4:1; S Mk 14:63
- Numbers 14:7 : Nu 13:27; Dt 1:25
- Numbers 14:8 : Dt 7:8; 10:15; Ps 18:19; 22:8; 37:23; 41:11; 56:9; 147:11; Pr 11:20; Isa 62:4; Mal 2:17
- Numbers 14:8 : Nu 13:27
- Numbers 14:8 : Dt 1:21
- Numbers 14:9 : Dt 1:26; 9:7, 23, 24
- Numbers 14:9 : Ge 26:24; 2Ch 32:7; Ps 118:6; Jer 41:18; 42:11
- Numbers 14:9 : Dt 1:21; 7:18; 20:1
- Numbers 14:9 : Hag 2:4
- Numbers 14:9 : S Ge 21:22; Dt 1:30; 2Ch 13:12; Jer 15:20; 46:28; Hag 1:13
- Numbers 14:9 : ver 24
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Let's go back to Egypt! (1-4)
When the people heard the reports of the spies, they forgot the power and promises of God and fell into fear. Fear is unbelief. This was not the first time, but this time was critical, for it was the time of decision. Instead of looking at God, they looked at the powerful enemy and at themselves. They said, 'We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes...Let's go back to Egypt.' Those who have been delivered from bondage by the power of God must live by faith from first to last. To go back to the old life is death.
2. Only do not rebel (5-9)
Caleb and Joshua also had seen the powerful enemies, but they believed that the Lord would give them the good land if they pleased him. They begged the people not to be afraid and not to rebel. Fear and rebellion displease God. The Israelites could conquer the land because the Canaanites had no protection, and the Lord was with his people Israel (9). If we trust and obey God, he will give victory and success.
Prayer: Lord, drive out the fear which is the seed of rebellion; help me to live by faith.
One Word: 'We will swallow them up!'