Explore the Promised Land, Abraham Kim
DO NOT REBEL AGAINST THE LORD WHO IS WITH US
Passage: Numbers 14:1~10  
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)
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.
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
- Numbers 14:10 : S Ex 17:4
- Numbers 14:10 : S Ex 24:16
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Source:  BibleGateway
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 4:30), 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