[Numbers 13:30-32 NLT]

But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” 31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.

[Number 14:2-4 NLT]

Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

[Numbers 14:5-10 NLT]

Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. 7 They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.

[Numbers 14:12 NLT]

I will disown them and destroy them with a plague. Then I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are!”

[Numbers 14:19-20 NLT]

In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.” 20 Then the LORD said, “I will pardon them as you have requested.

[Numbers 14:31-32 NLT]

“‘You said your children would be carried off as plunder. Well, I will bring them safely into the land, and they will enjoy what you have despised. 32 But as for you, you will drop dead in this wilderness.

[1 Corinthians 10:11 NLT]

These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.

FIVE THINGS I LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKE

• Trust that God knows what he’s doing even when I don’t

[Numbers 13:30]

“But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. ‘Let’s go at once to take the land,’ he said. ‘We can certainly conquer it!'”

[Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)]

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

[Romans 8:31 (NLT)]

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”

2. Unbelief leads to (1) disobedience, then (2) consequences, and finally (3) delayed blessing.

[Numbers 14:11 (NLT)]

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?'”

[Galatians 6:7-8 (NLT)]

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”

[Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)]

“For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

3. A faithful minority can stand against the tide of unbelief.

[Numbers 14:6-8 (NLT)]

“Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, ‘The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey.'”

[Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)]

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

[Romans 12:2 (NLT)]

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

4. Effective leadership involves interceding for others.

[Numbers 14:19-20 (NLT)]

“In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.’ Then the Lord said, ‘I will pardon them as you have requested.'”

[1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)]

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”

[James 5:16 (NLT)]

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?