1. Spies and rebellion
Numbers

2. Spies and rebellion BACKGROUND
Numbers is an account of the time between the Exodus and the entry into the Promised Land
The Lord has guided the Israelites almost to the border of the Promised Land
There have been challenges to Moses’ leadership and discontent with God’s provision
Now there is a great opportunity set before the people of God

3. Spies and rebellion SPIES SENT OUT (13:1 – 20)
God commands Moses to choose 12 leaders to go into the Promised Land to give a report of what they find
One man from each tribe except Levi is chosen (Manasseh and Ephraim make up the tribe of Joseph)
It is not an evaluation exercise – God has already promised the land to them – it is meant to be an information gathering exercise – what is the land like, are there trees, bring back some fruit, what sort of towns are there?

4. Spies and rebellion WHAT DO THEY FIND (13:21-25)?
The land is very fruitful – huge clusters of grapes, pomegranates and figs (no garlic or cucumbers mentioned!)
They take 40 days to do their research
They find out the names of some of the clans and tribes that live in the land
They see very tall people (descendants of Anak, long-necked)

5. Spies and rebellion REPORTING BACK (13:26-33)
The spies show off the rich fruit they found
They confirmed that the land “flowed with milk and honey”
BUT the towns are large and fortified, the people are tall and powerful (giants v grasshoppers)
Caleb of Judah calls on the people to go up and possess the land “we are well able to overcome it”
The other spies disagreed and urged the people not to go into the land (Joshua remains silent) – they spread a misleading report

6. Spies and rebellion REBELLION (14:1 - 10)
The people weep and cry out when they hear the report from the spies
They complain to Moses and Aaron and again wish to return to Egypt. They would rather die there than in the wilderness or by the sword
Joshua and Caleb speak out against the rebellion – if the Lord is with them they will surely be victorious
The people respond by wanting to stone them but the Lord intervened (10)

7. Spies and rebellion JUDGEMENT (14:11 - 38)
The Lord pronounces judgement on the rebellious people
Moses intercedes for the people – God’s honour and reputation is at stake, His patience, forgiveness and mercy are needed
God’s judgement is confirmed – all over the age of 20 will die in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua (and possibly the Levites, Eleazar the High Priest enters – see Joshua 14),
The wandering in the wilderness will last 40 years

8. Spies and rebellion A FUTILE INVASION (14:39 - 45)
Despite the Lord’s words of judgement the people now decide to invade
Moses tells them that they will not succeed because the Lord is not with them
The Ark of the Covenant and Moses remained in the camp
The Amalekites and Canaanites defeated them and their presumption was rewarded by destruction (Hormah)

9. Spies and rebellion LESSONS FOR TODAY
Faith is needed to enter into the promises of God
In our pilgrimage of faith we must keep our eyes on the fruitful reward promised by God
There will be obstacles to our inheriting the promises but with God at our side we CAN receive
God’s discipline and judgement are necessary (Hebrews 12: )
God responds to the intercessions of His faithful people and we have a greater intercessor at our side (1 Timothy 2:5)