Shakespeare wrote, “The world is your oyster” to convey the limitless opportunities one faces in life. Today, we might say: “You have the world at your feet”, or “the sky’s the limit”. I have mentioned before that Linda and I never told our children, “You can do anything you set your mind to”, but rather, “You can do anything God asks of you.” Life is indeed full of opportunities; the challenge is which of the many does God have for us. This week, we consider the Twelve Spies narrative found in Numbers 13 and 14. This is one part of Israel’s history Paul looked back upon when he wrote: “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come (1 Corinthians 10:11).” So, what instruction do we receive from this story in our day?
The context is the 2nd year following the exodus from Egypt. Under the leadership of Moses the Israelites leave Mt. Sinai for the Promised Land, and on the way find themselves camped in a wilderness area known as Paran. From Deuteronomy 1 we know that the people came to Moses with a request: “Let us send men before us, that they may explore the land for us and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up and the cities into which we shall come. (Deut 1:22)” Moses agreed and took the matter up with God who proceeded to give instructions for the people through Moses. “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them (Num. 13:2).”
Something to See:
What stands out to you in God’s instructions? What stands out to me is the reminder God implants in the middle. God essentially says, ‘By all means send spies into the land, and do it well – send your best men! But as you do this, remember I am giving you this land!” Life’s opportunities always seem to be paired with challenges. God wanted his people to see these challenges with a divine perspective, understanding that their covenant-keeping God was behind them!