Oct 5 ~ Joshua and Caleb

Joshua and Caleb Although God continually showed Himself faithful to the Israelites, they continued to grumble and complain. They grumbled when they were frightened and didn’t trust God. They complained when they wished things were different than they were. It was a frustration to Moses and angered God. He dealt with them many times. Some times He gently met their needs and other times He disciplined them harshly for their bad attitudes. It was a repeated problem. Still, God remained faithful to this nation He loved that wasn’t being faithful to Him. When they neared the land God had promised Abraham He instructed Moses to send some men in to explore the land. He sent them to discover what the land was like and the people living there. He requested they return with some of the land’s best fruit. They were gone forty days. When they returned they gave a report of the land, the people, and fruit. They acknowledged the land was as God promised. It was a land full of milk and honey. However, they were terrified of the people there. The land was full of giants. After the miracles God had performed previously, they should not have been concerned. Yet they were. As they were expressing their fear, Caleb interrupted them. He trusted God completely. He knew the giants were strong, but he also knew they could conquer them with God’s help. They argued with Caleb and convinced the other Israelites of their impending doom. Only Joshua, who also searched out the land, agreed with Caleb. Both trusted God. Together Moses, Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua begged the others to rely on God and to brave taking the land. The Israelites not only refused they threatened to kill them. God was angry. He desired to destroy them all and start His nation over through Moses. However, Moses prayed for them. He asked God to forgive. God was merciful and did forgive. However, He also gave a consequence. He announced the Israelites who had seen the miracles He performed in Egypt and still chose to not trust Him would never receive the land He had promised. They would die in the desert. God would lead them around the desert many years until they all died. Their children would be blessed to inherit the land they had refused to trust God for. God did promise Caleb and Joshua would make their home in the land, because they were faithful and trusted Him. He was very pleased with their faith. He is pleased when we trust Him also. We can always trust God to protect us and meet our every need.