Reading
SAA Notes
Caleb and Joshua are the only two spies whose faith is up to the task set by God. They trust Him. The other 10 see only an unscaleable mountain before Israel. Israel came to the road to the Promised Land and wouldn’t take it! Jesus said: if you find the road that leads to life – take it. Don’t let your fears overcome your faith! Matthew 7:13,14
SJA Notes
* God Above, You are gracious and righteous, You are merciful, You have delivered our soul from death. We praise You Lord!
“But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.”
Two perspectives.
One a litany of errors, broken decision-making … Sin.
The other a weight of righteousness and steadfast love, faithfulness and preparing for Jesus.
Surely a million people can’t be wrong right?
While the ten spies were lacking in courage, they let their fear rule them – They couldn’t start fire without embers. The people had been grumbling for a fair while now, and they suffered the consequences for their unbelief.
This is a major tipping point in the Old Testament.
On the horizon is the promised land!
For us, we know that the kingdom is now (we have been told to pray that God’s kingdom would come), but we look forward to it fully realised in the new heavens and earth when Jesus returns.
But back to the tipping point – The crux, turning point: An entire generation, a the bulk of a million people, can never enter the promised land.
“But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.”
What a terrible and mighty word from the Lord.
Our sin mars us. It marks us in our unrighteousness, and we stand condemned. Fully deserving of “no entry” into the promised land of life after this life.
But Jesus.
Jesus changes everything. A deeper and fuller, more beautiful, saving work than Moses could do.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
In Jesus we do not perish and fall in the wilderness. Just as with Moses on the mount of transfiguration, Jesus brings (saves) us into the promised land.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
* Dear God in Heaven,
Thank You for Jesus, through whom we are saved and rest assured in Your promises of life after this life.
Please help us to tell people of this wonderful news.
Amen.