July 15, 2024

Numbers 14:1-10 (HCSB)
Israel’s Refusal to Enter Canaan
14 Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. 2 All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and little children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground in front of the whole assembly of the Israelite community. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community: “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.

Jenny Morton
Israel had just escaped slavery from Egypt. Many, if not all, of these people had seen first hand the faithfulness of God. And yet they still wanted to run back to Egypt and abandon the plan God had for them. Whether it was fear for their lives, fear for their families, fear of change, fear of the unknown, or whatever other reason, the common denominator was fear. Fear causes a physiologic response in our bodies. It can make you fight, or flee, or even freeze. When in a large group it can lead to violence. It can blind us to our faith. How often do we let fear blind us to God's plan? Strong emotions can lead to bad decisions, but the love of God can bring us peace. First John 4:18 says, "Perfect love casts out fear". God, replace our fear with faith. Help us to trust in You.