Why Has He Brought Us Into This Land?
Introduction
Regardless of where we are now in our lives and how we got where we are, we all have a past. We either had a great experience, a less than great experience, or more than likely a mixture of both. Even “protective witnesses” who are given a new identity and life have a past experience.
We also have in mind a place we want to be, a goal we want to achieve. We are thinking about, dreaming about a destination. We often become frustrated because we do not get where we want to or where we dream to get. Israel had a promised Lord on their minds. They had a past experience and they were dreaming for an experience in a new land.
Israel was not satisfied; they were not content with the present and they were not satisfied with the path ahead to where they wanted to go. Many of us are not satisfied with where we are or with the path we are on, or what it will take to get where we want to go. How do we act? What do we do to get beyond the past and embark on the journey to where we want to go and more importantly where God wants us to?
Remember throughout this passage and sermon that God has a plan. He had a plan for Israel that included time in Egyptian bondage and a plan to get His people to the promise land. He has a plan for each individual and family and He has a plan for His church.
There are obstacles hindering us from moving from where we have been, from where we are to get to, where God want us to go. One obstacle Israel and we encounter is the fear of the future.
I. Israel Feared The Future They Wanted, But Did Not Think Attainable
Numbers 13:26-33
The spies, twelve of them, went into the land, at Moses’ command, to discover how great the land was. Moses commanded the twelve in obedience to God’s command in 13:2. The twelve were sent to ascertain the goodness of the land and the strength of the men. (13:18-20).
The twelve spied out the land for 40 days. They reported back to Moses, Aaron, and the congregation and displayed before them fruit of the land (26). The twelve confirmed that the land was flowing with milk and honey. The land was as good as promised.
Nevertheless (28), they also reported that the people were strong, the cities were large and fortified and Anak’s (a giant) descendants were there.
Caleb confidently challenged the congregation to go and take possession of the land because he was confident the Lord would overcome the inhabitants of the Promised Land.
The other men who spied out the land disagreed. The other men stated that the inhabitants were stronger and they couldn’t prevail. They gave the children of Israel a “bad report” (32) that the inhabitants devoured people. The other men pointed to the giants and described themselves as grasshoppers. We do the same thing today. The other men were not willing to unify and commit to the hard work of obedience and trust. We want something and we see the giants and forget God’s plan. In the church people look around and say we cannot do this because it is too big and too hard. A fear of the future is not the only obstacle to arriving where the Lord is leading and where we want to go.
II. Israel Never Lived Passed The Past - The Good Ole Days
Numbers 14:1
After hearing the second report Israel cried out and wept all night. The next day was not better. They complained against Moses and Aaron and were infected by the “if only” syndrome. If only we would have stayed in Egypt. If only we had died in the wilderness. (2) Then they began to ask why. Why did the Lord bring us here? “We are going to die.” Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?
The children of Israel had already been selectively looking back to the good ole days in Egypt. They easily remembered the produce and meat and this remembrance led them to want to return to Egypt. (Numbers 11:4-5). Acting on what they wanted to do, they agreed to get a new leader and return to slavery, a certainty if they returned to Egypt.
Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb fell on their faces and tore their garments. How could the children of Israel want to go back? This happens to us as well. We start on a path where we want to go and where the Lord wants us to be and then we start looking back. The past becomes an obstacle to our destination. This obstacle hinders the church as well. None of us can go back and, if we are honest, we don't want to go back. In the good ole days we experienced heartache, suffering, and loss along with accomplishment and stability. We often only remember the good and forget the bad. How do we overcome these obstacles?
III. Israel Needed A New Mindset
Numbers 14:8-10
There are consequences in letting the obstacles of the fear of the future and the thought of the past to stop us from arriving where God wants us to go. Because the children of Israel failed to obey and conquer the obstacles, they did not enter the Promised Land. Instead they wondered in the wilderness for forty years. This was enough time for this generation to die in the wilderness, never to enter the promise land. There were only two exceptions: Joshua and Caleb.
They needed a new mindset, a mindset outlined by Joshua and Caleb.
A. Let the Lord Lead
First we must have the mindset that says “If the Lord leads.” We can only go where He leads. James 4:13-16 speaks about this mindset.
B. Remember His Promises
Second, we must remember it is His responsibility to “give us the land.”
C. Follow Faithfully
Third, we cannot rebel against Him.
D. Do Not Fear
Fourth, we cannot fear the people that appear to be the obstacles
F. Trust His Protection
Fifth, where the Lord leads He protects and He is there.
C. Refuse to Rebel
Sixth, do not rebel.
How did Israel respond to Joshua, Caleb, Moses, and Aaron? The people set out to stone them. Leadership at home, work, and church is not easy when the report is not as good as others want it to be.
Conclusion
We all encounter these obstacles at sometime or another. Our response to obstacles will speak to our commitment to the Lord and to our character.
Where do you want to be? Where is the Lord leading you? Are you rebelling against the Lord? What are we missing as a church because we are not facing obstacles to God’s vision for us with God’s power in us?