“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it..." (Num 14:24)
Most churchgoers are familiar with the story of Moses leading the people to the Promised Land, but have you ever stopped to consider that moment when God decides not everyone is going to the Promised Land? A critical development took place that changed the vision, and this problem affected the destiny of many people, particularly the older generation.
When we look at Numbers 13-14, in light of God’s plan to take the Israelites into the Promised Land (Canaan), we can see that the people had a problem with moving forward with God’s plan. This plan began as a covenant with Abraham to make of him a great nation (Gen. 12:1-3) and to give his descendants the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:6-7).
This Abrahamic covenant is a part of God’s greater redemption plan for all humanity (Gen. 12:3). God was setting aside a nation of people out of which the Messiah would be sent (Num. 24:17). Moses’ assignment in this phase of God’s redemption plan was to bring the people out of Egypt through the wilderness into the land of Canaan. However, the people had a problem with God’s plan. They rejected their role as God’s agents of change. This rejection is like telling Jesus you are not interested in being the light of the world!
After the negative reports of ten of the 12 spies that was sent to explore the land of Canaan, the people gave several reasons why they could not go up to the land and why it was actually better for them to go back. What's the problem? Listening to the ungodly counsel of evil reporters.
"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season" Ps. 1:3
When we reject the wisdom of God and listen to ungodly counsel, we reject the plan God has for our lives. In the Seven Steps Approach, Pas. Henry teaches Step #1 as the Profile & Power of the Righteous Person. This profile is based on Psalm 1, admonishing the believer to avoid partnership with the wicked and to follow godly counsel.
Having a good, fruitful life begins with following Jesus. Cultivating a life in which goodness grows comes by following godly counsel and partnering with those who follow Christ. What does this image look like in the life of women? The wisdom of Proverbs 31 reveals the fruitfulness that is possible with wise, godly counsel. Righteousness exalts a nation.
Recommended Research Activity:
Read Numbers 13 and 14, and identify some of the reasons the Israelites gave for not following God's plan. God used these reasons and their actions as evidence of the Israelites’ great problem, which changed their destiny and impacted God’s vision for them.