The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14)
When Moses directed the Israelites to enter the promised land, he first sent spies to determine the layout of the land and potential enemy strength. Most of the spies expressed fear of the giants they saw in the land, referring to themselves in a demeaning note comparative to the giants as grasshoppers. They were downright scared puny! Moreover, they poisoned the minds of the Israelites to fear entering the land of promise – wherefrom milk and honey and giant grapes were brought back by the spies evidencing the fertility of the land.
With the majority upset, siding with the fear-mongering report, the Jews were doomed not to obey their marching orders from Moses, who took his lead from Yahweh God.
The minority report of two men, Caleb and Joshua, was overwhelmingly positive – let’s move forward into the promised land — we can overcome the giants — we have God on our side! But it was not enough to open the deafened ears of the majority. For their stubbornness, which God viewed as a disobedient lack of trust in His ability to conquer and overcome, they would never cross the Jordan and enter the land. That entire generation of complainers would die right at their point of a call to radically act and be rewarded with the blessings promised and a bountiful land they could call home.
Significantly, Caleb and Joshua saw what all the other spies saw (Numbers 14:6). They saw grapes, and they saw the giants. Nor did they dispute or deny that they were grasshoppers, but with the eye of faith, they ‘saw’ something else. They were more conscious of God than they were of the giants, the grasshoppers, and even the grapes. Caleb’s initial charge to the people was unequivocal: ‘Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it’ (Numbers 13:30). 1
The Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea and had seen how God destroyed the Egyptian army. Yet, they grumbled and defied the timing ordained by God to move into a place where with His help, it would have been impossible to fail if they’d demonstrated obedient trust.
This offers an object lesson typified by Joshua and Caleb’s clear-sighted trust and obedience in contrast with the whining populace of the then-current generation, who magnified the fear-mongering resistance to trusting God alone for victory.
Subsequently, entire corporate Israel – irrespective of Joshua and Caleb’s faithfulness – was adjourned by Yahweh to roam the desert wastelands until death. Their children would eventually enter 40 years later. For those fearful of failure in their walk with the Lord, we must learn a lesson to take courage, equip our minds and advance in the will of the Lord unto righteous living in His favour. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. (Psalm 56:3–4 ESV)
Those doomed to stay in one place are a type of Christians who never grasp the promise of God, that they can overcome the enemy, Satan and his demons, by the indwelling Spirit of God and live obedient and holy sanctified lives. Those who overcome will be prepared to meet the Lord with all his holy angels in the final reaping judgment at the second advent of Jesus Christ.
Many have experienced failure, often allowing Satan to tempt them to focus on their spiritual weaknesses. Here is an important scripture you can contemplate to encourage you to stand decisively like Joshua and Caleb, holding to the promises and doctrine taught by the prophets and the apostles. The apostle Peter made it clear that we are to adhere insightfully to the promises of God to overcome Satan’s temptations living obedient, holy lives. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV)
The prophet Daniel speaks of the necessity of heeding a serious call to submit to the Lord and live an obedient and holy life. (Daniel 12:10 NAS): Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
1 A Radical Comprehensive Call to Holiness, Joel R. Beeke and Michael P.V. Barrett