1 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. 6 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” 10 And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel.
Numbers 14:1-10
Q & A：
- Do you fall into the group of “cannotnites” and in what areas do you tend to say that you cannot change or make it work? Why is our faith in God the determining factor whether we can inherit the promises of God in our lives? (Exo 3:16-17; John 10:10; Rom 6:4)
- What was the reason for the Israelites to wander in the wilderness for 40 years? Discuss if you are walking in the Spirit and in love to overcome the murmuring or complaints towards your spouse, children, family members or the community and how can you make a breakthrough in your inter-personal relationship to take hold of the abundant life. (Deu 1:34-36; Gal 5:14-15)
- Explain the different spirit that Caleb had in contrast to the rest of the spies. Discuss what should our faith be built on and how to apply or make adjustment in our lives for “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth will speak”. (Num 14:24; Num 13:30; Heb 11:1, 6, 30; Josh 23:14)