T-81

The people of Israel upon hearing the reports of the ten spies were overcome with fear, remorse and faithlessness. So much so that they wept through the night and yet another revolt against Moses and Aaron arose. The people who had been freed from the yoke of slavery considered, talked about and set about to return to Egypt and to the slavery they would surely face. In this concept is much for us to consider; how the redeemed will return to their sin as though a slave chained to it.

That however is text for another day and I only mention it to set the contextual stage for the text of today. Consider…

Numbers 14:6 (NIV)
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes [1]

I immediately notice three points in this text.

First, I take note of the statement of genealogy. The fathers of both Joshua and Caleb are explicitly mentioned. I believe this may be so that not only may we distinguish one Joshua from another but also to bestow honor on their respective houses. Consider that 12 leaders were selected, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. All the spies witnessed the same events and situations. Only two ‘kept the faith.’ And they ‘kept their faith’ in the face of the multitudes and masses. This is significant. Their parents should be proud. J

Secondly, I take note of the boldness of their response. Joshua and Caleb demonstrated remarkably commendable boldness in opposing all their colleagues and indeed the entire congregation of Israel. In their opposition, they put themselves at great risk. This after all is the age of stoning! That they took such an obvious and recognizable action reveals the strength of their conviction. There is much we can learn from their example. We are to stand firm and not be dislodged from our convictions.

Third, I take note of the grief revealed in their actions. Our two exemplary leaders could have and had every right to rebuke their colleagues and to reproach the nation of Israel for their faithlessness. They had a forum and a podium from which to ‘launch’ their rebuke. But instead, they demonstrated great self-control, wisdom and meekness. Their hearts were anguished at the attitudes of their countrymen. Their very soul was penetrated with grief and they demonstrated their grief in the custom of the times; they tore their clothes. Looking ahead, let us acknowledge that the clothes they were wearing would be worn for the next forty years. Thus, the remembrance of their grief would accompany them for the next four decades. Nevertheless, they tore their clothes out of grief over the voluntary death, even suicide, that the nation of Israel was in the midst of. Can our grief be any less for our countrymen? Are we so safe in our own salvation as to be numb to the legions of the lost that surround us?

What I take away from this text is an instruction to follow in their example. To represent the family of God well; to be bold in my right actions; to be true to my convictions; to grieve and weep over sinners instead of being angry with them; to feel and show compassion for the lost and to instruct others by my words AND my actions.

As Christians, we live in a degenerate world surrounded on every side by sin and perversion. We must each as individuals take a stand to defend our convictions and to be witnesses for God. Like the examples before us, we must never be dissuaded or deterred from testifying against sin no matter the strength, power or numbers of those in opposition. Even if we stand alone, we must stand.

Regards,
Carl

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.