T-87

Like the cluster of grapes in the Valley of Eschol, God’s word is big and ripe. Sometimes, it takes more than a single treatment to get everything you can out of it. The current passage of study is such so today, I have to backtrack a little bit and squeeze a little more out of the last four verses I touched upon yesterday.

Specifically, consider… Numbers 13:21-25 (NIV)
21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Leboa Hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshcol,b they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
[1]

I tend to think of the Bible as a love letter from God to me. But throughout that letter, there are themes and currents. One such theme is that of obedience and in this text, obedience figures prominently. Keeping this passage in context, we can see that Moses was obedient to God by sending the leaders into the land of Canaan and instructing them to observe, analyze and to be opportunistic. In turn, the appointed leaders (who are specifically named) are obedient to Moses and ultimately to God. “So they went…” There is no account of reasoning, convincing, rationalizing, cajoling, whining or grumbling. God said… so Moses sent… so they went. It is stated so plainly and so simply as to represent a natural reaction to leadership and instruction. Oh that I were able to respond in such a manner at all times! And I would except… for me.

While their obedience to their commissioning is specifically addressed, their actions are not detailed for us. We get to see the path they took “through the Negev… to Hebron.. the valley of Eschol” but we aren’t presented with a color commentary of their journey. I believe that’s because the details of their actions are not what is important but rather their obedience gets center stage.

But in the Valley of Eschol, we do get a glimpse into their actions; “they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them…” Here we get a single and clear statement as to the fruitfulness of the Promised Land. This is recorded because of how amazing and unusual the cluster of grapes. Consider that you can hold a single cluster of grapes in one hand. A particularly large cluster may require the use of both hands to exact control. But in the Promised Land, a single cluster of grapes required the full strength of two grown men and the multiplication of effort yielded by the use of a pole. Can you imagine staggering under the weight of a single cluster of grapes? Can you imagine the wide eyes and gaping mouths of these men as they considered these grapes. That’s the joy in the fruit of obedience.

God has prepared a blessing for each of his children which is freely given in response to their obedience. Often, we see only a glimpse or a glimmer of the full blessing because we are too weak or too stubborn to respond in utter obedience. But there are times when we yield ourselves fully to the indwelling Holy Spirit and by His strength we are fully and totally obedient. In those moments, our eyes bug out wide-open and our jaws drop when we behold the full measure of God’s grace.

I remember now, making the final turn into the new campground in Linden, TN. Wide-open fields to my left, a beautiful forest to my right. Behind me was the road and the memory of past camps. Ahead, in the valley nestled between the mountain and the river lay a beautiful sight; the new and improved Camp Tsungani. My eyes wide open, my mouth agape I breathed in the blessing of God and was awestruck. What had we done to deserve such a place? We only followed in utter obedience.

It took two men to bring back a cluster of grapes to their people. It took nine or ten of us to bring back the splendor of the new Camp Tsungani to our people.

I can never say it enough… God is good.

Regards,
Carl

a Or toward the entrance to

b Eshcol means cluster; also in verse 24.

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