T-88

And so, Moses obediently followed the instructions of The Lord… My passage today…

Numbers 13:17-25 (NIV)
17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
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]

Within this text, there are five matters to mention.

The matter of directions... Moses gave specific instructions as to the route the tribal leaders were to take into the land of Canaan. He did not just turn them out into the general direction of Canaan but rather gave them strategic guidance as to assure their success. In this instance, Moses is functioning as a caring leader. He has received insight and wisdom of The Lord and he is offering the benefit of his blessing to those under his watch. This is an important representation of the concept of authority. God places leaders into their positions for just such a purpose. Whether that leader is a boss in the workplace, a politician in office or a pastor in church. In my church, we have a Senior Pastor who leads and guides other pastors who in turn lead and guide coordinators or directors who in turn lead and guide assistants and class leaders who in turn lead and guide teachers. Although the structure may seem complicated, it is simply a chain that links leaders to the followers next to them and so on. Our leaders are tasked by God to lead faithfully and lovingly; to give guidance, direction and instruction so as to insure the success of their followers.

The matter of instruction (observation)… Moses did not turn the leaders out on their own but rather gave them very specific instructions as to the purpose of their mission. It wasn’t as simple as ‘go see what this land is about.’ Instead, they were to examine and observe the land, the people, the towns, the soil, the plants and the produce. While these were all of strategic importance from a military perspective it is more than that. They were instructed to observe all that God had created and to gain an understanding of the wealth of God’s blessing through the gift of this land.

The matter of analyzing... While the mission began with observation, it required analysis. They were to analyze what they saw in order to determine the strength of the people, the quality of the land, the resistance of the cities and the quality of the soil. It is one thing to look at a field and to admire it’s beauty (is it good or bad) and another entirely to determine if the soil is fertile or poor. This required a commitment beyond the observation of the visual and a look beneath the surface. In the same way that God judges the heart of man, these men were to judge the soil of the land.

The matter of opportunity… These men were to do more than observe and analyze. They were to ‘do their best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.’ Thus, they were to be opportunistic. We too are to be opportunistic, seizing the moments given us to live, to love and to lead other into the promised land of God’s family.

The matter of season… The opportunity these men were to seize was seasonal. God had caused them to be arriving in this wonderful land to coincide with the first harvest of ripe grapes. Hear this clearly… the Israelites were at the edge of the field that was ripe with the promise of God. This was the first opportunity they had to seize it. Not just the grapes but the entire land. They were in the season of the fulfillment of God’s promise exactly as they were in the season of the harvest of the first ripe grapes. The timing was neither coincidental nor happenstance but rather an example of God’s faithfulness, providence and grace.

With respect to Camp Tsungani…
· Directions… we were to travel east on I-4O, taking a specific exit, a specific turn and by following the directions, we arrived safely at our destination. In the big picture, when we follow God’s directions, we arrive safely.
· Instructions… we were tasked to examine the facilities, the lay of the land, count the beds and buildings. We were on a mission and knew the information we were to collect.
· Analyze… we were to determine how best the land can be put to use… where could expeditions be placed? Where could praise and worship take place? Where could training and instruction take place?
· Opportunity… identify the obstacles that must be overcome as well as completely new blessings… everything from how to reconfigure the size of a cabin to where we could build fires. What to do with all that new indoor space.
· Season… we were there at just the right time… weather… availability. Bring back the fruit of the land in the form of our excitement and sharing. God’s hand was upon us, holding back clouds and rain, giving us an amazing opportunity to see, touch, feel and seize the gift given us. After our appointed time there, we returned to our people energized and invigorated. Since that time, I have spent hours talking with people about how great the camp is and how in God’s time we have been moved on to a new land of opportunity.
· Lastly… the valley from which the men collected the grapes was named the Valley of Eschol (cluster). The land we explored has been named Camp Tsungani which means ‘camp that excels all others.’ Indeed.


שָׁלֹם

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.