Contemplative Bible Reading

Some thoughts about Bible verses

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Unconvinced

March 7th, 2010 · No Comments

Numbers 14:5-10 (New International Version)

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them.

The twelve spies had visited the land that God promised his people. The spies agreed that the land was bountiful. Ten of the twelve, however, were afraid of the people who lived in the land as “they were giants.” The people’s leaders, Moses and Aaron, and the two spies, Joshua and Caleb, spoke to the people. They concluded with:

…the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.

The people

…talked about stoning them.

I’d say that means they were unconvinced.

It seems that it is much easier to convince people of bad things than it is to convince them of God’s guiding hands. These people had seen amazing things done by God while and since leaving Egypt. Remember all those plagues? Remember the parting of the sea? These people experienced those events.

Still, a majority report of gloom and doom prevailed.

Fear of man and forgetting God are powerful forces.

Tags: Numbers · Old Testament

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