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The promise was conditional. If they would behave a certain way, then God would give them the land. It is clear that Joshua understood this from his statement he makes later in Numbers 14.
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And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh . . . spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “ . . . If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us - a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” (NASB) Numbers 14:6-9 |
Lesson For Us. God tested them just as He tested Abraham (Gen. 22:1). God had tested them before in Exodus 16:4 and they failed. God is in the business of testing us (Prov.17:3) today. Have you had a sense you were being tested? They were! The promise of God did not mean they trusted Him. Someone once said, "Every promise in the book is mine." But it does not mean much if one does not trust Him and act accordingly, since many promises are conditional. God may promise, but man often doubts.
Conclusion: The problem is our heart. He wants us to be seeking Him (Ex. 33:12-13; Deut. 12:5; Ps. 9:10; Ps. 105:4; Jer. 29:13) and loving Him (Matt. 22:37). He is testing our heart.
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The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts. (NASB) Prov. 17:3 |
The question is, "How will each of us respond to Him during our next test?" |
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