1 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why has the LORD brought us to this land to ]fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt. 4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”
Numbers 14:1-4
1. All the congregation
a) Just about everyone was affected adversely
b) As fears mounted, Tears flowed freely
2. The old problem of Complaining
a) They complained against Moses
b) They complained against Aaron
3. They questioned the leadership of Moses and Aaron
4. Their sentiments expressed
a) “If only we had died in the land of Egypt!”
b) “Or if only we had died in this wilderness!”
c) “Why has the LORD brought us to this land to ]fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims?”
d) “Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”
e) So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”
RESPONSE OF MOSES AND AARON
Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. Numbers 14:5
1. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces
a) They were stunned by the strong wave of negativity
b) They remained humble
c) But they had no words that could counter their fears
2. There was an impasse
a) The congregation of Israel
b) They confronted Moses and Aaron
RESPONSE OF JOSHUA AND CALEB
6 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they[c] are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.” 10 And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel.
Numbers 14:6-10
1. Joshua and Caleb stood up together strongly
2. They made a strong appeal
a) Positive perception of the land
“The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land”
b) Pleading trust in the Lord
“If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey”
c) Warning against rebellion against God
“Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us.”
d) “Do not fear them.”
i) The people in Canaan are not to be feared for any reason