"Everywhere just dry"
"This situation is hopeless no need praying anymore. Let me just manage"
"Nigeria is finished."
Do the above ring a bell? Today we shall be examining a practical example from the scriptures about the power of words and how they can advertently make or mar us. Our focus is from Numbers 13-14. Landmarks in this story will be highlighted but you are encouraged to study this again to get the full picture.
The first scene opens in a mountainous stop in the wilderness, Moses sits calmly his jaw set as he addresses "the chosen 12" from all the tribes of Israel, the young men form a semicircle around him, their chests a tad bit more pushed outwardly as they feel nothing but honor to represent the nation. The task was simple: Go and spy the land of Canaanites. Intelligence report was crucial of they were to possess the promised land.
Moses sent them to scout out the land of Canaan, and said to them, Get up this way by the South (the Negeb) and go up into the hill country, And see what the land is and whether the people who dwell there are strong or weak, few or many,
Numbers 13:17-18 AMPC
Forty days later, the twelve men returned exhausted, howbeit not empty handed, they had goodies enough to make a fruit salad. Moses and Aaron eager to hear their report, sat before them and here's what they said
We came to the land to which you sent us; surely it flows with milk and honey. This is its fruit. But the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw the sons of Anak [of great stature and courage].Amalek dwells in the land of the South (the Negeb); the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea and along by the side of the Jordan [River].
Numbers 13:27,28 AMPC
Caleb and Joshua exchanged glances over the head of their fellow men. Joshua shook his head in exasperation however Caleb stepped forward:
"Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it."
Numbers 13:30 AMPC
However the remaiming ten men would have none of it. "are you out of your mind Caleb, have you forgotten the giants we saw on this trip? Are you so heartless to send the nation to what is clearly a genocide mission"
"But his fellow scouts said, We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are stronger than we are. So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the land which they had scouted out, saying, The land through which we went to spy it out is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
Numbers 13:31-33 AMPCLet's take a break from the story for a while,
Why had influenced Caleb's confidence?
Apparently they had seen the land but the occupants appeared insurmountable. Was Caleb trying to give his Jewish version of "I have a dream" to boost his career as a future civic.rights leader or politician. No! Caleb was informed. He knew the promise that God has given to his fore fathers and he allow that knowledge influence what he said.
Many of us are aware of the promises of God but what happens when we face challenges, trials and persecution? We like these men, shrink back in fear and profess shocking statements that seal our destiny.
Back to our story.
Apparently word has spread over the camp of Israel over what the report of the 'House of Reps' and pandemonium broke forth:
AND ALL the congregation cried out with a loud voice, and [they] wept that night. All the Israelites grumbled and deplored their situation, accusing Moses and Aaron, to whom the whole congregation said, Would that we had died in Egypt! Or that we had died in this wilderness! And they said one to another, Let us choose a captain and return to Egypt.
Numbers 14:1-2,4 AMPC
A lesson here is that our faith, words and profession are contagious. In this era of tiktok memes, Instagram reels and Whatsapp statuses we are to be careful of what we are churning out to our respective audience and what we are also receiving. Be careful to discern what you watch and what you post.
Caleb and Joshua still try to convince the people
Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.
Numbers 14:9 AMPC
What a language! What a confession!
First, observed closely what they called the giants of Anak- bread! Some men called the Anakites bread while these two called them Bread. What are you calling your challenges today? How do you see challenges today
Why did they call them bread?
"the Lord is with us. fear not"
Eureka!
Their confessions were influenced by who they knew and who was with them. They had a sponsor, they had GOD. The same God that parted the red sea and silenced Pharoah was with them.
But all the people had forgotten all these and attempted to stone Caleb and Joshua. In the commotion, the glory of God appeared and that's the key focus today. The Lord spoke,
"Tell them, As I live, says the Lord, what you have said in My hearing I will do to you:
Numbers 14:28 AMPCThe Israelites after a miraculous exit out of Israel and over 40years in the wilderness with promises given to their forefathers, would not see the promised land. They had sealed their lot by the words of their mouth.
Let's see what the Lord said about Caleb
But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.
Numbers 14:24 AMPC
What are you saying today?
What life are you creating today?
For you have what you say
GO ACHIEVE.
Diariesofhopelive@gmail.com
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