The Lord let us know, through the writings of the Apostle Paul, that the things which happened to people in the Old Testament happened not only for their instruction, provision, and discipline, but also for ours:
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:6-11 NKJV
So let’s use Moses and the twelve spies for our example. God instructed Moses to choose men, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, to spy out the land of promise. The men were to be leaders; men who were recognized for their position and ability. Men who would gather information about their new homeland and its inhabitants, and return with samples of its produce. Men who would mix the gathered facts with what they already knew in their heart; that God is faithful and true. Men who would influence their nation to follow after God.
God gave them 40 days of promises; time to meditate on all that He had promised.
The word translated “spy” means, “to meander about, especially for trade or reconnoitering.”
Reconnoiter. I like that word. It means, “To go to a place, or area, in order to find out information about a military enemy: to do reconnaissance.” In other words, the twelve leaders’ mission was simply to gather the facts and report them to Moses and the others. And by doing so, the rest of Israel could gain the much needed support for their faith to help them actually possess the promises they had been hearing about the past several generations.
Support for faith. It’s something all of us need if we’re to possess the promises of God. And that’s the reason for this series of posts.
Think of this reading material as a type of reconnoitering; looking at the land God has already promised. Examining its impact on our way of living. Seeing the faithful God in a whole new light. Understanding His love and great desire to impact our lives for good, and for eternity.
Sure, there may be things that appear much too large; impossible, even.
But the Lord does not say one thing and mean something different. He is, among many other things, faithful and true.
One huge lesson we can take away from the spies of old: look at life through the eyes of faith in God. Mix faith with the promises of God. Don’t be overwhelmed with the size of the enemy, the problem, or whatever. God didn’t send them into the land to investigate the prowess and power of the enemy; but to witness the greatness of His Glory against the backdrop of impossibly.
40 Days of Promises. An opportunity to examine the “land of promise”, dream the dreams of God for your life, and, hopefully, by mixing faith with the promises, personally experience God’s handiwork and power.
And just imagine the joy you’ll have in telling others about the land of God’s promises.
Jan Grace 