Numbers 14:6-10: a reflection

6Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes. 7They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8If 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. 9Only don’t rebel against the LORD, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them, and the LORD is with us. Don’t fear them.” 10But all the congregation threatened to stone them with stones. The LORD’s glory appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel.

When the spies return from the promised land, most of them spread fear, insisting the people are too strong to face. But two, Joshua and Caleb, tear their clothes and plead with the whole congregation to trust God: The land is exceedingly good. If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into it. Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not fear the people of the land, for the LORD is with us. Do not fear them. For this stand of faith against the frightened crowd, the people threaten to stone them.

Notice the courage of Joshua and Caleb. The whole congregation had given way to fear, convinced the obstacles were too great; and against that frightened majority, two men stood and urged trust in God, at real risk to themselves. They did not measure the situation by the size of the enemy, but by the presence of God: the LORD is with us, do not fear. And they held to that faith even when the crowd turned on them.

That is a courage we often need. When those around us give way to fear, convinced that the obstacles are too great, it takes courage to stand and say that God is with us, that what he has promised he can do, that we need not be ruled by fear. And such a stand can be unpopular, even costly, when the frightened crowd would rather not hear it. Be a Joshua or a Caleb. When fear sweeps over those around you, hold to faith in God's presence and promise; do not measure your situation only by the size of the obstacle, but by the God who is with you. Have the courage to trust, and to encourage others to trust, even when it means standing against the fearful crowd. The LORD is with his people; do not fear.

Lord, when the whole congregation gave way to fear, Joshua and Caleb stood and pleaded with them to trust you, saying, the LORD is with us, do not fear them; and for that stand of faith the crowd threatened to stone them. Give me their courage. When those around me give way to fear, convinced the obstacles are too great, help me stand and hold to faith in your presence and promise, not measuring my situation only by the size of the obstacle, but by you who are with me. And when such a stand is unpopular or costly, when the frightened crowd would rather not hear it, help me hold to faith all the same, and to encourage others to trust you. Make me a Joshua or a Caleb, unafraid to trust you and to call others to do the same. You are with your people; help me not to fear, and to say so even against the fearful crowd.