Theme: DIALOGUE
Text: “Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness” – Numbers 14:15,16.
Comment: Following the evil report brought by 10 of the 12 spies Moses sent into the land of Canaan, many of the people murmured against God and their leaders saying it would have been better for them to have died in Egypt. (Numbers 14:2, 3) The efforts of Joshua and Caleb to abate their wrath proved futile. In response to their lack of faith, the Almighty God wanted to destroy them. But the prayer of Moses averted what would have been a calamity for the rebellious children of Israel. “And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word”. (Verses 19, 20) Consequently, the Almighty God did not destroy the people at once but said He would do so gradually such that none of those who were 20 years and above, who were guilty of murmuring against Him, would reach the land of Canaan. The story also pointedly highlights the dangers that befall people of God when they become faithless. Faith, our Saviour said, could move mountains. Scripture says “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” – Matthew 21:21, 22.