When it comes to unflattering biblical accounts, the story of the Israelites is hard to beat.

Throughout their journey from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, the Israelites’ worst traits are on full display. They create idols and worship local gods. They threaten Moses with violence. And they grumble constantly. But perhaps no story is as frustrating as the one found in Numbers 13 and 14.

The Israelites are on the doorstep of the promised land. But instead of focusing on God’s faithfulness and following his direction, they choose fear and rebellion. As a result of their disobedience, God tells the Israelites that they will wander in the wilderness for 40 years before they can finally enter their new home.

It’s easy to look at a story like this and wonder: How could the Israelites keep making the same mistakes? But until we realize that we all fall into the same sins, we’ll miss the helpful reminders shared in these passages of Scripture.

4 INSIGHTS FROM THE ISRAELITES

Like every other account shared in the Bible, the story of the Israelites has something to teach us. By taking an honest look at four lessons in this story—and at what we and the Israelites have in common—we can learn how to trust God’s promises in our own lives.

Keep your eyes on God, not on your problems.

Of the 12 Israelite spies who entered Canaan to survey the land, only Joshua and Caleb returned with a faithful report. The other 10 spies spread stories about the intimidating Canaanites, and the Israelites quickly began to focus more on their problems and less on God.

But the men who had gone with Caleb said, “No, we are not strong enough to attack them; the people there are more powerful than we are.” So they spread a false report among the Israelites about the land they had explored. They said, “That land doesn’t even produce enough to feed the people who live there. Everyone we saw was very tall, and we even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. We felt as small as grasshoppers, and that is how we must have looked to them.”

Numbers 13:31-33 GNT

Remember God’s promises and faithfulness to you.

Generations before the Israelites reached Canaan, God had promised their ancestor, Abraham, that his descendants would become a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). The Israelites had seen this promise unfold before their eyes. They watched ten plagues humble the Pharaoh in Egypt (Exodus 7-12). They saw the Red Sea part, walked through the water, and witnessed their enemies swallowed up after them (Exodus 14). They received manna and quail from heaven (Exodus 16). And they had a visible reminder of God’s presence with them in the form of a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21-22).

But instead of focusing on God’s faithfulness and remembering his promises, the Israelites complained.

All night long the people cried out in distress. They complained against Moses and Aaron, and said, “It would have been better to die in Egypt or even here in the wilderness! Why is the LORD taking us into that land? We will be killed in battle, and our wives and children will be captured. Wouldn’t it be better to go back to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt!”

Numbers 14:1-4 GNT

In response to the Israelites’ rebellion, God announced: “But I promise that as surely as I live and as surely as my presence fills the earth, none of these people will live to enter that land” (Numbers 14:21-22a GNT). Instead, they would die in the wilderness, and their descendants would be the ones to see God’s promises to Abraham fulfilled.

Listen to the voices calling you to obedience and faith.

As they began to rebel against God, the Israelites ignored Joshua and Caleb, who pleaded with them to trust God:

And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, two of the spies, tore their clothes in sorrow and said to the people, “The land we explored is an excellent land. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will take us there and give us that rich and fertile land. Do not rebel against the LORD and don’t be afraid of the people who live there. We will conquer them easily. The LORD is with us and has defeated the gods who protected them; so don’t be afraid.”

Numbers 14:6-9 GNT

And even after they heard God’s judgement, the Israelites continued to disobey him. They thought they could avoid 40 years of wandering by rushing to invade Canaan. Moses warned them to stop: “Don’t go. The LORD is not with you, and your enemies will defeat you” (Numbers 14:42 GNT). Sure enough, their army was defeated, and they were driven back into the wilderness.

When you sin, remember that God loves you and promises to show you mercy and forgiveness.

This story is one of Scripture’s many cautionary tales. Through it, God’s Word reminds us to reject fear and discouragement, rest in God’s promises, and heed the godly voices in our lives. Like the Israelites, we all make mistakes and rebel against God. But like them, we are still loved and chosen by God, even in our worst moments.

In God’s response to Moses’s prayer for his people, we see a beautiful picture of the faithful forgiveness both we and the Israelites receive:

“And now, LORD, according to the greatness of your unchanging love, forgive, I pray, the sin of these people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”
The LORD answered: “I will forgive them, as you have asked.”

Numbers 14:19-20b GNT