The people of Israel were delivered from Egypt by the mighty hand of God. Performing miracles against Pharaoh, God parted the Red Sea and His people crossed on dry land; not only that, but God also gave them manna in the desert, their clothes grew with them, at every moment of the day there were pillars guiding them on their way through the desert, however, we find in the book of Numbers that they longed to return to Egypt instead of going after the land that God had promised them.
The story of the people of Israel is a fascinating example of how fragile and selective human memory can be. Despite witnessing miracles and divine protection, they often strayed and forgot the wonders they had experienced. Joshua was an exception; that young man was there, and his outlook was not like that of his people. He knew that the same God who had shown such great things could continue to accompany them on the journey that lay ahead until they reached the promised land and God would deliver it into their hands.
Pay close attention to Joshua’s words to the desperate people:
8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.
10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
Numbers 14:8-10
We highlight here Joshua’s words: “We will eat them as bread,” “the Lord is with us.” The people of Israel had lost motivation, faith and hope; they had even forgotten the powerful works of God and all they suffered in Egypt, so they wanted to return to slavery; but Joshua reminds them of essential things about the nature of the God who accompanied them.
Have you stopped believing in the things our God can do? Have you lost faith in His promises? Oh dear reader, He who has promised is faithful; yes, even in your dark moment you must know that Jesus has promised to accompany us on this journey and to be with us until the end of time.