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Numbers chapters 13 and 14 mark a particularly important time in the life of the nation of Israel. The newly formed nation had left Egypt and was headed to the promised land. In the 13th and 14th chapters, the Bible records that they arrive at the borders of the promised land. 

At the beginning of chapter 13, the Word of God tells us that one man from each of the tribes of Israel would enter into the promised land to search it out.  In verses 5-16, we are then given the list of those who would enter into the land. The instructions in verse 2 simply tell us that these men were to search the land. The men who were chosen were rulers of each of these tribes. These leaders represented the entire nation. 

In verse 25, they return from their search of the land after 40 days. And what did they find? The verses that follow first vindicate what the Lord had told Moses and what Moses had told the people about the land. It was, just as God had said, a good land, flowing with milk and honey. They also brought up an evil report. 

In verse 32, we read, “And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.”

Could I submit to you that the trouble in these two chapters began long before chapter 14? This catastrophic failure that would lead to the death of an entire generation did not just occur on the day they gave an “…evil report…” A repeated pattern of failures led to this situation. Notice how this instructs us as we take note of the prior chapters in Numbers. 

In chapter 2, we read that “… the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.” If the nation had continued in this way, they would have entered the land, just as God had told them. But as we read the events in chapter 11, we see that some among the people complained and were persuaded by the mixed multitude. (Number 11:1-6). By this, we are reminded that the world and the worldly will not influence us toward Christ, but rather away from Christ. This mixed multitude convinced the rest that what God had provided was not good enough. Even Moses himself falters in his trust in the LORD. In verses 10-15, he complains and gives in to despair.  In verse 21, Moses even questions the LORD’s ability to do what He says He will do, namely, give the troublemakers flesh for an entire month. 

In the very next chapter, we see an even further downward spiral. In chapter 12, Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses (Numbers 12:1-3). You will notice that they believed they had good reason to oppose the man of God. From this, we learn that we can all easily be lifted up in pride and find ourselves in opposition to God. The Psalmist wisely declared that God is the one who gives authority and promotion. In Psalm 75:6-7, we read, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

So what spiritual lessons are we to learn?

1. Small Trials In The Way Are To Prepare Us For The Future 
Had the nation of Israel exhibited virtue in the wilderness, they would have been prepared to enter into the promised land. Their faith in the LORD was not where it needed to be for them to enter into the promised land. The Bible tells us that the trials we face are to “try us” (1 Peter 1:7). They are meant to purify us. The Lord is working in our lives to remove the impurities so that we look more like Him. The Lord is also preparing us for the next step in our journey with Him. 

2. Though Everyone Else Fails, You Do Not Have To
Moses floundered in His faith (Numbers 11). Aaron and Miriam floundered in their faith (Numbers 12). The nation of Israel as a whole floundered in its faith (Numbers 11). Yet, in spite of the dull spiritual climate around them, Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:24, 37-38) exhibited great faith in the LORD. It is amazing that only two people out of possibly 2 million or greater shone brightly for the LORD!

3. Catastrophic Failures Are Preceded By Spiritual Decline
I believe that if the preceding chapters continued to show the nation as a whole carefully obeying the Lord (Numbers 12:34), perhaps we would be reading of their triumphant march into the promised land in chapters 13 and 14. The warning to all of us is to be on guard for spiritual decline. Each of us wishes to be prepared for the major battles of life, so we must remain spiritually strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 2:1-3). 

4.  Having Failed, Return To Obedience
After failing in these sobering chapters, after repentance toward the LORD, the nation should have returned to obedience. Instead, they presumed to enter the land without the LORD’s direction. This resulted in further failure (Numbers 14:39-45). If we have failed the LORD in any area, we must repent of our sin and return to obedience.