This is such a difficult Chapter to read and understand. The people are so distraught by the message of the 10 spies inspiring terrifying fear, that they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” And the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Numbers 14:4, 10. It got so out of hand. Really, go back to Egypt? Would they find good food and shelter there? Egypt was left devastated by its’ own arrogance against God. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. v. 10. I think that’s why I have such a problem understanding the people. They had the Lord’s Presence going with them and He is the One who protected them. The Lord was ready to destroy them and start over with Moses. I honestly couldn’t blame Him, but I couldn’t help but ask Him in prayer would that have made a difference? We are all of us so human. Am I any different, really, in 2022?

The people imagined the worst happening to them and how often do I do that? As I thought about that, I felt buffeted and battered by a sea swell of worries; there were large planks of wood hitting me and I could feel my heart race in response to what was only imagined and not real. As I prayed, He reminded me in this world there is trouble and in my heart and mind my worries, real and imagined, buffet me magnifying the darkness. Come out of the darkness. In His Presence is light.

He has been leading me gently to realize that I trust Him. I trust God for everything. There is such peace in that.

Moses pleaded with God to forgive the people. “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ (Exodus 20:5) In accordance with your great love, forgive the sins of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” v. 17-19. And God’s response to Moses? The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times – not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors.” v. 20-23. Remember, they not only rebelled against God but wanted to stone Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb…they wanted to return to enslavement.

Can you imagine the heightened emotions of the people? In all honesty, in this present day and age, it’s not hard to imagine at all. The ten spies were struck down with a plague v. 36. And what did the people do the next morning? Did they think about what had happened and turn to God asking for help? They were ready to disobey God once again and forcefully go into the Promised Land God had just forbidden them to enter for 40 years until each one 20 years old and older, except for Joshua and Caleb, had died. Can you imagine the result?

The glory of the Lord fills the whole earth. I loved in the insert of this Chapter how it highlighted Caleb. Caleb was not so much a man of great faith as a man of faith in a great God! That makes all the difference! We have a great God and when we open our hearts and minds to see that…we understand that we can trust Him for everything. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7.

The Lord is near…the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth. He is the only One who can fill your heart with peace in every storm…real and imagined. Take His hand. He’s here.