26/04/2026
“Our Responses to Different Situations”
Numbers 13:1-3
Preacher: Ptr. Inkyu “Paul” Won
There are four (4) elements of a state:
1. Population
2. Territory,
3. Government
4. Sovereignty
In Leviticus, God gave Israelites the LAW. When He brought them out of Egypt, God promised them a land. In Numbers 13:1-3, God had commanded Moses to send the twelve (12) spies so the Israelites would be equipped to do battle in the land of Canaan. After 40 days of spying, they came back and report to Moises.
The response of 12 spies to Moises:
First report is the 10 out of the 12 spies said, “Indeed the land there is prosperous and beautiful BUT THE PEOPLE THERE ARE GIANTS AND MUCH STRONGER THAN US. THEIR WALLS ARE HIGH TOO. WE CANNOT ATTACK THEM FOR THEY WILL ONLY DEVOUR US; WE ARE JUST LIKE A GRASSHOPPER TO THEM.”
We can see in their response that they are afraid and they are lacking faith and trust in God. They neglect the fact that God is with them in the very beginning of their journey—God has provided food, shelter, and safety. Instead of trusting God, they keep on complaining to Him. Others are crying all night when they heard it. They said that it is better to die in the wilderness than going to the promised land of God.
The 2nd response is the response of 2 spies, Joshua and Caleb. They said to them, “be quiet!” Because all of them are weeping. “Yes the land is prosperous and beautiful. It is also real that the people there are tall and strong BUT GOD IS WITH US, WE CAN DEFEAT THEM…WE CAN DEVOUR ALL OF THEM.”
We can see in their response the trust, faith, and confidence they have to God. That regardless of how strong their enemies are, they still have the confidence that they will defeat them.
But still, people of Israel did not stop complaining. Thus, God heard them and respond, “How long the Israelites will complain and go against me? Don’t they know that I am the One who brought them out of Egypt? If they want to die here, then so be it.” Then Moses begged God not to go against the Lord and he prayed to God, and because of his prayer, God changed His mind. But the 40 days journey to promise land became 40 years, after that, they will die in the wilderness. But God is gracious and compassionate, in the span of 40 years, He still provides for them.
About 2.5 million people died because of their faithless response but Joshua and Caleb entered the promised land.
Brothers and sisters, what would be your response in difficult situations? Are you going to response like the Israelites or complete God’s given mission?
Brothers and sisters, ALWAYS RESPOND WITH FAITH IN GOD.