Scripture Reading: Numbers 14:26–35

Introduction

A. In our ongoing search for lessons from the Old Testament, let’s see what can be learned from Israel’s wandering in the wilderness.

B. Instead of repeating the mistakes that caused Israel so much misery, let us seek to learn from them (1 Corinthians 10:1–12).

Discussion

I. We learn to trust God and His word.

A. We learn that God always means exactly what He says (Exodus 16).

B. When God is with us, we can only defeat ourselves (Numbers 13:31–33; 14:8–9; 23:8; 25:1–3; Revelation 2:14).

C. We see confidence in the Lord when the land was divided before the conquest (Numbers 34–35).

II. We learn to be content with what God has given us.

A. We should be content with His provisions for us (Numbers 21:4–6; 1 Timothy 6:7–8).

B. We should be content with His station for us (Numbers 16:1–10, 28–35; Philippians 4:11–12).

C. We learn that complaining will get us nowhere (Numbers 11:1–6; 14:29; 16:41–50; 21:4–6).

Conclusion

A. We also learn that even the most faithful make mistakes (Numbers 20) and that it is vitally important to honor God’s choices (Numbers 16–17).

B. Just as Israel failed to enter the rest that God had promised because of their unbelief, we can fall short if we are not attentive to the faith (Hebrews 3:16–4:3).

C. May we not be among those who “run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah” (Jude 11)!