What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.1 When God had rescued the Jews from Pharaoh’s harsh rule and showed them the promise land, the 10 spies came back with a bad report; only Caleb quieted the people before Moses and encouraged them to occupy the land for they would be able to overcome it.2 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”3 Perhaps they were settled in their ways; and were adverse to change. The familiar desensitizes; thus, we settle even for a life of bondage than freedom for freedom requires work. Then we conjecture our own rationale, reason, even philosophical views to justify our choice.
God is explicit in stating that there are weightier truths. And it is important that we consider what is important to us that we may stand firm when the shaking comes. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.4 The most important [commandment] is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”5 Interestingly, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5, but added the mind (although already implied with soul) to emphasize that we need to be critical thinkers. What is it to be salt and light?6 We need to know what God has written and to abide in his word.7 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.8 Truth is what sets us free.9
[Caleb] said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. IF the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. ONLY do not rebel against the LORD.10 We have to ask ourselves, “What delights the LORD?”
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.11 Throughout the Bible, 2 themes are evident—the fear of the LORD and his unfailing love.
What does it mean to fear the LORD? Fortunately, it is written for us: The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.12 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.13 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.14
The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation. Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”15 “. . . remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD your God.”16
Notes:
1. Ecclesiastes 1:9
2. Numbers 13
3. Numbers 14:4
4. Matthew 6:33
5. Mark 12:29-30
6. Matthew 5:13-16
7. John 15:4-7
8. John 17:3
9. John 8:31-32
10. Numbers 14:7-9
11. Psalm 147:10-11
12. Proverbs 8:13
13. Proverbs 14:2
14. Matthew 6:24
15. Numbers 14:18-19
16. Numbers 15:39-41
