Numbers 13:1-20 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,… I. THE ORIGIN OF THIS EXPEDITION (cf. Deuteronomy 1:20-25). 1. God had Himself declared to them the excellence of the land (Exodus 3:8; Exodus 33:3). 2. He had promised to guide them to the land (Exodus 32:34; Exodus 33:2, 14). Moreover, He was visibly present with them in the majestic pillar of cloud and fire. 3. He had promised to drive out the heathen nations and give them possession of the land (Exodus 23. 20-33; Deuteronomy 1:8). 4. He commanded them to "go up and possess" the land (Deuteronomy 1:8, 21). 5. Yet their answer was, "We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the laud," &c. (Deuteronomy 1:22). Clearly their duty was not to send men to search out the land, but trusting in God, to obey His voice and go and take possession of the land. God may allow us to carry out our unbelieving plans to our own confusion. If we will "lean unto our own understanding," He will let us take our way until we find what utter folly our fancied wisdom is. II. THE AGENTS IN THIS EXPEDITION. "Of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them," &c. (vers. 2-16). Three points here require notice. 1. The wisdom of this arrangement. (1) in sending one man from each tribe. By this arrangement every tribe would have a witness of its own. (2) In sending a leading man from each tribe. They were approved men of influence, and therefore their testimony would be the more likely to be credited. 2. The scarcity of worthy leaders. We see here that a large proportion of even these leading men, these "rulers" and "heads of the children of Israel," were unworthy of the position which they occupied. 3. The diversity of human fame. The names of these twelve men have been handed down to the present time; but how different are the positions which they occupy! History perpetuates the memory of Nero as well as of St. Paul, of Judas Iscariot as well as of Jesus Christ. We are making our posthumous reputation now; let us take heed that it be of a worthy character. III. THE AIMS OF THIS EXPEDITION. They were to report as to the condition of — 1. The land, whether it was fertile or barren, whether it was wooded or bare, &c. 2. The towns, whether they were walled and fortified or open and unprotected, &c. 3. The people, whether they were strong or weak, whether they were few or many, &c. IV. THE SPIRIT APPROPRIATE TO THIS EXPEDITION. "And be ye of good courage." (W. Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, |
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