After the Israelites left Hazeroth they went to the Wilderness of Paran. (Numbers 12:16)
Moses sent 12 Israelite spies from the Wilderness of Paran as per God's instructions to spies out the Promised Land.
Mistake #1 Listening to the Wrong People
When the 12 spies returned 10 of them told the Israelites that they could not conquer their Promised Land because of the following reasons:1. The people in their Promised Land were strong (Numbers 13:28) and stronger than them. (Numbers 13:31)
2. The cities in their Promised Land were large and protected. (Numbers 13:28)
3. There were giants in their Promised Land. (Numbers 13:28)
4. Their Promised Land was surrounded by their enemies because the Amalekites were in the south, the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites in the mountains and the Canaanites lived along the the sea shore and the banks of the River Jordan. (Numbers 13:29)
5. The Israelites were like grasshoppers when they viewed themselves in comparison to the giants and they felt the giants viewed them like grasshoppers. (Numbers 13:33)
However, Caleb who was also one of the spies had a different report and he said to the Israelites, "Let us go at once and take possession because we are well able to conquer it". (Numbers 13:33)
The Israelites chose to believe the 10 spies and they cried the entire night. When Joshua and Caleb tried to convince them that they could conquer the land, they even wanted to stone them. (Numbers 14:10)
Therefore carefully chose the people you listen to and ensure that those you allow to affect the decisions you make are words that are in alignment with what God has already told you.
This presupposes that you have spent some time with God to know what He wants you to do in the current season of your life.
Therefore to avoid to heeding the wrong people, spend time reading God's word and praying so that you can know what He wants you to do.
To learn more read Who Are You Listening To?
If you are a leader, click here to read Bible Management Tips: Pray Before You Speak
Mistake #2 Speaking Against Moses
When the Israelites decided to believe the report of the 10 spies who said that they could not conquer their Promised Land, they complained against Moses and Aaron saying, "If only we had died in Egypt!" (Numbers 14:2)To learn why you should not speak against the people that God has placed in spiritual authority over your life read about what they did in Hazeroth.
Mistake #3 Speaking Against God
Another mistake that they Israelites did when they chose to believe the report of the 10 spies who told them that they could not conquer their Promised Land was that they complained against God by asking "Why has God brought us here to die by war?" (Numbers 14:3) By asking this question, the Israelites spoke against God directly. The Israelites also spoke against God indirectly by saying, "Let us chose a leader and return to Egypt!" (Numbers 14:4) This statement was tantamount to speaking against God because He is the one who brought them out of Egypt by unleashing the 10 plagues on Egypt with His Outstretched arm.
Speaking against God either directly or indirectly is wrong for God asked Moses, "How long will these people reject Me? How long will they not believe Me?
God then pronounced judgement on the Israelites and said, "I will strike them with pestilence and disinherit them." (Numbers 14:12)
Moses interceded for the Israelites, pleaded their case with God and God changed their punishment. (Numbers 14:23)
Click here to read How to Plead Your Case with God
The revised punishment for the Israelites after Moses pleaded their case with God was as follows:
1. Never entering the Promised Land
2. Making their children wander in the wilderness for 40 years
3. Rejecting them
4. Killing the Bad Report Spies
Therefore decide that you will never speak against God even if you do not understand why you are going through what you are going through.
What To Do When You Do Not Know What To Do
Mistake #4 Going without God
When Moses pronounced the revised judgement on the Israelites, they mourned greatly. (Numbers 14:39)
They then rose up early in the morning and went to the mountain top and said, "We will go up to the Promised Land because we have sinned!" (Numbers 14:40)
Moses warned them and told them, "This will not succeed. Do not go up lest you are defeated by your enemies for God is not among you." (Numbers 14:41-42)
Moses continued by saying, "The Amalekites and the Canaanites are there and you shall fall by the sword because you have turned away from God and God will not be with you." (Numbers 14:43)
But the Israelites decided to go up to the mountaintop thought Moses and the ark of the covenant did not leave the camp. (Numbers 14:44)
The result was that the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in the mountain came down, attacked them and pushed them back to Hormah. (Numbers 14:45)
Therefore learn from the Israelites and do not go out to fight spiritual battles if God is not with you.
God had already told them, "You shall know My rejection" (Numbers 14:34) because you have Gathered together against Me. (Numbers 14:35) Moses also told them God is not with you (Numbers 14:42) but they chose to ignore these warnings and went to fight their enemies thinking they could win the battle with their own strength.
They quickly learnt their lesson when the Amalekites and Canaanites defeated them and pushed them back to Hormah.
Instead of going in their own strength, the Israelites should have repented and asked Moses to pray and find out from God what they needed to do to get back in right standing with God.
Therefore if you are in a similar situation, first stop fighting, confess your sins with God and ask Him what you should do next.
They quickly learnt their lesson when the Amalekites and Canaanites defeated them and pushed them back to Hormah.
Instead of going in their own strength, the Israelites should have repented and asked Moses to pray and find out from God what they needed to do to get back in right standing with God.
Therefore if you are in a similar situation, first stop fighting, confess your sins with God and ask Him what you should do next.
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