BIBLE READING: Numbers 24-26
In Numbers 1, God commanded Moses to take a census of the people, and then 38 years later, in chapter 26, God commanded him to take another one. In both, all men 20 years of age and older who were fit for military service were counted. The census was used to determine the size of each tribe’s inheritance in the Promised Land, while casting lots determined their geographic location.
After the spies went into the land in chapter 14 and the people lamented the size and perceived threat of the people already living there, God said, “they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it” (Num. 14:23). When these 2 censuses are compared, we see that the number of Hebrews had remained almost exactly the same, showing God’s faithfulness. As the older generation was passing away, a new generation was being brought up. Caleb and Joshua were the only two males blessed by God and allowed to go into the Promised Land.
So how did these two men secure the blessing of God? They were the only two of the twelve, sent into the Promised Land, who believed that God would take them safely into Canaan. Because of their vision and belief in God’s promises, these two men of faith enjoyed many more adventures as they continued to serve the Lord for years to come. How we need God’s blessing on our lives. We cannot be a blessing to others unless we have experienced God’s blessing on our own lives first.
God remembers faithfulness and still blesses those who faithfully serve Him. If we want God’s blessings, we need to be both faithful and obedient to the Lord. When God sends us on a venture in faith, we need to stay close to Him and be obedient to His direction found in His Word (the Bible). Twelve men went together and looked at the same geography and inhabitants. Ten saw only impossible barriers. But the other two saw opportunity to adventurously serve God. How is your spiritual vision today? Do you expect God to bless your life or do you only see impossible barriers? -Selected