Day 62: Spies Sent to Canaan

 Today's readings: Numbers 12-13, Deuteronomy 11, and Psalm 94.

I. In the twelfth chapter of Numbers, the sister and older brother of Moses "speak out against Moses," which angered God who defended His prophet. The Lord also struck Miriam with leprosy and healed her after Moses interceded. What's surprising to me is this all sounds like sibling jealousy and Aaron, though the High Priest, wasn't also struck with leprosy to teach him a lesson like happened to Miriam. He was in a position to know even better than her I'd say.

The next chapter finds 12 spies being sent into the land of Canaan, to travel around and report back on what they find. When they return, they report that it is indeed a land "flowing with milk and honey." Ten of the spies then give a fearful report that though rich, Canaan has fortified cities, powerful peoples, and giants, all of which severely demoralized the people. One spy, Caleb, urged the people to trust God and take possession of the land immediately. Yet, the fearful report of the majority struck fear in them.

II. Deuteronomy 11 continues Moses' exhortation to the Israelites to love and obey God, remember His mighty acts, and that they will be blessed for their obedience while there will be consequences for their disobedience.

III. Psalm 94 is one of lament. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

It pleads with the Lord, the divine Judge, to avenge the righteous by repaying the wicked for their crimes (94:1-7); it offers instruction to the wicked and assures their victims that God's justice will triumph (94:8-15); the Psalmist gives personal witness to the Lord's help and consolations in his own life (94:16-22); and the final verse insists that God will punish evildoers for their iniquity (94:23). The dividing line between the righteous and the wicked in this psalm appears to run through Israel, with some of the covenant people violently oppressing others. (p. 912)

That's all for today!