Accepting an Evil Report
There is a fascinating story in the book of Numbers that is incredibly germane to the church today. However, this story can only be understood if one believes in the truth of the “types and shadows” so frequently employed in Scripture to convey spiritual truth. Paul alludes to this in 1Cor. 10 and the book of Hebrews is replete with multiple references demonstrating how Old Testament figures and events prefigure the spiritual realities found in Christ. The truth is, everything we read in the Old Testament in one way or another points to Christ and the church.
In Numbers chapters 13 and 14, we have what should have been a glorious account of Israel surveying the Promised Land for the first time. This should have been an occasion for rejoicing and celebration since God’s message had always been, “I brought you out to take you in.” Their deliverance from slavery in Egypt wasn’t just about getting free from that situation. It was entirely about getting them into the Promised Land. This truth was so absolute that there was no reason to come out of Egypt if the intent was not to culminate in the Promised Land. Consider the following passages:
“So I have come to rescue them from the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own good and spacious land” (Ex. 3:8 NLT).
“I promise to rescue you from the oppression of the Egyptians. I will lead you to the land now occupied by the Canaanites…” (Ex 3:17 NLT).
“He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had solemnly promised to give our ancestors” (Deut 6:23 NLT).
In the language of the Apostle Paul, these things all happened to them as “examples.” They were foreshadowing that which was to come. As the deliverance from Egypt portrays salvation, and the experience of the Red Sea water baptism, the entering into the Promised Land also conveys a significant truth.
We see these principal truths illustrated in the main feasts of Israel. Passover was an obvious picture of salvation while Pentecost shows us the coming of the Holy Spirit. The third significant feast culminated the trilogy with the feast of Tabernacles. This brings us to the incredible significance of Israel’s entering and possessing the Promised Land. This also highlights why their reticence to take the land was so odious to God.
At this juncture you have to decide what you believe regarding the Lord’s eternal purpose from eternity past. Was his plan a design for your escape? Did Jesus shed his blood that we might avoid hell and gain heaven? Or, as everything we are seeing here indicates, God had something far more fantastic in mind for us? Many may be puzzled at this point believing nothing could possibly surpass salvation. The point is,it’s not a matter of surpassing salvation but rather of completing it, bringing it to fruition.
God’s ultimate intention was never simply just a rescue mission. It has always been about our growing up into the full stature of Christ, of being completed in him. As our mentor, teacher, and good friend DeVern Fromke always said, “The Father wants many sons and daughters just like Jesus.” This is what gives real discipleship, true following, such impetus. Surrendering one’s life to Christ is just the initial step in the journey meant to lead aspirants into full stature life in Christ.
Going back now to our previous examination of Numbers, we can begin to appreciate the seriousness of Israel’s resignation to pursue the taking of the land. Possessing the Promised Land wasn’t Israel’s idea, it was God’s plan from eternity past. We see this expressed by Jesus when he said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master…” (Matt 10:24,25 NKJV). To resist this was and is telling Almighty God that he cannot have the eternal desire of his Father’s heart.
We see the horrible depiction of this in our type and shadow in Numbers. Following the searching out of the new land and verifying the truth of all God had promised Israel, the people chose to accept the report rendered by ten of the spies. Even though they brought evidence of the land’s goodness while witnessing to it, they gave an evil report. The word “evil” used here in the Hebrew means “slander and calumny.” Having seen what God said about the land was accurate, the spies still chose to besmirch the name of God using defamatory and slanderous language.
The children of Israel having received the evil report, Moses and Aaron pleaded with them not to rebel against God. The leaders were attempting to keep the people from contumacious behavior, from being stubbornly and willfully disobedient to God. Their response was to choose new leaders and stone the old ones. After weighing the evidence, Israel was convinced the Lord had brought them into the wilderness to slay them.
How did God take all this? He said, “How long will this people “provoke” me. The literal meaning from the Hebrew is , “to deride, to despise, to reject with contempt and derision, to give occasion for evil speaking.” This is so horrific we can hardly imagine a people responding in such a manner. Keep in mind, this is all about believers today moving within the saving grace of God unto full stature life in Christ. To deny, resist, or ignore God’s ultimate intention places one in the camp of the rebellious Israelites.
We have examined only one instance wherein the Lord’s glorious plan is displayed through types and shadows. The Bible is replete with examples of God’s desire for his creation. Let’s be instructed by the children of Israel’s folly in this particular circumstance.
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29 KJV)
