Numbers 14:26-45
Q.1. Was punishment imposed on all Israel? What happened to the spies who brought a bad report? How were Caleb and Joshua rewarded? – (Num.14:26-38)
The people had complained that they would perish in this Promised Land. They preferred … that they had rather died in Egypt or the wilderness (c.f. Num.14:1-4). God dealt out the punishment that they deserved and refused to let them enter the Promised Land (Num.14:28-30). Even as the spies had spent forty days to check out Canaan, so now these complainers would all die in the wilderness, over a span of forty years (Num.14:34-35). However, God made an exception – Your children whom you said would become prey – I will bring them in, and they will know the land you rejected (Num.14:31 c.f. Deut.1:39). Those under twenty years of age were not held accountable (Num.14:29). As for the bearers of bad news who had discouraged the people, they all – died by a plague before the Lord (Num.14:37). God made special provision for the faithful Caleb and Joshua – But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it … But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land (Num.14:24 & 38).
Q.2. Why was the remorse of the people useless? What is the warning for us? – (Num.14:39-45)
The death of the unfaithful spies, and the survival of Caleb and Joshua, drove home the sin of Israel. They responded – … Here we are. We have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the Lord has promised (Num.14:40). However, their remorse over what they had lost was too late. The deed had been done, and the consequences from God were set in stone. Any attempts to go on would not succeed, because the Lord would not be among them (Num.14:41-42). In showing their lack of repentance, many of them then tried to proceed. This brought terrible repercussions from the Amalekites and Canaanites (Num.14:44-45). Wilful disobedience can be fatal. The apostle John warned – If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this (1 Jn.5:16).