The congregation as a whole then declared that Joshua and Caleb should be stoned. (Numbers 14:10)
“Only Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh survived those men who went to spy out the land.” (Chronicles 14:38)
Joshua and Caleb argued that their people may go into Canaan because God would provide for them. Not one of their ten other spies thought so at all. Sadly, the minority’s disbelief was forced upon the others. They started moaning about their bleak circumstances after losing all bravery. In fact, their response to Joshua and Caleb’s exhortation to put their trust in the Lord was one of derision and violence. There was a chance that both men would be stoned to death. However, God stepped in and revealed Himself.
The Lord God took the unbelief of the ten spies and the people very seriously. None of them would be allowed to enter the promised land (see Numbers 14:30). Only the next generation would do so. The whole people would wander around the desert for forty years until all the adults had died – apart from Joshua and Caleb. They would enter the promised land because they had remained faithful to God.
The people had tried to kill Caleb and Joshua, but God caused them to be the only ones to survive. This also gave them a great responsibility. They would eventually be the only eye-witnesses of all kinds of miracles and of the covenant ceremony at Sinai. Thus, they also became spiritual leaders for a new generation.
Exist individuals who impart to you their spiritual wisdom and experiences? How does that actually appear in daily life?
