Information Gathering

Numbers 13:1,2 “Then the LORD spoke to Moses saying, “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers’ tribes, every one a leader among them.” The Lord wanted them to scope out the land He intended to give them. To learn of the people, were they strong or weak, few or numerous. Were there trees there, what type of produce grew there and so on. He wanted them to have a proper assessment. This is interesting, because it would be this report that would intimidate them and provoke them to doubt The Lord. They must have been ready, otherwise He wouldn’t have sent them. God earlier guided them away from situations that were too difficult. Exodus 13:17 says, “Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” God was aware of what was appropriate for them. By sending the spies, He knew there was the potential for a bad report. It was a test of faith. Almost as if He were saying, “Are you willing to follow even when things get difficult?” God won’t give us more than we can handle. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” This is a wonderful promise. It speaks much of God’s nature and His love towards us. The Lord wants us to be informed. This was a reconnaissance mission: in a military sense as well as future city planning. God had figured that they had seen enough of His miracles that they would believe. They also had seen enough of His discipline that they should have been leary to doubt. He knows how much we can handle. Some times the details aren’t necessary. We are to trust. Other times, such as now, He wants us to know the facts and to lean on Him for the future progress. Part of this means that we need to do our homework. The lazy part of us cringes at the thought of work. By missing the work, we enter into situations blindly. We stumble due to lack of preparation. I’m guilty of this. I put off the work and enter situations with limited preparation. Some times “winging it” works, other times no. The message of diligence from Proverbs comes to mind. 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.” & 12:24, “The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.” Lord, thank You that You won’t give us more than we can handle. Help us to be diligent and not be lazy.