God promised Israel more than deliverance from oppression. They were promised a land where could flourish and reach their fullest potential.
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The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders." Numbers
13:1-2
Moses knew when that although the land was “promised” to them by God, they were going to have to work to obtain it. That’s why he sent them on a “factfinding” mission.
“When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, "Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." – Numbers 13: 17-20
The group that explored the area spent a lot of time in the area before returning back with their report.
“At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.” Numbers 13:25
Moses choice of representatives was not arbitrary and was designed to bring back a blueprint of their conquest of the land. However, ten of the spies were unable to overcome their feelings of inferiority.
"And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.
They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the
Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Numbers 13:32-33
Discussion: How do we guard ourselves from falling victim to a slave mentality when confronted by obstacles?
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Best Self Tenet:
The object of life is to flourish. Our inner divinity gives us the natural inner drive to attain the highest expression of our humanity. Best Self Theology exists to facilitate human flourishing.”
Next Week: Chapter 14: “The Lord is with Us!”
Historical Background:
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