Remember: Justice

The Israelites were let straight to the Promised Land, yet they are terrified.  They see the power of their enemy more than they see the power of their God.

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. "If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" they complained. "Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?" Then they plotted among themselves, "Let's choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!" (Numbers 14:1-4 NLT)

Remember Egypt?  Egypt is where they were held in slavery.  Egypt is the place God performed miraculous signs and wonders to break them free.  Egypt has a Pharaoh who’s oldest son is dead, who’s army is drowned in the Red Sea, and who stubbornly fought God until these disasters came down upon him.  Egypt is not the place you want to be at this point in the story.  You want to be with God.

Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, "The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the LORD is pleased with us, He will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the LORD, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don't be afraid of them!" (Numbers 14:5-9 NLT)

Joshua and Caleb got it.  They wanted to be with God.  They wanted the whole Israelite community to walk with God.  They wanted to go into the land promised to them by God.

But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle. And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat Me with contempt? Will they never believe Me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them? I will disown them and destroy them with a plague. Then I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are!" (Numbers 14:10-12 NLT)

How about you?   Have you ever seen the power of your “enemy” as greater than the power of your God?  Have you ever tried to run back into the arms of your “enemy,” only to find yourself running away from God?  Have you ever fought against God?  How did it turn out?  Did you find out that God, being the gentleman that he is, gives you what you ask for AND the results (consequences) for your actions?  Have you encountered the God of justice?