ABOUT FACE
Fifth of six devotions in Proud Insolence series
Numbers 13:17-14:45
Numbers 14:1-3: “That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in the desert! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us die by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?’”
“Scaredy cats!” Twelve-year-olds Jeremy and Brad yelled to the boys who ran the opposite direction from the swimming pool.
Thunder clapped. Lightning streaked threats at the public pool.
Being frightened can encourage people to act bravely.
The Israelites in the opening Scripture were too scared to enter and take possession of the Promised Land. False bravery claimed, “If only we had died in Egypt!”
Not!
Death as slaves is never better than being free and living in a country of our very own.
Proud insolence wears many masks. Scared is one mask that can either hide rudeness or pride. The first spies Moses sent to Canaan returned with good reports about the land and its fruit. But the bad reports totally overshadowed the good. Fortified cities occupied with giants who ate inhabitants! (Numbers 13:25-32).
Moses writes the lesson linked below where God foretells the spy’s future.
The second time spies returned with a different report—many years later and under a different leader. This time, Rahab became a friend of Israel (Joshua 2:1). She hid the spies and made a deal with them that saved her entire household (Joshua 2:2-24).
The new spies’ about face happened through a personal interaction about an awesome God. Rahab believed and confessed, “I know that the LORD has given this land to you. … We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea. … and what you did to Sihon and Og, … whom you completely destroyed. … When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you.” (Joshua 2:9, 10, 11).
But the most awesome about face comes when God transforms people through His indwelling Spirit. Proud and rude becomes a Christian who follows Jesus!
Take Home Nugget
Mosab Yousef was raised in Hamas. He became a founding member of that terrorist group who claimed responsibilty for countless suicide bombings and deadly attacks in Israel. Today, Mosab is a Christian living in USA.
After studying the Bible, Mosab did an about face. He changed his faith, his values—and his entire life—becoming a spy for Israel.
Holy Father, strengthen me to act on confessed faith, as Rahab and Mosab did. Amen.
Adapted from “Complete Turnaround“ by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. www.HolyLandMoments.com. June 16, 2017.
J.D. Griffith
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