Good seed, but bad soil

SUMMARY: The Hebrews had been slaves in Egypt for centuries before God sent Moses to deliver them and bring them to the Promised Land of Canaan. God had prepared this land for them, a land of great abundance, and had decreed that the wicked nations occupying it had to be eradicated for their sins. Centuries before, Abraham had marked these lands for God and his future people. In Numbers 13, the Hebrews are on the brink of entering this blessing, but their unbelief prevents them from receiving it, except for Caleb and Josué, who believed God. We should strive to be like Caleb and Josué, fertile ground for the seeds of blessing that God wants to plant in us.

In chapter 13 of the book of Numbers we have the familiar story of when the Israelites are in the desert, and Moses sends spies to scout the land of Canaan before entering and invading it.

Before coming to the desert, the Hebrews had lived for centuries in Egypt, part of that time as captives. They had been slaves, and in reality God had allowed them to dwell in Egypt only as they grew and became a large and viable people, and then brought them out and into the Promised Land.