“the minds of the faithless spies” could you tell me where the verse is that compares them? Makes me think of
Galatians 2:4-5 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: [5] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Yes, there were some who had slipped into the congregations who had ulterior motives and that was to undermine the freedom of those who were of the nations in not having to observe Jewish Law. They wanted to bring Gentile believers under a law that was no longer binding on Christ’s disciples, the majority of whom would end up being Gentiles.
But the faithless spies were showing that they were cowards. Imagine seeing the miracle of the manna every day and water issuing from rock to feed and water such a large nation in the harsh wilderness. The Ten plagues on Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea....the victory over mighty nations stronger and more powerful militarily than they were.....and yet the spies who returned from looking over the land that God promised them, wilted at the sight of the Anakim. Out of the 12, only Joshua and Caleb had confidence in Jehovah. Just as the shepherd boy David later had confidence in his God against the giant Goliath.
“the minds of the faithless spies”
Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Yes, Rahab is an example of how Jehovah rewards those who do good deeds to his people. She put her own life at risk to save the spies whom she hid. Her reward was when the city fell, her whole family were spared because she followed through on their instructions to place a red chord out of the window.
So why did this woman risk her life in this way? She had heard of Jehovah and his mighty acts in delivering his people from Egypt, and the victories he had given them over their enemies. She expressed faith in Israel’s God and had proven her faith with actions.
Ten of the twelve spies sent out into the land, had less faith than this prostitute. (Joshua 2:1-21; Numbers 13:25-33; Numbers 14:26-30) They lost their lives through disobedience, she gained hers by doing exactly what she was told to do.
There is the lesson for us....right from the beginning, all Jehovah has asked of his human children was to obey him.....not deviating to the right or to the left, but simply to do as he instructs us....no more, no less.
Do we see where many have failed him in this? Doing what they are told
not to do.....and
not doing what God told them to do....we humans are apparently really bad at learning the lessons from the past, and we have therefore been doomed to repeat them.
Only those “doing the will of the Father” will survive the end of this world system’s end, which we see rapidly disintegrating before our eyes. The judgment, I believe, is not far away. (Matthew 7:21-23)
God is giving us all a wake up call....but are we listening? Soon it will be too late, as it was for the people of Noah’s day. (Matthew 24:37-39) If we are not on board the “ark” we will be perishing with those outside. So where are we? We each need to ask that question.