Where To Die

And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

(Numbers 12:16 KJV)

Moses’ psalm I read yesterday piqued my curiosity, so I read a bit more about the Children of Israel and their decision not to go into the land God promised them.

And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? (Numbers 14:2-3 KJV)
Why would they think it have been better to die in Egypt or the wilderness? Why were they concerned about where they would die? God had made - and kept - promises.

Moses, in my opinion, had already made a mistake when sending out the spies.

And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes. (Numbers 13:18-20 KJV)

God had promised them this land, just as He had promised them release from Egypt. Now Moses was looking at that gift to judge whether it was worth it or not? That should have been part of the decision in leaving Egypt. These orders display a doubt that proved very costly. Moses backed away from his leadership responsibilities as well as backing away from God’s command.

It was a good land:

And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. (Numbers 13:27 KJV)

Instead of moving forward, the people whimpered about dying elsewhere – and they did.

Caleb and Joshua tried to convince the congregation:

And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.(Numbers 14:7-9 KJV)

Are we any different? Do we have sufficient faith to know that God has plans in our life? Do we stay in touch with Him in prayer and Bible reading to create that spiritual closeness for communication?  Do we attempt to read His mind instead of listening to His direction? Or do we miss out, facing death without His direction?

I know some of the placed where I missed listening, I just don’t know about what I missed. Fortunately, He is a forgiving God. For that I am grateful and will spend time with Him to learn more.