There are some that say the story of Exodus in the Old Testament is, kind of, like the Spiritual journey of a Christian. That is, the coming out of Egypt is conversion, perhaps the parting of the Red Sea is baptism, the time in the wilderness represents the struggle that we have between our flesh and the Spirit and the promised land is (not heaven) but a place of milk and honey that the Lord has for us, perhaps representing relationship with(and rest in) our Heavenly Father rather than the material things of life.
Well, there are a few good things that we can draw from this analogy and a few problems, not least of which is the whole original generation that left Egypt never entered the promised land (except for Caleb and Joshua) because of their disobedience and their refusing to believe. That’s a scary thought!
There is one part though, that is speaking to me at the moment where the people of God reach the Promised Land (the first time) and Moses sends out 12 scouts to ‘explore’ it.
The story is captured in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. Read it! It is a great read. Allow me to draw some things out of these verses.
At the start of Numbers chapter 13 Moses sends out 12 scouts (one from each tribe). They explore and come back fearful because they have seen giants living in the Promised Land. All except Caleb and Joshua that is. Here is what they have to say…
Numbers 13:30
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” NIV
Numbers 14:6-9
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” NIV
Then the Lord said to His people(excluding Caleb and Joshua)…
Numbers 14:11-12
11 The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.” NIV
Moses appeals to the Lord and so the Lord has the people wander around in the desert for 40 years to die out because of their what? – because of their UNBELIEF!
You see, there were giants in the land that they needed to conquer before they could take possession of the Promised Land. Sure, they couldn’t do it in their own strength but that was the Lord’s plan all along. To believe in Him, to trust and obey Him to conquer the giants.
What giants do we have in our lives that need to be conquered by trust and obedience to our Heavenly Father. Are we to never reach the Promised Land because we treat the Lord with CONTEMPT and UNBELIEF?
Think and prayer about this.
Blessings
Steve
Enlightened Hope 
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