Justin Houtz

Numbers 12-13, Psalm 49, Isaiah 2, Hebrews 10

DateVersionReading Plan
@May 5, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Numbers 12-13

Numbers 13:30–32 (ESV) 30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” 31 Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” 32 So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height.

The difference of attitude between Caleb and the men who had gone up with him is substantial. Caleb addressed Moses with great confidence that they should go immediate to occupy the land while the other men were fearful and brought a bad report of their scouting. We learn in the next chapter of the consequences of this false report and the grumbling among the people that “not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.” (Num. 14:30). Caleb here exemplifies the integrity and boldness of faith we are to exhibit as we enter into difficult circumstances.

Psalm 49

Psalm 49:13–14 (ESV) 13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.

This dovetails nicely with the reading in Numbers 13 in terms of the confidence we are to have. Caleb had wise confidence that God would be with them in the occupation of the land, but the psalmist here warns of foolish confidence that will appoint its proponents for Sheol. Wise confidence is sourced in God’s Word and carried out in our steadfast obedience to the truth contained therein.

Isaiah 2

Isaiah 2:12 (ESV) 12 For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;

The LORD of hosts has a Day on which judgment will be made against the lofty and proud. Everyone lifted up in this world will be brought low. It is always sobering to be reminded that the Day of the Lord is immanent. We can so easily proceed in our day-to-day with a working understanding that things as we know them will continue indefinitely. It is difficult to conceive of a fully redeemed world, vanquished of all sin and iniquity, living in perfected bodies in the direct presence of God. Despite our inadequacy of full comprehension, the glory to come is due our frequent reflection.

Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV) 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

The confession of our hope is eternal salvation in Christ on which we are to hold fast without wavering. His promises are true because He is ever faithful. The steadiness of our faith is directly tied to how anchored we are to the foundation of Christ and to the truth of the gospel.

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