◄ Numbers 14:9 ►
Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!"
Study Bible
Only do not rebel against the LORD
This phrase serves as a stern warning against disobedience to God. The Hebrew word for "rebel" is "מָרָה" (marah), which implies a willful defiance or resistance against authority. In the context of Numbers 14, the Israelites are on the brink of entering the Promised Land, yet their fear and lack of faith lead them to consider returning to Egypt. This rebellion is not just against Moses and Aaron but directly against God, who has demonstrated His power and faithfulness repeatedly. Historically, this moment is pivotal as it reflects the recurring theme of Israel's struggle with faith and obedience, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament.

And do not be afraid of the people of the land
The command to not fear is a recurring biblical exhortation, often linked with trust in God. The Hebrew word for "afraid" is "יָרֵא" (yare), which can mean to fear, revere, or be in awe. Here, it specifically addresses the Israelites' fear of the Canaanites. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Canaanites were indeed formidable, with fortified cities and advanced military capabilities. However, the call is to trust in God's promise and power rather than be intimidated by human strength.

because we will devour them
The imagery of devouring suggests complete victory and consumption. The Hebrew word "לָחַם" (lacham) is often used in the context of warfare and battle. This phrase is a bold declaration of faith, asserting that with God's help, the Israelites will overcome their enemies. It reflects the confidence that comes from knowing God's promises and His past deliverance.

Their protection has been removed
The phrase indicates a divine intervention where the Canaanites' defenses are rendered ineffective. The Hebrew word for "protection" is "צֵל" (tsel), meaning shadow or covering. This suggests that any perceived strength or security the Canaanites have is nullified by God's will. Historically, this reflects the belief that God controls the fate of nations and can alter the course of history according to His purposes.

and the LORD is with us
This assurance of God's presence is central to the faith of Israel. The Hebrew name for God here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. Theologically, this is a reminder that God's presence is the ultimate source of strength and courage. Throughout Scripture, the presence of God is synonymous with blessing, guidance, and protection.

Do not be afraid of them!
The repetition of the command not to fear underscores its importance. The Israelites are called to a higher perspective, one that sees beyond the immediate threats to the reality of God's sovereignty. This echoes the biblical principle that faith in God should dispel fear, as seen in passages like Isaiah 41:10 and Psalm 27:1. The historical context of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is a testament to the power of faith over fear, a lesson that continues to inspire believers today.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The people of God who were delivered from Egypt and are now on the brink of entering the Promised Land.

2. Joshua and Caleb
Two of the twelve spies sent to scout the land of Canaan. They are the only ones who trust in God's promise and encourage the Israelites to take possession of the land.

3. The Promised Land (Canaan)
The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It represents God's faithfulness and provision.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who has promised to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites.

5. The Canaanites
The inhabitants of the land of Canaan, perceived as giants and formidable foes by the other ten spies.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Promises
Just as Joshua and Caleb trusted in God's promise to give them the land, we are called to trust in God's promises in our lives. His word is reliable and true.

Do Not Fear
Fear can paralyze and prevent us from stepping into God's plans. We are encouraged to overcome fear by focusing on God's presence and power.

Rebellion Against God
Rebellion is a serious offense against God. It stems from disbelief and distrust. We must guard our hearts against rebellion by cultivating faith and obedience.

God's Presence is Our Assurance
The assurance of God's presence should embolden us to face challenges. Knowing that God is with us provides the courage to move forward in faith.

Spiritual Warfare
The removal of the Canaanites' protection signifies spiritual realities. We are reminded that our battles are not just physical but spiritual, and God has already secured the victory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the faith of Joshua and Caleb challenge your own faith in God's promises today?

2. In what areas of your life are you tempted to fear rather than trust in God's presence and provision?

3. How can you identify and address any rebellion in your heart against God's leading?

4. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's presence in your daily life?

5. How does understanding spiritual warfare change the way you approach challenges and obstacles?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 1:29-31
Moses recounts the same event, emphasizing God's presence and past deliverance as reasons not to fear.

Joshua 1:9
God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, reinforcing the promise of His presence.

Psalm 118:6
The psalmist declares confidence in the LORD, echoing the sentiment of not fearing man.

Hebrews 13:5-6
The New Testament reiterates the assurance of God's presence and the call to live without fear.
Sermons
Moses Standing in the Breach, or the Power of Intercessory PrayerW. Binnie Numbers 14:1-20
The Could not Enter in Because of UnbeliefW. Binnie Numbers 14:1-45
A Noble Effort to Arrest a Nation's RebellionW. Jones.Numbers 14:6-9
An Encouraging DeclarationJ. Burns, D. D.Numbers 14:6-9
The Boldness and Fidelity of Joshua and CalebGeorge Breay, B. A.Numbers 14:6-9
Speaking Out: a Last AppealD. Young Numbers 14:6-10
With God on Our Side We are in the MajorityE.S. Prout Numbers 14:8, 9
People
Aaron, Amalekites, Caleb, Canaanites, Egyptians, Israelites, Jephunneh, Joshua, Moses, Nun
Places
Egypt, Hormah, Kadesh-barnea, Red Sea
Topics
Afraid, Aside, Bread, Defence, Defense, Departed, Fear, Prey, Protection, Rebel, Removed, Strength, Swallow
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 14:9

     2227   Immanuel
     6222   rebellion, against God

Numbers 14:1-9

     5188   tearing of clothes

Numbers 14:6-9

     5064   spirit, emotional

Numbers 14:8-9

     8021   faith, nature of

Numbers 14:8-10

     5048   opportunities, and salvation

Numbers 14:9-12

     8705   apostasy, in OT

Library
Moses the Intercessor
'Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.' --NUM. xiv. 19. See how in this story a divine threat is averted and a divine promise is broken, thus revealing a standing law that these in Scripture are conditional. This striking incident of Moses' intercession suggests to us some thoughts as to I. The ground of the divine forgiveness. The appeal is not based on anything in the people. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Weighed, and Found Wanting
'And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2. 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! 3. 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? 4. And they said one …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Order and Argument in Prayer
It is further observable that though a good man hastens to God in his trouble, and runs with all the more speed because of the unkindness of his fellow men, yet sometimes the gracious soul is left without the comfortable presence of God. This is the worst of all griefs; the text is one of Job's deep groans, far deeper than any which came from him on account of the loss of his children and his property: "Oh that I knew where I might find HIM!" The worst of all losses is to lose the smile of my God. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 12: 1866

The Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. 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; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan

Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 11, 33-36. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon was first printed in 1535, at Wittenberg.] 1. This festival requires us to instruct the people in the dogma of the Holy Trinity, and to strengthen both memory and faith concerning it. This is the reason why we take up the subject once more. Without proper instruction and a sound foundation in this regard, other dogmas cannot be rightly and successfully treated. The other festivals of the year present …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own …
James Denney—The Death of Christ

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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