The Hebrews have successfully escaped from the clutches of the Egyptian army by walking through the parted Red Sea. But have they escaped from all that “Egypt” means — mentally, emotionally, socially, theologically? They had been slaves for generations, put down and held down as inferior, oppressed servants. Now what?

Sure, God was with them, but they weren’t warriors or empire-builders or even impressive. They had seen God’s miracles and received God’s blueprint for how they were to live together (commandments), but had they changed who they were? Did they see themselves as up to the challenge of taking the Promised Land from people described as “giants”?

Evidently not. Read Numbers 14:1-9 to see who said what about their situation. (Why do you think this debate was remembered by the people?) Did some folks seem defeatist? Did others appear naïve? What would you have said or voted for if you were there at that time?

How do you ‘vote’ today when your group or family is confronted with a challenge? Are you one to say, as did Caleb, “We’ve been told to do this, so let’s DO IT!” Or do you hang back waiting for an easier challenge? Make note that none of the nay-sayers made it eventually into the Promised Land.

We will read Psalm 27:1-4 as encouragement.

This Sunday is also the day we confirm the faith confessed by some of our young members. If you were asked to be a part of their instruction team, what would you want them to know about the faith? What would you want them to experience?

I’ll see you Sunday in the Sanctuary at 9. As always, I would love to get your comments or questions. Just click here.