In Hebrew, trust is אָמַן (aw-man).
It means to believe, to confirm, support.
In this weeks Torah portion, Sh’lach L’kha we read about the Israelite spies entering Cana’an to take account of the Land of Promise (Numbers 13-14). Here we read about the blessings associated with those who trust in Adonai; in his person, power, and promise.
And here we read of the sobering reality connected with those who do not trust.
You know the story;
12 men, representing each of the 12 tribes of Israel, entered the land of Cana’an to spy it out. This was the land Adonai had to promised to Abraham “The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
After entering the land and finding it to be a beautiful, fertile landscape with fruit trees, flowing with milk and honey, the 12 men returned to the camp of Israel to deliver their report.
All 12 men initially reported the good that they had seen…
But 10 of them began to shrink back in fear when they considered the fierce stature of the inhabitants of the land. They said “the people of the land are giants! We look as small as grasshoppers to them!”. As a result, their good report turned into one that discouraged and frightened the camp of Israel.
2 men stood firm in their good report, trusting in Adonai’s power, provision, and promise for Israel.
Unfortunately, the results of the bad report had already taken its toll and nearly the whole camp was complaining and groaning against Adonai. We read the repercussions of their mistrust in Numbers 14:11, 21-23
Adonai said to Moshe, “How much longer is this people going to treat me with contempt? How much longer will they not trust me, especially considering all the signs I have performed among them?…
as sure as I live, and that the whole earth is filled with the glory of Adonai, none of the people who saw my glory and the signs I did in Egypt and in the desert, yet tested me these ten times and did not listen to my voice, will see the land I swore to their ancestors! None of those who treated me with contempt will see it.”
The blessing of the Land of Promise was revoked because of their lack of trust…
This is a warning to all believers today.
Hebrews 3:16-4:2
Who were the people who, after they heard, quarreled so bitterly? All those whom Moshe brought out of Egypt. And with whom was God disgusted for forty years? Those who sinned — yes, they fell dead in the Wilderness! And to whom was it that he swore that they would not enter his rest? Those who were disobedient. So we see that they were unable to enter because of lack of trust. Therefore, let us be terrified of the possibility that, even though the promise of entering his rest remains, any one of you might be judged to have fallen short of it; for Good News has also been proclaimed to us, just as it was to them. But the message they heard didn’t do them any good, because those who heard it did not combine it with trust.
In contrast, the 2 men who kept faith in Adonai were able to enter into the land at the appointed time. Them, their children, and their children’s children.
Throughout the New Testament, the Land of Promise is linked to it’s spiritual parallel, the New Jerusalem, the City of the King that will descend from the heavens at the end of age as Adonai makes his permanent residence among mankind.
Revelation 21:1-3 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there. Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God.
Let us follow in the example of the two righteous men who entered Cana’an; an example of trust and complete reliance in Adonai, El Shaddai, who is our almighty and all supplying God! And let us receive the blessings promised us according to our trust, namely the place prepared for us in the City of the King. ❤️
Shavua tov, b’shem Yeshua!
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