Leaving behind his father’s inheritance in Harran, Abram had journeyed south to the land of the Canaanites, between the Jordan and the Great Sea. As he camped at Shechem, under the Oak of Moreh, the LORD appeared to him: “To your offspring I will give this land.”

Over a century later, Abram’s grandson was in southern Canaan, offering sacrifices, when he received his own vision: “…Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will bring you up again…”

You’ve heard these stories. You’ve also seen with your own eyes the power of the LORD before Pharaoh. You saw the locusts, the hail, the darkness; you heard the cries of the mothers; you saw the sea part and water flow from the rock and food fall from the sky. Entire generations died in slavery, no closer to their inheritance than when they were born. Ours is the generation that will see all the promises fulfilled.

But you also heard the report of the spies. A land that “flows with milk and honey…” but where “the people are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large.” Descendants of Anak – giants, of the Nephilim – and tribes of warriors filled the land that “devours its inhabitants.”

And you heard Caleb’s response: “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it!”

Remember the complaint cycles of chapters 12 and 13. Remember the promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For 400 years you’ve heard the stories. Why would the LORD lead us this far, only to bring us to ruin? And what would it say about the LORD if He did? Does He truly have the power, authority, and integrity to fulfill His promises?

Our verse for this week is Ephesians 5:2: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Numbers chapters 14 and 15. Now let’s read it!

Day 48 Guided Podcast