Numbers 14:8, 9 If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which flows with milk and honey.… Caleb and Joshua here describe - I. THE CONDITIONS ON WHICH WE MAY EXPECT GOD TO BE WITH US. 1. The unmerited good pleasure of God. "If the Lord delight in us." This is repeatedly mentioned as the origin of God's favour to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 7:7, 8, &c.) and to Christians (Ephesians 1:3-6; 2 Timothy 1:9, &c.). Only provided that this good pleasure is not forfeited by obstinate disobedience or distrust. So that the second condition is - 2. Obedience. "Only rebel not," &c. That generation sinned away the favour of God, though it could not annul his faithfulness. 3. Confidence in God. "Neither fear ye the people." To fear them was to distrust God (Isaiah 8:13, 14; Hebrews 13:6, &c.). II. THE CERTAIN SUCCESS OF THOSE WHO ENJOY THE HELP OF GOD. Caleb and Joshua express their confidence in various ways; e.g., in Numbers 13:30 ("veni, vidi, vici"); verse 8, "he will bring us in;" verse 9, "bread for us," &c. The Canaanites dwelt in fortresses, but God, their strength, was departed from them. Israel dwelt in tents, but Proverbs 18:10. Such confidence we may have, when opposed by foes, human or diabolical, however numerous or powerful. With God on our side we are in the majority (Illus. Exodus 14:13; 2 Kings 6:16: 2 Chronicles 14:11; 2 Chronicles 20:12; 2 Chronicles 32:7, 8; Psalm 46:11; Romans 8:31, &c.). A good illustration may be found in a letter of the Prince of Orange after the fall of Haarlem, in which he says, "Before ever I took up the cause of the oppressed Christians in these provinces I had entered into a close alliance with the King of kings," &c. (Motley's 'Rise of the Dutch Republic,' Part 3. chapter 9). - P. Parallel Verses KJV: If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. |
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