◄ Numbers 14:3 ►
Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?"
Study Bible
Why is the LORD bringing us into this land
This phrase reflects the Israelites' doubt and fear, questioning God's intentions. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and sovereignty. Historically, this moment comes after the Israelites have witnessed numerous miracles, yet they struggle with trust. The "land" refers to Canaan, the Promised Land, a place of fulfillment and divine promise. This question reveals a crisis of faith, where the Israelites are challenged to trust in God's plan despite apparent obstacles.

to fall by the sword?
The phrase "to fall by the sword" indicates a fear of death and defeat. The Hebrew root for "fall" (נָפַל, naphal) often implies a sudden or violent downfall. This reflects the Israelites' anxiety about the military strength of the Canaanites. Historically, the fear of warfare was significant, as the Israelites were not trained soldiers. This fear contrasts with God's promises of protection and victory, highlighting a lack of faith in His power and provision.

Our wives and children will become plunder
This statement expresses a deep concern for the safety and future of their families. The term "plunder" (בַּז, baz) in Hebrew suggests being taken as spoils of war, a common fate for the defeated in ancient times. This fear underscores the Israelites' vulnerability and the perceived threat to their legacy and continuity. It also reflects a failure to remember God's past deliverance and His promises to protect and prosper them.

Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?
This rhetorical question reveals a longing for the past, despite the harsh realities of slavery in Egypt. The Hebrew word for "better" (טוֹב, tov) implies a perceived goodness or benefit, showing how fear can distort perception. Egypt symbolizes bondage and oppression, yet in their fear, the Israelites romanticize it as a place of safety. This reflects a common human tendency to retreat to familiar, albeit unhealthy, situations when faced with uncertainty. It challenges believers to trust in God's promises and His ability to lead them into a future of freedom and blessing, rather than reverting to past enslavements.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying to the Promised Land.

2. Moses
The leader appointed by God to guide the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants.

4. Egypt
The place of bondage from which the Israelites were delivered, representing their past life of slavery.

5. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God who delivered the Israelites and promised them the land of Canaan.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Promises
Despite the challenges, believers are called to trust in God's promises and His faithfulness, just as the Israelites were called to trust in God's promise of the Promised Land.

The Danger of Looking Back
The Israelites' desire to return to Egypt symbolizes a temptation to revert to old ways when faced with difficulties. Believers are encouraged to press forward in faith rather than looking back to past comforts.

Fear vs. Faith
The Israelites' fear of the unknown led them to doubt God's plan. Christians are reminded to walk by faith, not by sight, trusting that God is in control even when circumstances seem daunting.

The Consequences of Unbelief
The Israelites' lack of faith resulted in severe consequences, including wandering in the wilderness. This serves as a warning about the spiritual consequences of unbelief.

God's Patience and Mercy
Despite the Israelites' repeated complaints, God remained patient and merciful. This highlights God's enduring grace and the opportunity for repentance and renewed faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the Israelites' desire to return to Egypt reveal about their trust in God, and how can this apply to our own lives when we face challenges?

2. How does the pattern of grumbling and fear in Numbers 14:3 compare to other instances in the Israelites' journey, and what can we learn from these patterns?

3. In what ways do we, like the Israelites, sometimes prefer the familiarity of past struggles over the uncertainty of God's promises?

4. How can we cultivate a faith that overcomes fear, especially when God's plans seem unclear or daunting?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's patience and mercy despite your doubts. How can this encourage you to trust Him more fully in the future?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 16:3
The Israelites previously expressed a desire to return to Egypt when faced with hardship, showing a pattern of doubt and fear.

Deuteronomy 1:27
This verse recounts the Israelites' grumbling and lack of trust in God's promise, similar to their complaint in Numbers 14:3.

Hebrews 3:19
This New Testament verse reflects on the Israelites' unbelief as the reason they could not enter the Promised Land, connecting to their fear and doubt in Numbers 14:3.
Sermons
A Repentance to be Repented ofD. Young Numbers 14:1-3
A Warning Against Murmuring and DiscontentBritish Weekly PulpitNumbers 14:1-3
Causeless SorrowHenry, MatthewNumbers 14:1-3
Truths in TearsHomilistNumbers 14:1-3
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
The Sin and Shame of ApostasyE.S. Prout Numbers 14:3, 4
People
Aaron, Amalekites, Caleb, Canaanites, Egyptians, Israelites, Jephunneh, Joshua, Moses, Nun
Places
Egypt, Hormah, Kadesh-barnea, Red Sea
Topics
Better, Bring, Bringing, Death, Egypt, Fall, Hands, Infants, Ones, Plunder, Prey, Return, Strange, Sword, Taking, Turn, Wherefore, Wives, Wouldn't
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 14:3

     8726   doubters

Numbers 14:1-4

     4207   land, divine gift
     5501   reward, human
     6231   rejection of God
     8672   striving with God

Numbers 14:1-9

     5188   tearing of clothes

Numbers 14:2-3

     5928   resentment, against God

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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