Numbers 13:1-3, 17-16 - “Exploring the Land”
For a few years I did construction landscaping and one of the first things we would do is to go out and survey the land. We would measure the side and shape of the yard, make notes on the basic topography including trees and structures that would not be moving, house position, slope etc. Then, my boss would take this data, enter it into a drafting program and design the yard for the client. Once the design was approved by the client we would, with the yard blueprints in hand, be given the task of taking this old or undeveloped yard and making it new. Similarly, as we look at chapter 13 of Numbers, God gives the Israelite leaders the task of sending spies into the Promised Land to survey it and bring back a report. Despite the surreal way God has been leading the people by a cloud through the wilderness providing for their every need, he now gives them a very pragmatic and hands-on task. Let us join together in worship this Sunday to think about what it might mean for us to explore the land.
