Numbers 14:33-34 "Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. For forty years--one year for each of the forty days you explored the land--you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you."*

As I read this passage two scenes flash through my mind.

In the first scene, I’m about 12 years old, sitting in the bow of a canoe taking boating lessons. I didn’t want to be in the bow. It was a lot more fun to be in the stern, where I could steer. I wanted to be the captain of my own vessel, charting a new course for adventure (small as it was).

In addition, my partner in the stern didn’t have a clue what he was doing. No matter which way we ought to go, he turned the long way around. At first I thought he was confused, but then it happened again, and again, and again. I can’t remember how I convinced him to let me sit in the back, but when we went out again he was up front.

In the second scene, I’m 18 years old, crawling on my hands and knees to strip industrial-strength wax from the floor of a new store at Sunset Campground in Cavendish PEI. Only one day before, I had applied the same wax. The owner told me, "Use a clean mop," so I cleaned one of the mops and went to work. What he meant was, "Go get a new one." Particles of dirt came out of my older mop and were sealed into the new wax in obvious dirty swirls. It took me three days to strip the wax and reapply it. 24 man-hours of wasted time. My boss was good about it, but he wasn’t pleased.

In the first story, I was inconvenienced by my canoe partner. In the second story, I cost the company money and productivity. In both, there was a price to pay by one person because of the actions of another.

How did Joshua and Caleb feel to know that their friends, relatives and neighbours caused them to wander in the desert for 40 more years. Its one thing to know that something I did affects me. A few weeks ago I was building a set of bookshelves and ruined two pieces of wood because I didn’t tighten the router bit correctly. That was OK. I learned my lesson.

It quite another matter when someone does something which affects me. Joshua and Caleb had a 40 year test of character in which they learned to live with the consequences of other peoples’ actions. I have to ask myself, "How would I react?" It would be hard to be gracious as they turned their large caravan back to the wilderness.

Of course, it could have been worse - they could have been buried with their colleagues. Even still, how did they not slip into "grumble mode?" I think there were some things they realized which helped them cope.

They realized that it was not a personal attack. We often perceive these things personally, as if "they" were out to get us. One time someone brought back a responsibility which I thought I had delegated away. I thought to myself, "How could he do this to me?" In fact, he wasn’t doing anything to me. From his perspective he was simply getting rid of a task he couldn’t do.

They realized they would not see the promised land until God said it was time. After God pronounced that only Joshua and Caleb would enter the promised land, the people realized their mistake and tried to go up prematurely. They failed because God was not in it. (Numbers 14:40, 44-45). Joshua and Caleb knew that grumbling would not make it happen any sooner, so they made the best of it.

They realized that delayed promise is not broken promise. We often give up hope when we see promise slipping away. We think no other opportunity will come along. Many become hardened and cynical. I understand the temptation. Joshua and Caleb trusted in God’s faithfulness, however, and knew that God never breaks his word.

They realized that, despite the actions of other people, they still needed to respond out of godliness. This is a mark of maturity - to act properly no matter what other people do.

Joshua and Caleb were special people. There were lots of opportunities to grumble, get even, pine, whine, or bear a grudge. But that’s not what they did. They proved themselves faithful and God brought them across the Jordan River.

Hope this helps. Be OnFire

Troy

ON FIRE is a weekly letter of encouragement by Troy Dennis. This letter published Feb 27, 2006. www.onfireletter.com