God gives it to us as He brings our dead hearts to life in Christ. We form our understanding from what God tells us. For this they could be forgiven. What does the passage tell us about faith? We must learn to dream big for God for As A Man Thinks In His Heart, So Is He (Pro. But the most compelling support for my reading comes from other encounters between the Israelites and hostile foreign powers. Thats in their background; they can remember those things. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. Thats the first matter of faith that we have to occupy yourselves with here this morning. Who is this uncircumcised Philistine to defy the armies of the living God? Thats an audacious question, but David was thinking Gods thoughts after Him. Numbers 13:26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadeshin the Desert of Paran. That last sentence is the one that really stands out to me. What year was this posted? For they are stronger than we - , .. We despise Him. Like Grasshoppers. We seemed like grasshoppersin our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.. With the resoureces of Gods Promise, His Provision and His Presence, Christians can overcome the grasshopper complex. In fact, if we humans could jump like they do, we could jump the length of a football field. These spies were defeated before they started. A leader should be a hero. This post presents a new please correct me if Im wrong reading of what the spies in this weeks parsha mean when they say that they were like grasshoppers in their own eyes and in the eyes of the existing inhabitants of the Promised Land. It was a theme last week too, when the Israelites complain about manna and are given a nauseating over-supply of quails, and it will return next week, when the earth opens its mouth and swallows the rebellious Korach and his band. The theme of food and eating is not restricted to the spies report. read more, Scripture: The twelve spies whom Moses sent in to report on the Promised Land saw the same things. Asaph I appreciated our reading of Asaph this morning and recognized that he is remembering those deeds of God as you look through the latter half of Psalm 77 and feeding his heart on the deeds of God for His people. That is, next to the existing inhabitants of the land, we felt and looked small and inconsequential. He would pick up the metal detector and get a signal that was very strong. But there is an even bigger list, a list so big that it makes this first list look puny and small like a little tiny grasshopper its a list of the things in this world which give us hope and strength. He is Creator, Sustainer, Omnipotent and head over heels in love with you! It is disgusting, disappointing and above . Today's Scripture: Numbers 13:33, NKJV - There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight. When they saw the Nepthalim they said they became like "grasshoppers." We want to look at this "grasshopper" complex later in the message. The writer of Hebrews sees that same thing. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth, In Modern America who would want to have a grasshopper complex? Satirized by our childhood and criticized by others, would-be giants often shrink further at the thought of overcoming. God is your refuge you were bought at a price. One that springs to mind is that the spies seem to have been worried in equal measure about being overpowered by the existing inhabitants of the land and being feared by them. John Hagee (January-10-2023) Daily Devotional: Numbers 13:33 - There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight. But let's not allow the "naysayers" to rob us of our confidence in the Lord. We dont need doubt; doubt is our native tongue. He speaks with confidence. How to live on the mountain while living in the valley. Both seem to be a great source of protein. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2022 Copyright Wesaidgotravel. We allow these folks to determine our self-worth. But do your actions & attitudes reflect that? Some of you have been wandering in your own wilderness for a long time. They said, The land we explored devoursits inhabitants. Look at verse 11 of chapter 14. Before a child is born, the parents prepare a room, a bed, some blankets, warm clothes, bottles, His promises are true. I remember recently watching the most recent movie version of The Count of Monte Cristo. supports HTML5 video, Sermon by Is it to instigate fear? And I would call us to examine our hearts today to know that indeed we trust none other save Christ. Our wives and our little ones will become a prey! Its come from reflecting on the fact that God has brought them this far not to forsake them. Bury this Word deep in our hearts and let us produce the fruit of faith, the fruit of good works, the fruit of honor to Christ here within this body and out in the world in the places that Youve planted us, for Your honor and glory. Romans 5:6-For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But the spies retort: We cannot win . They were spread all over the land and could not have easily or quickly come together. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. Isnt it? This report came back and they doubted Gods Word. This is in the midst of the report from the spies: But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it. Then the men who had gone up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are. So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. Billy Dempsey on It doesnt take but one or two doubt-casters to get that ball rolling. My challenge to us is this lets be a people of faith. Their only reported action was to pick a bunch of grapes so large that it required two men to carry. Introduction: One of my favorite Comic scenes, is when Charlie brown goes to Lucy for some counseling advice. Try, If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. We look like grasshoppers to them! The upshot was that the nation trembled at the border of the land that God had promised them. Heres the context: God tells Moses to send scouts to spy out the land of Canaan, to see what the land is like, what types of agriculture it supports, what the people who inhabit it are like, are they strong or weak, are their cities fortified or not? They all will spoil. Why did you go, Why did you die? Hello John. Giants are in the land! I see grasshopper mentality demonstrated in this passage in three ways. Ask Patricia Schultz, 1000 Places to See Before You Die, Millie Goes encourages people to step outside their comfort zone, Who Tells Vivid Visual Stories? There is one little, ruddy-faced boy who has the blessing and power of God on him and he says, "I'll lick that big giant. (verses 1-17) When they got there ten of the men saw problems and had a bad report to delivery but milk, baby food, bath tub, diapers, medicine, toys, etc. Download. asks the Kotzker Rebbe. The children of Israel had to decide whether they were going to enter the land or stay out. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.". We can. They saw deliverance at the Red Sea through which they crossed on dry ground. Copyright, Reproduction & Permission statement. In verse 26, we see that the men came back with a report. You discern my going out and my lying down; If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. We see obstacles; we see challenges. Just as surely as there are grasshoppers in the earth there are giants. Lets read from Numbers chapter 13, beginning with verse 30. The Moabites fear that Israel will devour the land: Numbers 22:2Now Balak son of Zipporsaw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,3and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Speak words of life to us. And there were giants: we were like grasshoppers in their sight . It comes from seeing how God has worked among them. read more, Scripture: In addition to being a people of the Word, lets be a people of faith, trusting God to lead us and to carry us through hardships, to carry us through undesirable circumstances to the place of rest and security that He has for us. One more word about being a doubt-caster. This was the children of Israel's problem in this story. Please contact us in case of abuse. "Of all things," says the boy, "to live in . Those big people in Canaan did not say to the spies, "Hey, you little fellows look like grasshoppers to us.". A naysayer is person that does not believe anything good can come out of the situation. Caleb gives us a great example to follow. Hes a non-factor. We saw the Nephilim. Certainly their attitude was picked up by the majority of the people who say in verse 2 of chapter 14, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! 4. "You cannot see," the boy says when he meets the master for the first time. What kind of people are we? But before that, a request: please add your name to a petition/email campaign here to protect a Palestinian family, the Sumarins, who are facing unjust eviction from their East Jerusalem home. HOW TO HAVE We see in the very last verse of this passage a mindset that is described. I cant serve because I dont know where to start. All you have to do is ask. Should there be questions regarding grammar or theological content, the reader should presume any website error to be with the webmaster/transcriber/editor rather than with the original speaker. They will devour what little you have leftafter the hail, including every tree that is growing in your fields. Faithlife Sermons is now Logos Sermons. His master is blind. Joshua and Caleb believed that God had brought them that far to keep His promise, in light of all that He had done for them to that point, in light of His sure promise to plant them in the land that He had promised their ancestors. For full copyright, reproduction and permission information, please visit the First Presbyterian ChurchCopyright, Reproduction & Permission statement. Fear not, I have redeemed you. 33We saw the Nephilimthere (the descendants of Anakcome from the Nephilim). Do not fear the people of the land. GOD WANTS US TO EXPERIENCE HIS LOVE AND FELLOWSHIP. The main character of the series, Kwai Chang Caine, is played by David Carradine. , . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Spies Like Us from Stephen Wise Temple on Vimeo. 2023 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved, A Bible scholar on the streets of Jerusalem. We'll take a moment to orient ourselves to the passage. Have you ever felt overwhelmed and helpless to do anything about it? Agriculturally speaking, they say, the land indeed flows with milk and honey. Numbers 13:33. Lets be intentional and bold, adventurous in being people of faith. Are we good? Both, they and we, are bounded by Gods promise to do good to those who belong to Him. Its life that we find in Christ. We can do it. Numbers 13:25-33 and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight" (Num. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself that when I am, you may be also. Or Paul in Romans chapter 8 says this, If God is for us, who can be against us? Almost all other occurrences of the word refer to insects, and indeed, the noun associated with this verb, sheretz, means insect. More food. With God at our side, life as a grasshopper in His care is good. In His name we pray and thank You, amen. He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also graciously with Him give us all things?. Lesson number three comes from the great Hassidic master, Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. The passage says they saw the descendants of Anak there. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned and the flame will not consume you. We dont always know how to believe, but unbelief comes to us naturally. 13:33). For this they could be forgiven. Romans 5:6-8, Denomination: I'm the very proud mother of Jacob and Jonah, and I live in Jerusalem with my husband Chaim Milikowsky. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." The ten spies up their game. They get on the southern edge of the Promised Land, and they get a glimpse of this land and its inhabitants. And so we were in their sight An hyperbole, signifying that the Anakims looked down upon them with the utmost contempt. By Dr. Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) Open your Bibles to Numbers, chapter 13, please. Numbers 13:23When they reached the Valley of Eshkol. In verse 32, we see that the doubt-casters spread the word. The people of Israel had been held captives in Israel. Numbers 13:33-14:9, Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." - Numbers 13:31-33. Moses had said: "Be courageous" (13:20). He was in despair, even to the point of saying, All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence, for all the day long I have been stricken. Then he says this, If I had said, I will speak thus, I will say these things out loud, I would have betrayed the generation of Your people. Asaph understands something. In verse 27, they call the promised land the land which you sent us. If you study other scriptures that describe the promised land, you will see language that is described as the land which the Lord swore to give them. They were afraid and fear made them feel disqualified. 2016? Pastor Peter Spragg of Emmanuel Baptist Church (Bloomfield, ON) preaches a sermon called We Seemed Like Grasshoppers. The Three Lessons of the Grasshopper. The doubt-caster begins with we cant and moves to exaggerated truth. . Twelve men were sent out to spy out the land of Canaan. Maybe, as the Midrash suggests, the Canaanites saw them as angels? All the people we saw there are of great size. We can all be guilty of this if we allow it to happen. Imagine how he felt when he realized the signal he was getting was coming from his steel-toed boots. Our confidence is in Him to glorify Himself and to accomplish all the good He intends with us and for us. My photo. In case of abuse. The perception in our mind sometimes tricks us in believing things that are not true. All the people we saw there are of great size. Think about who these people were they had seen God bring plague and hardship on the nation of Egypt and been delivered completely from slavery. They have completely forgotten the promise of God. Send us your ideas and stories to Author@WeSaidGoTravel.com. So get Christ today. He promised to give His people the land of Canaan. All the people we saw there are of great size. The lie comes in the assumption that there is no help for us. His master is blind. The report has three parts. However, the inhabitants are fierce, their cities are well-fortified, and there are even giants there. And so we were in their sight (Numbers 13:33). Has it not been toldyou from the beginning? Power is an amazing tool of deception. The naysayers focused on what was seen instead of the One who was allowing them to see. Required fields are marked *. On my reading, whats significant about them is not that they are small and insignificant in comparison to the natives, but that they can ravage a land. Indeed, Moab was filled with dreadbecause of the Israelites. Well, were not standing before the land but were standing before an unknown year. . We want to look at this grasshopper complex later in the message. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command grasshoppers to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. When they were originally brought to the border of the promised land just this side of the Jordan river, they sent in twelve spies to survey the land and it was a good land because they came back each and every one with a good report of the unspeakable, uncontainable blessings of a Holy and righteous God. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt? Theyre saying, The Lord is bringing us here to kill us! Unbelief, of this sort, carries with it the echo of Eden God is not good. We live the life of faith as we feed our souls on Gods Word, paying attention to the promises Hes made, and as we see from His dealings with us in the past, our own past, our collective past as a congregation, that He is faithful and true. Turn away from every other false hope because it brings nothing. We need a new language. And now they hear through Moses what God has said. Its life that we find in Christ. : . So, the cause of their discouragement was (1) dependence on men not God; (2) listening to the many not the few; (3) heeding the bad news not the good. And in our own eyes, we were like grasshoppers, and so we were in their eyes as well . 7-For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). "Mrs. Smith, something unusual happened today in your sons third grade class. Indeed, we need words of life. There they reported to themand to the whole. read more, Scripture: The Osmond Brothers in the 1970s had a song that said, One bad apple dont spoil the whole bunch. Really? Ten spies bring a negative report. "You think I cannot see," says the master. even the darkness will not be dark to you; you knit me together in my mothers womb. read more, Scripture: Their case comes to court on 30th June. Until yesterday, I assumed, along with most other readers, that the one thats relevant to our verse is in Isaiah: Isaiah 40: 21Do you not know? Is it? We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). Daily faith that we are called upon to exercise more and more as we grow towards maturity in Christ. Well make sure you have a Bible. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. KJ21. But its also a community effort. The same thing happens with a grasshopper mentality. They walked on dry ground through the Red Sea and were fed manna and quail from heaven, given water from a rock and god had even taken this ragtag bunch of nobodies and made them into a great army defeating armies of other kings.
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