Israel entered into covenant with God at Mount Sinai. However, before it even left the mountain, the nation established a pattern of rebellion against the Lord.

First, Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on Sinai, receiving the Law. After several weeks' absence, the people assumed he had died. So they pressured Aaron, Moses' brother, to make them a new god. The idol took the form of a golden calf used in the fertility religions of Canaan. As "worship," the people feasted and engaged in all kinds of sexual immorality (see Bare Roots 2.2).

When Moses returned, he got so angry that he shattered the stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments. And God got so angry that He threatened to destroy the whole nation and start over with Moses. Only Moses' prayers saved the people (Exod 32).

Second, God commanded Israel to build a Tabernacle, a Tent to serve as His "home" among the people and as the center of worship (see Bare Roots 14.4). The Lord appointed Aaron and others from the tribe of Levi to serve as priests, or mediators between Himself and the nation. The priests prayed for the people, taught them God's ways, offered sacrifices on their behalf, cared for the sick, and performed other services (see Exod 25-31, 35-40; Leviticus).

However, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led a rebellion of 250 leaders who refused to limit the priesthood to a single tribe. In response, the Lord caused the earth to open up and swallow the rebels. He also made Aaron's staff bud, blossom, and produce almonds to demonstrate that only Levites should serve as priests (Num 16-17).

Third, Moses sent twelve spies to explore the land of Canaan, which the Lord had promised to Abraham's descendants (Num 13-14). When they returned, ten of the spies brought a frightening report:

The people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large...We seemed like grasshoppers...to them. (Num 13:28, 33)

Only Joshua from the tribe of Ephraim and Caleb from the tribe of Judah trusted in God. They urged, "The LORD is with us. Do not be afraid" (Num 14:9).

Nevertheless, the people refused to follow God into Canaan. In response, the Lord swore that no one from that generation, except for Joshua and Caleb, would enter the Promised Land. All would die during 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Num 14).

As the years passed, the Lord began to move Israel closer to Canaan. Jewish armies defeated Sihon and Og, who ruled the territory east of the Jordan River in what is now the country of Jordan (Num 21, 32). But in response to God's goodness, Israel joined the Moabites in worshipping the god Baal (Num 25).

In the 40th year, Moses gathered a new generation of Israelites on the east bank of Jordan for a "second telling of the Law" (the meaning of the word "Deuteronomy") and renewal of the Covenant. Then God allowed Moses to climb Mount Pisgah, look across the Jordan River, and see the Promised Land before he died (Deut 34).

At Moses' death, the Lord appointed Joshua to lead His people. By God's power, Israel crossed the Jordan River and destroyed the city of Jericho, gaining a foothold in Canaan (Josh 1-6).

Over the remaining decades of Joshua's life, his armies fanned out to the north and south, completing the Conquest of much of Canaan (Josh 7-13). Joshua then distributed the land among the tribes (Josh 14-22).

In spite of Israel's constant rebellion, the Lord kept His covenant promises to Abraham. His descendants became a great nation and possessed the land of Canaan.

Reflect...

1. During the wilderness wanderings, God sustained the Israelites with water, manna, and quail. How did the people respond to God's provision? Why? See Exodus 16-17 and Numbers 11. (Note that the Hebrew word "manna" means "What is it?"
   
   
2. Read Hebrews 3:7-4:13. What lessons for Christians does the author draw from Israel's experience in the desert?
   
   
3. Read Joshua 6:15-7:26 concerning the battles for Jericho and Ai. How did Achan endanger the nation and what was the outcome?
   
   
4. Read Deuteronomy 28. Did God guarantee that Israel would keep the land of Canaan forever?

Christopher A. Davis, Ph.D.
Professor of New Testament
Hope International University
Fullerton, California

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