Let's look at Numbers 13-14 through the lens of the rest of Scripture.
The Exodus is the great redemptive event of the Old Testament. The Exodus is the “new creation” of the Old Testament. Just as God created Adam as his son – his image – in Genesis 1-2, so also God declares Israel to be his son – his firstborn – in Ex 4. Just as God brought Noah through the Flood – and destroys the wicked, so also he brings Israel through the Red Sea – and destroys the wicked.
But in the same way that Exodus tells the story of Israel as a new creation, using “Eden-language” in the construction of the tabernacle – speaking of the Promised Land in terms of the restoration of creation – the story of the Exodus includes the “fall” of Israel. And in the narrative of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, there are two rebellions that stand out:
- the idolatry with the golden calf at Sinai (Exodus 32) - and the unbelief at Kadesh (Numbers 13-14).
These two rebellions become the archetypal rebellions in Israel’s history.
The prophets and psalms regularly reflect back on Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness – but even more common are the themes and images that were introduced here.
At the heart of the whole story, after all, is the fact that Israel rejected the promises to Abraham. Remember the promise to Abraham? There are three parts: the land, the seed, and the blessing to the nations. (Genesis 12:1-3) Here in Numbers 14, Israel rejects the whole thing!
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