666. NUM 14:8. JOSHUA AND CALEB’S ENCOURAGING DECLARATION

Num_14:8. Joshua and Caleb’s Encouraging Declaration

"If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring is into this land, and give it us."’97Num_14:8.

Our text is connected with a striking event in the history of the Israelites. Twelve spies were sent to report on the land which God had promised them. See chap. Num_13:17, &c. Ten of these spies reported unfavorably: Num_14:32. This report spread dismay in the camp of Israel: chap. Num_14:1. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly, &c.: Num_14:5. Joshua and Caleb had brought a good report, &c.: xiii. 30. And now they endeavor to cheer and comfort the hearts of the people, &c.

Let us lose sight of the Israelites, and direct our thoughts to the universal family of God; and look beyond Canaan to the heavenly land.

Our text contains,

I. A supposition.

"If the Lord delight in us," &c.

II. An inference.

"Then he will bring us into this land," &c

I. The text contains a supposition.

"If the Lord delight in us," &c. Prov. viii.; xxx.

God delights in his Son, &c. He delights in holy angels, &c. But have we reason to suppose that he delights in his saints?

1. We might conclude, indeed, that he could not delight in them.

When we reflect,

(1.) On their nothingness and vanity. "Man at his best estate," &c.

(2.) At their guilt and rebellion. Not one, but is a sinner.

(3.) At their pollution, and want of conformity to his likeness. And more especially when we reflect on his greatness, independency, and purity.

2. But there are the most satisfactory evidences that he does delight in his people.

(1.) Observe the names by which he distinguishes them. He calls them his jewels’97inheritance’97treasure’97diadem’97crown and portion. See the very term in the text. Pro_11:20.

(2.) Observe the declarations he has made respecting them. "He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye." He has engaged his constant presence’97his unremitting care’97his ceaseless goodness’97his tender mercy’97his gracious interpositions’97his richest gifts’97his greatest blessings.

(3.) Observe what he has done for them. Favored them’97sustained them’97redeemed them’97given his Son’97Spirit’97promises.

(4.) What he has provided for them. All needful grace. "The Lord God is a sun," &c. "My God shall supply," &c. "Eye hath not seen," &c.

(5.) Eternal life, and unceasing glory.

"His saints are precious in his sight, He views his children with delight," &c.

Notice, then,

II. The inference.

"Then he will bring us into this land," &c.

Observe here,

1. The land specified.

It is the land afar off. The good land. The heavenly Canaan. The region of immortality. We shall not live here always. Need this rest, &c.

"There is a land of pure delight," &c.

2. This land is God’s gift.

Not the result of merit’97free gift of God. It is given in promise’97given in Christ. Purchased inheritance.

3. To this land God must bring his saints.

Difficulties, enemies, and dangers intervene. He will guide to it. Keep’97safely conduct, and at length, put his people into it, as he did Israel. "Fear not, little flock," &c. "Let not your heart be troubled," &c. Rev_2:10 and Rev_2:26; Rev_3:5 and Rev_3:12. Oh, yes; the inference is satisfactory, and most conclusive. Let,

(1.) Christians expect it, and live in reference to it.

(2.) Invite others to go with you, to the better land.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS