Twelve men were sent out to spy out the land of Canaan. Grasshoppers and locusts are of the same insect order. Numbers 13:17-33. read more, Scripture: 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. Surrounded by injustice, actual and threatened, in these terrible times, you may wonder why you should spend even a moment of your time on this single family. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). If you think you're an insect, don't be surprised when everybody around you treats you like an insect - looks upon you like a worm, or a beetle, or a bug! They said, "The land we explored devours its inhabitants. They may have been giants who were strong and tall. And Edmond Dantes of course crying out to God for justice and mercy, the jailor says, You cry out to God. In fact, you will remember that the apostle Paul describes saving faith as the gift of God. We dont come to saving faith, that is, the confidence that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are sufficient to reconcile us to God and cause us to be adopted as His sons and daughters. The lie comes in the assumption that there is no help for us. 28So tell them, As surely as I live,declares theLord, I will do to youthe very thing I heard you say:29In this wilderness your carcasses will fallevery one of you twenty years old or morewho was counted in the censusand who has grumbled against me. He immediately started digging to found the prize. And now they hear through Moses what God has said. 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. Thank You, our Father, that Your thoughts are not our thoughts and Your ways are not our ways. I cant serve the Lord because of what I have done in my past. If that were true, none of us could serve. The main character of the series, Kwai Chang Caine, is played by David Carradine. We are still grappling with the challenge of how to rule justly a land in which the strangers who live among us are the people we once conquered. Or, perhaps, as fierce and clever warriors. With God at our side, life as a grasshopper in His care is good. He is amazed. The working title of my next book, co-authored with Micha Price, is 'A Biblical Guide to the Climate Crisis'. Well take a moment to orient ourselves to the passage. Those big people in Canaan did not say to the spies, "Hey, you little fellows look like grasshoppers to us.". The children of Israel had to decide whether they were going to enter the land or stay out. We cant find out what August will be like. Psalm 78:41, Numbers 13:1-33, Denomination: In verse 30, Caleb says: He shows some heart. The land that God promised them the land and they only had to go and process it. God is good. If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. 21There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. Num 13:32 All the men we saw in it are men of great stature. We must learn to dream big for God for As A Man Thinks In His Heart, So Is He (Pro. For this they could be forgiven. read more. They told Moses they had seen great clusters of grapes, but that there were great giants in the land. Well, lets think a bit about the ten spies and their judging the challenge before the nation with no reckoning of confidence in God. 15The community is to have the same rules for you and for the stranger residing among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. . 23:7). First, I see it demonstrated through naysayers. He shows bravery and courage. And then, perhaps the most devastating part of all, the ten spies say that when they scouted out the land they came across the Nephilim, the fallen ones, the sons of Anak, the giant. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." The ten spies up their game. Please add your name to the petition/email campaign to protect the Sumarin family here. One last lesson thats really about right now, this place and this moment: There is in this world much of which to be afraid. Over 600,000 Israelites were delivered from the captivity in Egypt and wandered for years in the wilderness anticipating going into the Promised Land, which the Bible describes as flowing with milk and honey. b : an illustrious warrior c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one that shows great courage We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them., Todays message is called, Overcoming Grasshopper Mentality.. 22Of these you may eat any kind of locust,katydid, cricket or grasshopper. 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? That includes your mind by the way. 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? The midrash asks how the spies could have known how they were seen to others. WHY DO WE DO THAT? That person will always say no and have a pessimistic or negative view of the outcome. Numbers 13:1-33. The grasshopper mentality always begins with a low estimate of ourselves. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.. This report came back and they doubted Gods Word. I remember as a kid watching the TV series called "KUNG FU" staring David Caradine. JESUS WANTS US TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND BE HIS FRIEND SO WE CAN BE LIKE HIM. David, 1 Samuel 17, upon seeing Goliath and hearing his taunts to the army of Israel for the first time, asks this question. Monday, 09 January 2023 23:21. A naysayer is person that does not believe anything good can come out of the situation. Step On the Grasshoppers! The naysayers focused on what was seen instead of the One who was allowing them to see. There they reported to themand to the whole. When we limit the power of God in our life to accomplish the impossible, To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. It runs throughout the parsha. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. Isaiah 43 listen to what the prophet Isaiah, speaking on Gods behalf at Gods inspiration, says to the people of God. Notice how the grasshopper mentality is demonstrated. And that spectacular display of Gods glory and power at Sinai. Our confidence is in Him to glorify Himself and to accomplish all the good He intends with us and for us. 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. The theme of food and eating is not restricted to the spies report. Do you hear the grasshopper which is at your feet?. Since then, since the realization of that promise, Hes made abundant promises to His people that have to do with His presence, with our wellbeing, with the bright future Hes planned for all that are His. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of The idiom to cover the eye of the land occurs twice in Exodus 10 (verses 5 and 15), where it refers to locusts: Exodus 10:4If you refuseto let them go, I will bring locustsinto your country tomorrow. Published in Daily Devotionals by Joel Osteen. read more, Scripture: Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. The spies who go out into the land see many things but what, ultimately, do they understand? If I say, Surely the darkness will hide me. 1 a : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. But theres another thing we do as well. God had made them giant-killers, but they chose to see themselves as mere grasshoppers. Old man, how is it that you hear these things? asks the boy. The Israelites far outnumbered all of these groups combined. That just makes them a bigger target. Anxiety about being feared is an inauspicious emotion for would-be conquerors, who should want their enemies to fear them. - , . They had a "grasshopper mentality.". Thats the first matter of faith that we have to occupy yourselves with here this morning. It was the teacher from her sons school. WE ARE AS GRASSHOPPERS IN THEIR SIGHT. Numbers 14:27How long will this wicked community grumble against me? read more, Scripture: Lets read from Numbers chapter 13, beginning with verse 30. 33We saw the Nephilimthere (the descendants of Anakcome from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes. I talk to many people that have this mentality. We end one year and prepare to begin another. Here is its fruit. To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them." And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Its a new birth we find in Christ. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. This is the first of three references to carcasses in this passage. We are not grasshoppers but we are called to BEWARE. There is no other save Christ. In His name we pray and thank You, amen. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. If you would open your Bibles to Numbers chapter 13. Sunday, 15 May 2022 23:27. We seem to ourselves like grasshoppers and so we seem to them. Theyre saying, We are not enough to face what is before us, and theres no lie there. As we do so, I bring you season's greetings. We nourish our choices to trust God. We form our understanding from what God tells us. Is it? The Bibles in the bookstore are all gone, those one-year chronological Bibles, but were ordering more tomorrow if you want to participate just call the church office. 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. You and I are rarely enough to face what is before us, but its not all the truth either. They saw that this was indeed everything that God had told them it was BUT TEN OF THOSE TWELVE EXPLORERS NOTICED THE SIZE OF THE ENEMY WAITING TO BE DEFEATED. It comes from seeing how God has worked among them. God uses trials, as you know, and hardships in our lives for many things; things really too numerous to mention. In case of abuse. There we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." Christian Standard Bible We even saw the Nephilim therethe descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim! Part 14 - Matthew 10:18-19 - Grasshopper, Expect The Unexpected! Amen? We want to look at this grasshopper complex later in the message. The report they bring back has two main themes, the existing inhabitants of the land and, our focus here, food. 14: 6-15 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 see you as grasshoppers, they see you as angels what difference does it make? We trust none other to be right with God save the person of Jesus Christ and the work that He has done on our behalf to save sinners. So, he would dig some more. We need to teach one another that language. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Gods people need to trust Him, needs to learn how to trust Him. We can love more. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! And four. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We see in the very last verse of this passage a mindset that is described. Everest. "We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." Our own eyes. It happened with the Israelites. You can read about their long and complex history here and here. My last book was 'From Forbidden Fruit to Milk and Honey: A Commentary on Food in the Torah'; proceeds go to Leket, Israel's national food bank. Numbers 13:33. How do we live that life of faith? More food. Here we see the naysayer seeing the obstacles instead of the Omnipotent. Our Scripture today gives us the report from these spies: They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. This is the first sermon in a series on. Directly after his reference to the land flowing with milk and honey, Joshua makes another allusion to food. And Father, Your intention and promise is to send forth Your Word that it would accomplish all that You intend before it returns to You. Saving faith is the first priority of faith. Twelve men were sent out to spy out the land of Canaan. Now only can we see grasshopper mentality in this passage defined and demonstrated, because of the grace of God, we can see it dissolved! Now I see it differently. I cant serve you because I dont have the right opportunity. Unbelief always sees the obstacles but faith sees the opportunities. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, who come of the giants. Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. Thats verse 2 of chapter 13. Numbers 13:30Then Calebsilenced the people before Moses and said, We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.. Have you not understoodsince the earth was founded? . But they say, We cant take this land. A couple of years ago around this time of year I was sitting right up there in that portion of the balcony up there and Ralph Kelley was preaching and challenged us at the beginning of 2018 to be a people of the Word. The naysayers of the grasshopper mentality will eventually make doubt-casters. My photo. 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. Numbers 15:14For the generations to come,whenever a stranger or anyone else living among you presents a foodofferingas an aroma pleasing to theLord, they must do exactly as you do. How to live on the mountain while living in the valley. But take heart! TOPIC: The Mountain Top They looked only at the size of the obstacle and the threat of the enemy instead of fixing their eyes on. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. Charlie brown, I read this week of some fears that Finally, back in our parsha, the challah offering thats specified in Numbers 15 becomes obligatory once the Israelites have eaten their first meal in the land: Numbers 15:17 TheLordsaid to Moses,18Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land to which I am taking you19and you eat the food of the land,present a portion as an offering to theLord. For they are stronger than we - , .. But the men who had gone up with him said, We cant attack those people; they are stronger than we are.. Its the natural disposition, the default position of our hearts. 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. What do you care how you appear in the eyes of others. (Itturey Torah, 5, p. 83), their sin wasnt simply that they lost faith or that the scouts had misrepresented what they had seen Their failure wasnt even that they had low self-esteem, that they saw themselves as grasshoppers. Please try again or choose an option below. One is, What does the passage teach us about faith? I'm the very proud mother of Jacob and Jonah, and I live in Jerusalem with my husband Chaim Milikowsky. I assume that this is something like one meaning of the English idiom, to eat them alive to decimate them. A naysayer will only see part of the picture instead of the whole thing. Lesson number one, young grasshoppers: there are many ways of knowing, many ways of seeing, many ways of apprehending and sensing. God had already promised them the promised land. Grapes, Giants, Grasshoppers and God Numbers 13:17-13:33 For the foolishness of God is wiser than mans wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than mans strength. Part 14 - Matthew 10:18-19 - GRASSHOPPER, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; When I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Please participate by adding your voice to our growing global community. And I would call us to examine our hearts today to know that indeed we trust none other save Christ. Will we have fooled God? Why did you go, Why did you die? What are the implications of this new reading of looking like grasshoppers? Too often we see ourselves as nothing DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 6): DO NOT LIMIT GOD IN THE POWER OF YOUR IMAGINATION I AM NOT A GRASSHOPPER 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. Its life that we find in Christ. You may sit here today and say I live a pretty good life Brother Mike so I must be in the promised land youre preaching about, Matthew 6:25-34 (read) Jesus said that our needs will be met and well be provided for, can you see that? The Three Lessons of the Grasshopper. When they saw the Nepthalim they said they became like "grasshoppers." We want to look at this "grasshopper" complex later in the message. Before a child is born, the parents prepare a room, a bed, some blankets, warm clothes, bottles, What have they, as a nation, seen? He says, Lets go and possess not Lets go and conquer. God had already promised. But its also a community effort. We despise Him. As he understood Goliath, an imposing man, a terrifying man, but a man! Ill stop the moment He shows up. Unbelief tells us, God wont be showing up. Thats the attitude of the spies who bring the bad report. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. In Israel, I've taught Bible at Hebrew University's International School and, currently, in the Department of Biblical Studies at Tel Aviv University, where I am a Teaching Fellow and chair the Academic Steering Committee of the Orit Guardians MA program for Ethiopian Jews. And there were giants: we were like grasshoppers in their sight . Will we have fooled ourselves? So live as a grasshopper, bringing glory and honor to God in all you do for Him and for all you do for those around you. 27They gave Moses this account: We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight" (Num. The passage says something about our responsibility to one another. God brought them there to keep faith, not to destroy them. Would you like to write for WeSaidGoTravel? As noted above, other than the lands existing inhabitants, the only subject of interest to the spies is food, and the only physical evidence they bring home is edible. How could they know this? THEME: How to live on the mountain while living in the valley. Look at verse 11 of chapter 14. Sermon by Billy Dempsey on December 29, 2019. . 8-But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died Bearing in mind all this food, lets turn to the end of the spies report. Its a new beginning. One interesting fact is that they have ears on their bellies. We look like grasshoppers to them! The upshot was that the nation trembled at the border of the land that God had promised them. God sets the barrier very high. How do we access that? John 3:16 Numbers 13:25-14:10, Denomination: You are saying to the One who created time, you dont have time? This article is adapted from a sermon given at the San Francisco (California) Central church on November 19, 2011. . He checked his signal again. "We were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so we were in their eyes" (Bamidbar, 13:33) In this unique syntax, the Torah teaches us a psychological principle of the greatest importance: The way you feel about yourself is how you think others perceive you. I see grasshopper mentality demonstrated in this passage in three ways. wonderfuljesus8 April 8, 2018 Faith, Victorious Living Abraham, Faith, frame of reference, Grasshopper, hard times. Heres His response as He questions Moses. In a speech to King Solomon in 2 Chronicles about the power of prayer, God mentions grasshoppers in a context where we would expect locusts to appear: 2 Chronicles 7:12 The Lord appeared to him [Solomon] at night and said: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. But here is what . The other groups would have never been as united and their efforts would have failed. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Parashat Shelach-Lcha Shabbat sermon at Stephen S Wise Temple. Lesson number three, young grasshoppers: Worry less about how others see you and more about who you are and about who you are capable of becoming. Is it to instigate fear? His word is infallible. Strong as it could be. Lesson number three comes from the great Hassidic master, Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. Caleb gives us a great example to follow. Lets be a people who are intentional about trusting God, not just when the whim lands upon us, but intentional as we face things that we dont want to be involved in or things that seem too big for us, to trust God to see what He might do to help us accomplish all that He intends for us to accomplish as individuals, as families, as a congregation of His people. Still nothing. We can be more.
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