Many of us are familiar with the story of Israel sending the twelve spies into the Promised Land in Numbers 13–14. When ten of the spies (all but Joshua and Caleb) report back that there is no hope for defeating the giants who live in the land, Israel loses heart and decides to head back to Egypt. Moses pleads with them to reconsider and trust that God will give them the land, but they refuse to listen. God responds by threatening to destroy Israel and start over with Moses, but Moses intercedes on Israel’s behalf and saves them from judgment. While God relents from destroying Israel, He swears, “not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.” (Numbers 14:30 ESV)

Because only Joshua and Caleb trusted God, only Joshua and Caleb would enter the Promised Land.

But wait a second—Joshua and Caleb were not the only two who trusted God. Moses also trusted God. In fact, Moses begged Israel to reconsider and follow the advice of Joshua and Caleb.

Have you ever read this passage from Moses’ perspective? He was caught between God and people he loved who didn’t want to live for God.

Have you ever been caught in that place?

This week we are going to look at a familiar passage from an unfamiliar perspective. We are going to see how Moses navigated this difficult position of being caught between God and loved ones who didn’t want to live for God.

There are some good things here for us to learn.

See you Sunday.