For three months, Israel traveled until they reached Mount Sinai, where they stayed for some time. There, Moses received the tablets of the Law and broke them upon seeing the people abandon morality and celebrate the making of a golden calf, used to represent the Lord (Exodus 32:19). This moment of idolatry was concerning because God almost destroyed them at that place. So, they departed from Sinai, also called Mount Horeb.

Horeb means dry, desolate. The journey aimed to reach Kadesh-Barnea, where they were to ascend the mountains of the Amorites and begin to take possession of the promised land. However, their hidden disobedience made Moses ask the Lord for permission to send spies to the place. These men had the mission to verify if the region was as God had said. This consultation with the Most High should never have been made, as it suggests that they doubted the divine statements about Canaan.

They must have spent about 11 days walking from Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea. However, as their expectations were poor, they requested the sending of spies, which was granted to them. The result of the analysis was disastrous: ten out of the group of twelve brought back the bad news, and this contaminated the hearts of the Israelites (Deuteronomy 1:22-33). The people despaired and wished to elect a captain to take them back to Pharaoh. They simply wanted to destroy the work of the Lord!

When the believer gives up walking with Jesus, it shows that they have been in the enemy's hands for a long time. How will people be happy if they are dominated by the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44)? We need to teach the people not to abandon the Most High, but if that happens, to know how to return to the arms of God with repentance. The Lord does not reject a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).

The journey from Sinai was short, but very difficult in the end. The walk was arduous, as the desert was vast and filled with everything that hindered people's happiness. However, the expectations were good, so nothing discouraged them. Life on Earth is not always ideal, but those who do not face it while serving God might even think of shortening it. No one should accept that idea. The individual who cowers from life denies being happy forever.

Israel traveled the path through the mountains of the Amorites without realizing that the journey was coming to an end. After all, God had prepared everything for the Israelites to possess Canaan, starting with the land of the Amorites. The news would spread, and the Lord's promise would be fulfilled in its entirety. They sent the spies and, because of the report they heard, they feared the opponents, who were nothing before the Almighty. Thus, they wandered for 40 years!

Certainly, besides the hornets that later drove many inhabitants out before them, Israel would have a large territory (Genesis 15:18-21; Exodus 23:28). A request from the tribal leaders made God allow the spies to be sent. He knew that the bad news would make them wander for many years!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares