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The next hindrance was twofold. Satan had profited by the delay and had peopled the
land of promise in advance with his own usurping seed. Lot, by reason of his kinship
with Abraham, kept back the realization of the promised possession until by sheer force
of circumstances he was compelled to `separate'. This too has a full lesson which is
expounded in more than one passage of the N.T.
Only when Terah and Lot are either dead or separated, can Abraham enjoy the
firstfruits of his inheritance. He then saw it and walked through it, although still
possessing not a foot of it except by faith. This however is as far as we can attain in this
life, and the lesson which Genesis teaches is of perennial value. There are other aspects
of this same truth which must be considered in subsequent articles, sufficient is before us
surely, to call for the exercise of heart and mind.
No.5.
The sending of the spies.
pp. 132 - 136
The opening words of Numb. 13: seem to teach that the sending of the spies by
Moses was in harmony with the will of the Lord.
"And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Send thou men, that they may search the
land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel."
So also, the words of Christ to Thomas could be interpreted when He said "Thomas,
reach hither thy finger"; nevertheless we know that it would have been more blessed had
Thomas believed without such evidence.
In chapter 10: of the book of Numbers we read these words:
"And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days journey: and the ark of the
covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days journey, TO SEARCH OUT a
resting place for them" (Numb. 10: 33).
Here we find the identical word used that is afterwards used of the spies. "That they
may search the land", "To spy out the land". Altogether the Hebrew word tur occurs
thirteen times in Numb. 10: to 14:, an ominous number, associated in the Scriptures with
rebellion.
Notice what the spies were to include in their report, whether the land was `good or
bad', `fat or lean'. Surely if God Himself had chosen this land for their possession, and
had described it as a land flowing with milk and honey, it hardly seems to be the exercise
of faith or trust to send spies to see whether it be `fat or lean'!
The `three days journey' already mentioned seems to suggest that the Risen Christ has
gone ahead, and is sufficient pledge concerning the nature of the inheritance that awaits