Even when sin is forgiven there can be consequences (v20-23). The seriousness of their sin is increased because they had previously seen the wonder of God’s actions in delivering them from Egypt (v22). We need to realise that when we have come to understand and trust in the wonder of the salvation at the cross, our sin becomes more serious. It is more serious as we have become more aware of the greatness of the God we sin against.

In Caleb and Joshua God sees a different and a pleasing spirit (v24 &30). Even among God’s people the truly faithful can be a small minority.

God judges the people by now saying they will spend forty years in the wilderness until all men over the age of twenty have died (v26-35). The Lord also struck down with plague the ten bad spies (v36-37). Sin brings consequences, we must fear sin.

The people have in one way a change of heart and they now decide to enter the Promised Land (v39-45). It ends in defeat and retreat because they still are acting in disobedience to God who had now barred them from the land.

For believers and churches there is the great need not to be presumptuous and not to seek to advance without the Lord’s presence.