Our God who goes before us.

Indeed, as the Israelites suggested,

was it for their benefit that they sent men ahead of themselves 'ahead' of them

to explore the land of Canaan? (Deut. 1:22)

Indeed, was it good to do as Moses said? (v. 23)

What were the consequences of doing so?

The Israelites did not desire to go up to the promised land of Canaan,

and they rebelled against God's command (v. 26).

They complained in their tents, saying,

'Because the Lord hates us, he brought us out of Egypt

to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us' (v. 27).

Is this complaint justified?

No, how can they say that God hates them?

No, how can they say that God brought them out of Egypt to destroy them?

Such a resentful heart does not perceive God's love.

A heart that does not perceive God's love forgets the purpose of God's guidance."

The Israelites, having sent scouts ahead of themselves,

heard the evil report from ten of the twelve scouts,

except for Caleb and Joshua, and became discouraged (Num. 13:28-33),

and furthermore, they complained bitterly to Moses and Aaron throughout the night (14:1-2).

They despised God because they did not believe in Him (v. 11).

The Israelites should have believed in God, who goes before them (Deut. 1:30),

as Moses instructed, and as God commanded them

to go up to the land of Canaan and possess it (v. 21).

They should not have been afraid (vv. 21, 29) or hesitated,

but rather, they should have trusted in God, who goes before them,

guiding them with fire at night and cloud by day (v. 33),

and obeyed God fully, like Caleb (v. 36).

Our God is the God who goes before us.

As we reflect on our individual lives, families, and churches,

we cannot deny that God has led us here before us.

In the future, God will continue to lead us before us.

Therefore, we must believe in God who goes before us and fully obey His word.

We must never go before God.