speaking up when its not popular (Numbers 14:1-12)

Its very hard to be unpopular, to speak up when the majority seem to have a different mindset. In the below passage Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb do just that. They are trying to stay true to a God who has led them out of Egypt and wants to lead them to the promised land.

Numbers 14:1-12 (http://www.biblegateway.com)

New International Version (NIV)

 

The People Rebel

14 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. ² All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! ³ Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” ⁴ And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

 

⁵ Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. ⁶ Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes ⁷ and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. ⁸ If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. ⁹ Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

¹⁰ But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. ¹¹ The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? ¹² I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.”

Do you ever feel like God is asking you to do something that is not popular? Perhaps its to take a stance, to behave differently, not to partake in a certain activity, to bring a matter up to a friend who has miss- stepped, etc.

Are we willing to be a Moses, an Aaron, a Joshua or a Caleb? Are we willing to take a stance for our God, for what is right?

Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus hymn

Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus - Promise Keepers