We all remember the story of God leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.  But did you know this generation that was supernaturally delivered out of slavery and bondage from Egypt spent their lives in the wilderness, died there, and never did enter into the Promised Land?

Hebrews 3:16-17 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?  Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?

Why not?  We know that was NOT God’s will.  He gave them that land.  He wanted them to go in and possess it!!

Numbers 13:1-2 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

Scripture tells us why.

After surveying the land, they came back boasting of the good of the land (flowing with milk and honey, great fruit), but they did not believe they could defeat the giants in the land.  (Numbers 13:26-28)

The Israelites did not believe the word of the Lord which He had given them about the land being theirs.  As a result, they spent their lives in the wilderness, grumbling and complaining that God had brought them out of Egypt just to die.

Hebrews 3:18-19 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Only Joshua and Caleb-two of the thousands that came out of the Land of Egypt entered the Promised Land because they believed the word of God and were willing to go in and take the land.

Numbers 14:27-30 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.

The writer of Hebrews warns the Hebrews and us, not to fall into unbelief, using the Israelites as an example:

Hebrews 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

The Promised Land awaited the Israelites. God only required that they hear what He asked them to do, trust Him, and be obedient. But because of their unbelief, they did not listen and obey His word and missed out on God’s plans for them.

Don’t have a fatalistic attitude, thinking God sovereignly controls how everything will work out in your life either good or bad!  You have a part to play – it’s called faith!!  He gives us His Word, great promises, and divine favor but it must be received by faith and acted upon.

Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

God in His sovereign control has given the earth to man (Genesis 1:28).  But God’s plans, favor and blessing is appropriated (taken) through relationship by His grace through faith.  The Bible says the just shall live by faith. It is impossible to please God without it. (Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 10:38) When we believe and act in faith, these spiritual blessings become physical realities.

The Israelites died in the wilderness because God’s word to them about the Promised Land was not received with faith.  If you think you don’t have to have faith and go in and possess the promise, you will not enter your promised land whether it be: where to live, where to work, how to manage your money, living in health, or any of the promises of God!